Kevyn Heckler, Peer Mentor 2020-2021

---

The Sociology & Criminology department has provided me with the opportunity to connect the experiences from my own life to the rest of the world.  Seeing this connection validated my relationships to the social institutions that impact myself and others every day. Finding Sociology made me more compassionate and understanding that every person comes from a different background.  Throughout my studies, the department has taught me how to critically think, analyze, and appreciate the social aspects of everyday living. Within the department, professors offer immense amounts of integrity to their courses and give every student the chance and platform to succeed, which makes each class challenging but ultimately rewarding. After graduation, I plan on furthering my education with a graduate degree in Marriage, Family, and Couple Counseling. I'm looking all over the states to find the perfect school, but I would not be surprised if I ended right back here at Western Kentucky University. 

Beyond my studies, I worked as a Resident Assistant for Housing and Residence Life during my first two years at WKU. This leadership opportunity provided me with program-management, communication, and teamwork-compatibility skills. My experience as an RA provided the opportunity to talk to large groups of people and form personable connections with students as I helped guide them toward success. I loved each and every one of my residents and made it a goal to share my appreciation for WKU to make their college experiences more meaningful.

I want to become a peer mentor because I want to connect more students to the Department of Sociology & Criminology. I feel like not enough people understand or appreciate what Sociology is and even less are able to form long-lasting connections to the students and faculty within the department. I want to bridge a gap between students who study Sociology and Criminology so they don't feel alone in classes that they're interested in; I want Sociology and Criminology students to be surrounded by people who share a common interest in what they're studying. Perhaps this means starting a Sociology & Criminology Club on campus; perhaps this means holding programs on campus to expose more students to the department and raise awareness for what it means to study sociology. My peers and I ultimately have good intentions for the faculty and students within the department, so good things are bound to happen soon.