Our Peer Leaders were busy this term from attending the Peer Leader Winter Conference to connecting with our TRIO First Year students through the First Year Retreat and our winter events. Interested in being a Peer Leader? Hear from one of our Peer Leaders below!
Peer Leader Highlight- Esmeralda Garcia Ramirez
Hey hey, TRIO family,
My name is Esmeralda Garcia-Ramirez. I am a sophomore Biology major on the pre-med track. I chose to become a peer leader for numerous reasons. Being part of the TRIO program is a fantastic opportunity, providing a strong support system throughout my college journey. Especially as a first year, where peer leaders are one of the many resources provided, they were students we could look up to. Their support inspired me to take on this role and give back to the TRIO community.
I wanted to be a peer leader because I love the idea of helping build the sense of community and belonging that TRIO has to offer. Working as a peer leader has helped me grow my support network, which often consists of my fellow peer leaders and TRIO staff. I’ve also felt supported and inspired by my mentees; their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives have not only left me in awe but also challenged me to reflect on my own experiences and practices. Working alongside driven individuals has also been a great source of friendship and connections. I’ve gained valuable leadership and communication skills that have helped me on many occasions. The role as a peer leader has been an opportunity for self-growth but also a fun opportunity to gain valuable skills.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of being part of the TRIO staff is the fun we’ve had. From traveling to and learning at the EOA Student Leadership Conference, to setting up events for students, every moment has been filled with joy and excitement. These experiences have not only created lasting memories and friendships but also served as a constant reminder of the importance of supporting one another in our TRIO community. So if you’re passionate about helping others, and strengthening your skills, I encourage you to apply! It’s an incredible and fun opportunity to contribute to the TRIO community, and you’ll find it rewarding in ways you might not even expect.
Interested in being a Peer Leader? Apply through the Peer Leader Website!
Peer Leader Winter Conference- Refresh, Recharge, and Reload
By Alyssa Guzman ’27
On Saturday, January 11th, Carleton College’s Peer Leaders joined together to attend the 2025 Winter Peer Leader Conference hosted in Olin Hall of Science. The conference was organized by Melany Kamenick, an Area Director for the ResLife Office, Edwina Johnson, Associate Director of Intercultural Life in the Office of Intercultural Life (OIL), and Demetrius Blackmon-Jimenez, Educational Associate in Sustainability in the Office of Sustainability. The peer leader team at Carleton works tremendously and always puts others first. This conference focused on how to take care of ourselves while taking care of those on campus. With the help of different offices on campus and the 2025 Winter Conference Team, campus peer leaders were able to learn much about mental health and how to keep ourselves together during the academic year.
We were able to hear from Mia Nosanow during the Fireside Chat about her book, The College Student’s Guide to Mental Health: Essential Wellness Strategies for Flourishing in College. She mentions how early in her career she encountered a lot of students who came to her office with similar themes. She started writing the book in 2007, and it was released in February 2024. From then on, peer leaders went to various sessions hosted by peer leaders from different offices across campus.
Some of these sessions were hosted by the Academic Skills Center, the Office of Health Promotion, and the Career Center. They revolved around themes of academic success, personal growth, and mental health. As peer leaders, we put a lot of work on ourselves to help uplift our community. However, to do so, we need to learn how to put ourselves first to uplift others along with us. As we battle the Minnesota winter and a long term ahead of us, we will work together to make sure we are okay.
The peer leader community at Carleton joined together to gain skills that will help us to take on the term and help ourselves be better. Thanks to conferences like these, we can help strengthen the Carleton community.
First Year Retreat – Team Spirit, Archery, & Hilarious Moments
By Krystal Gutierrez ’27
On Saturday, January 18, 2025, TRIO hosted its annual First-Year Retreat at Basecamp, near Fort Snelling, whisking new students off campus for a day packed with adventure, friendship, and a few surprises! The retreat was required for all TRIO first-year students, and TRIO staff and peer leaders joined in on the excitement!
The day began with everyone splitting into three groups – Team Ruby, Team Emerald, and Team Sapphire – before rotating among three stations: rock climbing, archery, and team-building. While rock climbing initially seemed straightforward, many soon realized it was more challenging than expected once they began climbing. Despite the challenge, supportive cheers rang out from fellow students watching below, creating a welcoming and heartwarming atmosphere as fearless climbers pushed their limits.
At the archery station, participants discovered the importance of steady focus and proper technique. The instructors demonstrated everything from stance to safety tips, and students quickly found themselves honing a new skill. Whether hitting a bullseye, or just coming close, everyone shared a sense of triumph.
Team-building activities fueled the biggest laughs and tested everyone’s communication skills. One challenge involved secretly constructing a small structure using various items and guiding a teammate to reconstruct it using only one-word clues. Another highlight was a blindfolded dodgeball-style game called “Tanks and Commanders,” where blind-folded students–“tanks”–relied on shouted directions from their “commanders” to dodge or tag the opposing teams’ “tank”. Both games underscored collaboration, trust, and creative problem-solving…all hallmarks of the supportive community TRIO continues to foster.
