Welcoming the new Panther Camp facilitators and peer advisors

Christian Benabe/Contributing Writer

At a ceremony held Jan. 10 in the Wolfe University Center at FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus, Alexandra Jean-Lestin, a freshman majoring in criminal justice, rejoiced as her name was called. She had just been announced as one of the Panther Camp Facilitators for 2019.

Panther Camp Facilitators and Peer Advisors are a select group of students chosen to assist in making new incoming and transfer students feel welcomed and ease their transition into the University.

Through the Department of Orientation and Family Programs, peer advisors are trained to assist with all new student orientation programs throughout the year. While Panther Camp Facilitators are responsible for coordinating and creating all aspects Panther Camp activities.

While the main event was held at the Modesto Maidique Campus, students gathered at Panther Square in BBC where the event was live streamed. Those who could not attend at the MMC were still able to collect their letter of congratulations.

“One of the biggest things we look for in students is making sure that they are going to be positive representations of our school, student population, [and] great models on campus,” said Alina Quintana, assistant director of Orientation and Family Programs.

After Quintana attended Panther Camp, she later applied as a peer advisor and orientation leader. She said that positive experience is what gave her connections and led to her career.

PAs and PCFs hold a significant amount of responsibility, as they are the students who represent the University’s passion, drive and spirit. This year, there were over 300 applicants for the position with only 84 selected.

“The position is very selfless,” said Jensy Matute Guifarro, a junior majoring in public relations and currently the director of recruitment for Panther Camp. “You have to think about the students who are coming in and also their parents.”

Guifarro said that for PAs and PCFs, being selfless is what lets the students and families know that the student community is about being united and that no one is set up to fend for themselves.

“With these positions you have to do it from like a passion within you and [from] the bottom of your heart,” she said.

The new batch of PAs and PCFs officially begin their training Jan. 11, and every Friday until the start of their positions, be it the new semester orientations or camp.

Photo by Christian Benabe.