2. Student Organization Spotlight: Peer Connectors

When Washington and Lee students arrive on campus for their first year, one of the first friendly faces they meet belongs to a Peer Connector. The program, long known as Peer Counselors, rebranded this fall with a fresh title, the Peer Connections program, but the same central mission: to provide support, guidance and community for first-year students navigating the transition to college life.

"Much of the day to day hasn't really changed," explained Clara Oh '27, a junior from Tampa, Florida, double-majoring in global politics and philosophy. "It's still really about just being available for the first-years." As the assistant head Peer Connector this year, Oh helps oversee the group's 48 student volunteers in tandem with Spratt Allison '26, who is serving as head of the student-led team this year.

Two Peer Connectors are assigned to each first-year hall, working in tandem with their residence life counterparts to serve approximately 20 first-year students per hall. They spend at least two hours a week engaging with their halls and act as approachable resources for students adjusting to a new environment.

"It's not about the size of the event but about creating a sense of belonging."

~ Spratt Allison '26, head of the Peer Connections program

"Some years, you might get a hall that's very independent, while, in other years, students will have a lot of questions and want to get in touch with clubs or other avenues of getting more involved on campus," Oh says. "That's when you can step in as an upperclassman friend."

PCs also plan at least one social programming event per term, often in collaboration with resident advisers. Programming ranges from low-key cookie-baking nights or movie screenings to larger events like field games or even paintball outings.

"Every Peer Connector can have their own style," said Allison, a senior from Chattanooga, Tennessee, majoring in accounting, finance and German. "When I was a first-year, one of my PCs organized paintball for four halls, and it was a blast. Personally, I like smaller things - last year we had a gingerbread house decorating competition with just a few students. It's not about the size of the event but about creating a sense of belonging."

The organization is advised by the Office of First-Year Experience, and Oh says that collaboration has been strengthened by working alongside other programs within Student Affairs, particularly Residence Life.

"It helps us coordinate and work more cohesively with other first-year-oriented programs," Oh says.

Allison says the core of the program is still about building relationships and creating a more welcoming environment on campus.

"We've always kind of thought of ourselves as knowledgeable, supportive friends," Allison says. "It's an instant connection you have on campus with someone who's older than you and has gone through their first year. We're there to support that transition into college and deal with normal, everyday college issues and problems."

The program is consistently one of the most sought-after student leadership roles at W&L. Each year, applications outnumber available spots by a wide margin.

"Every year we see anywhere from 70 to 100 people apply for around 18 to 20 spots," Allison notes. "That tells you how many students had such a positive experience with their own Peer Connectors that they want to continue the tradition."

Oh takes pride in that legacy.

"I love the Peer Connections program on our campus," she says. "The fact that it's so highly regarded here and so successful and so loved is something that I find amazing. It's honestly very self-sufficient - the Peer Connectors themselves keep up that reputation. I'm always proud of every single PC who comes into the program."

Applying to the PC program

The application process for the Peer Connections program typically occurs during Winter Term for rising sophomores. Spratt Allison '26 says that while the program usually recruits from the first-year class, applications are open to students from other years.

A student committee comprised of Peer Connectors, the head and assistant head PC determine finalists and extend offers to applicants. In recent years, the program has seen a large volume of applications, and not all applicants will be selected; the goal is to have 48 Peer Connectors who can serve as supportive, friendly points of contact for first-year students.

Learn more about Peer Connections program staff and events on Instagram and reach out to the Office of First-Year Experience with questions about the application cycle.

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