By the end of the six-hour retreat, students had made new friendships, created memorable stories, and, hopefully, a serious sense of accomplishment. Between the adrenaline rush of rock climbing, the concentration of archery, and the communication challenges of our team-building games, it was impossible not to walk away feeling more confident and connected.
This event perfectly reflected TRIO’s mission, reminding students that growth is not just about academics but also about building relationships and supporting one another every step of the way. Stay tuned for more TRIO events, and don’t miss out on the next opportunity to stretch your limits and build lifelong friendships!
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TRIO Students at the First Year Retreat -
TRIO Students at the First Year Retreat -
TRIO Students and Staff at the First Year Retreat -
TRIO Students at the First Year Retreat -
TRIO Students and Staff at First Year Retreat
Fiesta Fridays
By Alyssa Guzman ’27
Continuous Creativity and Conversation w/ TRIO | Paint and Sip | January 31st, 2025
On Friday, January 31st, TRIO Peer Leaders put together a relaxing paint and sip for the first-year TRIO cohort. To express our creative side after a hard week, the peer leaders set up easels, canvases, and reference pictures to get the creative juices flowing. TRIO Peer Leaders baked brownies for the event and set up stations for hot chocolate and tea.
As students arrived, the peer leaders began to paint with the students. Some of the students enrolled in observational drawing put their skills to the test as they decided to draw their surroundings. Others decided to follow the reference photos displayed on the table, and some chose to go their own route. Esme showed up and showed out as she completely replicated the reference photo on the table. Other TRIO students also got to display their amazing talent in ways other than academics.
As Fiesta Friday came to an end, creativity and conversation filled the TRIO house. It was nice to see that reflected on canvases around the room. We got to verbally express the way the week went as well, simultaneously comforting and supporting one another for the weeks that are to come. Sharing weekend plans and impending class deadlines.
Don’t miss future opportunities to attend Peer Leader events such as Fiesta Friday or Study Breaks. Surround yourself with other students that share similar experiences as you, and you can learn more about yourself and other TRIO members. As the conversations continue to grow, so do the relationships. .
Uno and Eats!| Ramen Night| Friday, February 7th, 2025
On Friday, February 7th, the TRIO peer leaders put together a Ramen Night for the TRIO first-year students. Peer leaders joined together to prepare some of the toppings for the students’ ramen bowls. As students began to fill the TRIO House, some of our peer leaders stayed in the kitchen to ensure their noodles were cooked sufficiently. As students received their noodles, they garnished their bowls with toppings that included soft boiled eggs, green onions, and nori.
Once students got their bowls of ramen, they made their way to the living room, where they played Uno and conversed with each other and the peer leaders. Students came up and engaged in icebreaker questions with each round of Uno to help the conversation flow. Students were able to see each other outside of the classroom and catch up with one another.
As students recharged with their bowls of ramen and healthy conversation, the night eventually came to an end. Students filed out, and we bid them goodnight. The TRIO house fell silent. Another successful Fiesta Friday in the books. With the help of our first-year students and the TRIO Peer Leader team, we were able to pull it off.
Study Breaks
TRIO Study Break #1
With Mid term Break in the past, and course loads ramping up, TRIO Peer Leaders hosted a First-year Study Break for students to wind down from a busy Carleton week. Held at the TRIO House on Thursday, February 20th, the event’s theme was all about creativity and comfort, with an activity centered around bracelet-making and smores!
Students were able to make colorful, personalized bracelets to keep or share with their friends. The house bore witness to the TRIO artistic flair. Alongside the creative fun, the TRIO Peer Leaders cooked up a Smores Casserole, which quickly became a crowd favorite. It was so popular that a second casserole had to be made to meet the high demand from students and staff alike!
Attending TRIO students left the hour-long break with new fashionable accessories, satisfied smiles, and a little extra sweetness to brighten their days. It was a memorable evening full of fun, friendship, and lots of chocolate!
TRIO Study Break #2
After Carleton was hit with a blast of snow from a blizzard, sidewalks were hidden by mounds of snow, and the wind bit through the air. Thankfully, TRIO Peer Leaders brought some much-needed warmth through community bonding with Study Break #2! Hosted on Thursday, March 6th, at the TRIO House, the event was a much-needed escape from the winter chill.
This time, the arts and crafts were ramped up to a workshop full of possibilities. With materials for painting, weaving, and beading, the day was promising! Students got creative making pipe cleaner bears, painted canvases, and nostalgic rubber band bracelets.
To add to the cozy atmosphere, chocolate chip and sugar cookies were baked fresh and handed out, adding a sweet touch to the afternoon. The event provided a warm and bright experience that lifted spirits on an otherwise cold, snowy day.