Christie Carlstrom, Diana DiPietro and Jessica Golian have shared the lessons they learned at New Paltz in order to help students with disabilities ease into college life.

Their own experiences as students with disabilities serve as the basis of the work they have done with the Disability Resource Center’s (DRC) Peer Mentorship Program. Each of them has a strong motivation to help others, has used the disability services on campus and is involved in campus activities.

Because peer mentors have used the DRC as a resource in their own lives, they can provide first-hand knowledge to the students they work with.

Diana, who graduated in May with a degree in English-Creative Writing, visited the DRC in the Student Union Building often as a student. She said the center’s relaxed and accepting atmosphere allowed her to grow and become independent.

“The center helps you take the initiative to help yourself,” she said.

During her years at New Paltz, Diana organized activities such as a “Creative Coffeehouse” and attended discussions regarding disability signage and handicap accessibility on campus.

According to Portia Altman, director of the center, DRC peer mentors are chosen to take on this leadership role based on their academic record, their involvement in campus life and their involvement with the DRC. 

In addition to her responsibilities as a peer mentor, Jessica is a resident assistant in Deyo Hall and has served on the executive boards of such student organizations as Chabad, Hillel and the International Student Union.

Jessica, who will return to New Paltz this fall as a junior in the Elementary Education program, said, “I get very involved because I feel that I can try and make a difference in the communities that I live in.”

She said she wanted to be able to provide the same positive experience she had when she arrived at New Paltz and got involved with the DRC to help new students with disabilities.

The role of a DRC Peer Mentor is to assist new students with disabilities transition to college life. Altman said each mentor is highly motivated to do so through sharing their own experiences.

Christie, a senior in Human Services concentration in the Sociology Department, says her experience as a tutor gives her a purpose. She is a resource for new students with disabilities and that makes her feel good about herself and her experiences at New Paltz.

 “I am not just going to school here,” she said, “I am helping others.”

She says she keeps in contact with her students by e-mail to see how their school work is going and to tell them about programs available to them. For her, just knowing that there were people there for her made her feel comfortable. She wants to do the same for those in similar situations.

By sharing their own experiences at New Paltz, Christie, Diana and Jessica have had the opportunity to grow themselves.