KU News Release

Aug. 13, 2007
Contact: Linda Dixon, Learning Communities, (785) 864-1441.

KU Learning Communities program announces 23 new peer educators

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas’ Learning Communities program has announced its 23 peer educators for fall 2007. Peer educators are KU students who serve as academic resources and mentors to help first-year KU students adjust to campus life.

Activities for first-time students in Learning Communities are scheduled to begin today at the start of Hawk Week before fall semester classes start Thursday, Aug. 16.

Among the benefits of Learning Communities are key interaction with faculty as well as a supportive network of other students, peer educators and professors and supplemental learning opportunities in the classroom and Lawrence community.

The Learning Communities program began in fall 2003 and is part of the Academic Achievement and Access Center within the Student Success office. Gail James is director of Learning Communities, and Linda Dixon is associate director.

Each Learning Communities group typically consists of about 20 students enrolled in two courses and a seminar that focuses on a particular theme. Each group has its own faculty facilitator with coordination assistance from the peer educator.

Students enroll, then are assigned to specific Learning Communities based on their major, courses they take or experiences related to the overall theme of the communities. For fall 2007, 21 communities are available to incoming freshmen and there are offerings for upper-level students. Courses can be used to fulfill requirements in most professional schools at KU.

Learning Communities are either residential or nonresidential. In the case of residential courses, the participants and peer educator live on the same floor in student housing designated for the Learning Communities program. Students in nonresidential Learning Communities can live either on or off campus, and the peer educator arranges meeting times for study groups and social activities.

Of the 23 peer educators hired, six are returning from last year: Dennis Golden, second-year law student, and Ryan Good, master’s degree student, both of Overland Park; John Brendan Shaw, Milwaukee, Wis., senior; Melissa Shippy, Wichita senior; Clarissa Unger, Colby senior; and Val Wahbeh, Chanhassen, Minn., senior.

For more information, including course offerings and more about peer educators, visit the Learning Communities Web site.

Fall 2007 peer educators are listed below by hometown, major, level in school, parents’ names and high schools (when available).

DICKINSON COUNTY
From Abilene 67410
Rachel Berry, sophomore in pre-business, daughter of Marlin and Judy Berry; Abilene High School.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Baldwin City 66006
Dennis Golden, second-year law student, son of Robert and Sherry Golden; Ottawa High School; bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in East Asian languages and cultures from KU, spring 2006.

From Lawrence 66044
Jenn R. Gapetz, senior in American studies; Fernandina Beach High School, Fernandina Beach, Fla.

From Lawrence 66049
Rachel Bremby, second-year student in civil engineering, daughter of Roderick L. and April H. Bremby; Lawrence Free State High School.

JACKSON COUNTY
From Circleville 66416
RaeAnn Anderson, junior in psychology and religious studies, daughter of David and Sara Anderson; Jackson Heights High School, Holton.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66224
Lauren Fitzpatrick, sophomore in aerospace engineering, daughter of Rory and Riochelle Fitzpatrick; Blue Valley High School, Stilwell.

From Olathe 66061
Jessie Habluetzel, junior in music therapy, daughter of Clair and Patti Habluetzel; Olathe Northwest High School.

From Overland Park 66214
Jamie Kahn, senior in humanities, daughter of Gunther and Marlet Kahn; Shawnee Mission East High School.

From Overland Park 66221
Ryan Good, master’s degree student in geography, son of Jim and Carolyn Good; Olathe East High School; bachelor’s degrees in geography and English from KU, spring 2006.

From Shawnee 66216
Scott Pinkelman, senior in history and Latin American studies, son of Anthony and Mary Pinkelman; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

LABETTE COUNTY
From Parsons 67357
Lisa Moore, senior in design, daughter of Kevin and Marie Moore; Parsons Senior High School.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Basehor 66007
Elizabeth Bartkoski, junior in business management, daughter of John and DeAnn Bartkoski; Bishop Ward High School, Kansas City, Kan.

MORRIS COUNTY
From Council Grove 66846
Hali Baker, junior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis), daughter of David and Cheerie Baker; Council Grove High School.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Andale 67001
Christopher Vaughn, sophomore in aerospace engineering, son of Mark and Sue Vaughn; Andale High School.

From Garden Plain 67050
Catherine Seiwert, senior in applied behavioral science and psychology, daughter of Leon and Denise Seiwert; Garden Plain High School.

From Wichita 67235
Melissa Shippy, senior in humanities, international studies and microbiology, daughter of Chet and Judith Shippy; Maize High School.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66614
Mark Burghart, junior in human biology, son of Mark and Becky Burghart; Hayden High School.

THOMAS COUNTY
From Colby 67701
Clarissa Unger, junior in international studies and political science, daughter of Jeffrey and Marilyn Unger; Colby High School.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66104
Phillip Brown, junior in civil engineering, son of Lendel and Diane Brown; Sumner Academy of Arts and Science.

ILLINOIS
From Barrington 60010
Mallory Bullen, senior in health and physical education, daughter of Tom and Sue Bullen; Barrington Community High School.

INDIANA
From Bloomington 47401
Abby Henson, master’s student in architecture, daughter of Jamie Henson-Lanham; Bloomington High School South; bachelor’s degree in architectural studies from KU, summer 2004.

MINNESOTA
From Chanhassen 55317
Valerie Wahbeh, senior in finance, daughter of V.N. and Becky Wahbeh; Chaska Senior High School, Chaska.

WISCONSIN
From Milwaukee 53212
John Brendan Shaw, senior in English, son of Michael Mahar and Mary Shaw; Milwaukee High School of the Arts.

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