2013-2014 Mentors
Elizabeth Baltierrez – Undergraduate Student
Elizabeth is a junior, majoring in Biology with a minor in Spanish. She describes herself as a very open-minded individual. An avid coffee drinker, Elizabeth likes to meet new people and try new activities. Her biggest interests include reading, cooking, and watching TV. When asked why she wants to get involved as a mentor, Elizabeth says, “I feel that I can help someone who is in need of a listening partner or give advice without being judged.” According to her, good qualities of a mentoring relationship are feeling comfortable, and effective communication. Elizabeth is available to be a mentor during both semesters.
Kristin Batsel – Undergraduate Student
Kristin will be a junior during the fall semester, and is majoring in Sociology (criminology emphasis) with a Communication minor. Kristin loves to be involved, whether in physical activities (fencing, country & east coast swing dancing, tennis, archery and kickboxing), student involvement or volunteering. Describing herself as an “All-American girl,” Kristin is an avid art lover, clarinet player, reader, and outdoor lover. Kristin wants to get involved because the program is “A place where they can receive support and non-biased opinions when building relationships with other students that have encountered similar problems or dilemmas in their lives.” She hopes to build a two-sided mentoring relationship based on trust, support, guidance and encouragement. Kristin is available to be a mentor during both semesters.
Chelsea Bonman – Undergraduate Student
A Secondary Education (English emphasis) major, Chelsea will be a senior in fall 2013. An active member of her sorority, she is also a member of Student Support Services and Vandal Connect employee. Chelsea is a music lover, and has been playing the violin for seven year. She also loves puns, and all seasons of the year. She is seeking to get more involved with campus life through this program, and believes that qualities of a good mentoring relationship are built on knowledge, and most importantly, empathy and understanding – “they go hand-in-hand.” Chelsea is available to be a mentor during both semesters.
Jessica Lake – Undergraduate Student
Jessica will be a junior during the fall of 2013, and is majoring in Chemical Engineering/Chemistry, and minoring in Material Science Engineering. A lover of dancing, anything outdoors, basketball, volleyball and other sports, Jessica describes herself as a very friendly and outgoing person. She enjoys making new friends constantly. She wants to get involved because she loves meeting new people, and knows the value of learning from someone who has gone through the process before. Jessica prefers to mentor an incoming engineering or science major, or someone interested in these topics. She is available during both semesters.
Tarin Leach – Undergraduate Student
Tarin is a Studio Art (sculpture and painting) senior, and is getting a minor in Sociology. An easy-going and charismatic individual, her artistic work focuses on social sculpture, the “us vs. them” binary, and how conceptual and physical violence can be diminished. Her hobbies include outdoor activities, reading, socializing, and writing. She is “interested in women strengthening women and the value of healthy relationships.” Tarin is also a single mother to a young son, and understands navigating the college atmosphere as such. She is available as a mentor for both semesters.
Nicole Lichtenberg – Undergraduate Student
Nicole is an anthropology major, and will be a junior in the fall semester. She was born in California, and moved to Idaho as a young child. She enjoys knitting, thrift store shopping, reading, shooting, and the domestic arts. Nicole is a past Women’s Center work-study student, and offers a lot of knowledge about how to navigate the first few years of college. She is available as a mentor for both semesters.
Erica McGee – Undergraduate Student
A senior studying Nutrition and Pre-Physician’s Assistant studies, Erica describes herself as hardworking, loyal, and positive. She loves hanging out with friends, outdoor activities and traveling, as evidenced by her study abroad experience in Italy. Her summer plans include traveling to Nicaragua to be part of a global health and community development program. According to her, “This program will give me the opportunity to give back to the school that I have loved so much and help another student to see how wonderful college and the U of I can be.” Erica will be graduating in December, and will only be available for the fall semester.
Alexandra Medina – Undergraduate Student
Alexandra is majoring in Psychology, and is pursuing minors in Spanish and Addiction studies. Her hobbies include cooking, painting, drawing/doodling, and hanging out with her friends. She really enjoys studying her major, and learning. Qualities of a good mentoring relationship, to her, are honesty, openness, trust, open-minded, and acceptance. Alexandra is interested in getting involved because she wants to help new Vandals out. She is available as a mentor for both semesters.
Erika Newman – Undergraduate Student
Erika will be a senior in the fall, majoring in English (Creative Writing). She is very involved with the University, as she has an internship for UI’s literary journal as a reader, and is President/Campus Coordinator for UI VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood. A passionate feminist, Erika enjoys educating students about sexual health and legislative issues pertaining to reproductive rights. Her hopes for joining the mentoring program include helping students find their niches on campus, and becoming part of their support network. Erika will be available for both semesters.
Britnee Packwood – Undergraduate Student
Britnee is majoring in Resource Recreation & Tourism, as well as Public Relations. She also has a minor in Parks, Protected Areas and Wilderness Conservation. A 5th year senior, she has been working for a rafting company for 7 years. She loves anything to do with the outdoors: rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and hiking. She also is an avid crafter and baker, sews her own clothing and was a member of the Vandal Marching Band for four years. Britnee wants to help out by helping her mentee make connections and new friends. She is committed to meeting consistently with her mentee, and is looking forward to the opportunity to share the resources she has gained. She will be available as a mentor for both fall and spring semesters.
Colleen Phillips – Undergraduate Student
A senior in Theatre Arts and Landscape Architecture, Colleen is the President of her sorority. She describes herself as being an outgoing woman who likes to go with the flow. She is very involved with both Greek Life and Theatre Arts. Colleen is looking to “give back to the Vandal Community that has already given me so much” by helping incoming first year students. For her, the biggest quality of a mentoring relationship is the willingness of both parties to learn from each other. She will be available as a mentor for both fall and spring semesters.
Katie Shae – Undergraduate Student
Katie is a senior, majoring in Psychology and Organizational Sciences and minoring in Communications. She is from a small Alaska town, and has lived in both the residence halls and a Greek house. Katie has many interests, and enjoys doing crafts and art projects. She lives to spend time with her friends and family, and is looking to get involved in outdoor activities. She wants to be a positive influence in her mentee’s life, and wants to help out with navigating college life. Katie knows that effective communication is key in a good mentoring relationship, as well as trust and mutual respect. She will be available as a mentor for both fall and spring semesters.
Michelle Sing – Undergraduate Student
Michelle will be a senior in the fall semester, and is an Anthropology and Spanish major. She is also pursuing a minor in Teaching English as Second Language. She enjoys reading, writing, soccer, music, drawing, sports, cooking, outdoors and video games. She is adventurous, and interested in social issues. Michelle is looking to pass on her knowledge about the University and life, and says, “I want to be able to help out anyone who is feeling a little lost so we can be lost together.” Qualities of a good mentoring relationship are, for her, open communication, openness, and good listening (among others). Michelle is only available as a mentor for the fall semester.
Mica Wolcott – Undergraduate Student
Mica is majoring in Psychology and has an academic emphasis in Recreation. A junior, Mica is a huge fan of the outdoors, and enjoys hiking, running, bike riding and swimming. As a peer advisor for the Department of Psychology, she knows the value of listening, and giving advice when asked. Mica has a lot of knowledge about campus life, and is looking forward to helping her mentee out. She is available for both semesters.
Amber Ziegler – Undergraduate Student
A senior Anthropology student, Amber is an avid reader and tea/coffee drinker. She highly values diversity, and is interested in cultures, environmentalism, social issues and anthropology. Amber has two cats, and spends her spare time cooking, blogging, crocheting and being in the sunlight. She also has a yoga teacher’s certificate. Amber knows the value of having a mentor, and would like to share her personal and professional skills with others. Knowing a good mentoring relationship is based in mutual respect and trust, Amber is willing to be an encouraging, supportive friend to her mentee, and believes that “a mentoring relationship should create a mutually safe space that encourages inquiry, and allows both the mentor and mentee to learn and grow.” She is available for both semesters.
Ariel Warden – Undergraduate Student
A past mentor for our program, Ariel is a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Women’s Studies. She loves chatting, hanging out with her friends, and debating about politics. Ariel is also an avid reader and writer, and she enjoys working out and watching movies. She is looking forward to helping a new mentee, passing on her knowledge. From her experience, communication is key to a quality mentoring relationship. Ariel is available for both semesters.