The Diversity Peer Education Program is an initiative by the Honors College at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. This program is dedicated to spreading cultural awareness and sensitivity as well as promoting diversity and social justice within the Honors College community. DPE works with Honors College student leaders and organizations on a request basis to host and facilitate custom workshops related to social justice and diversity.
Meet Our Educators
Anna Chostko is a sophomore majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminology. Her future plans include going to medical school and becoming a Psychiatrist. She is a part of the Diversity Peer Educators Program and is devoted to spreading knowledge about diversity and inclusion. She is also a member of Douglass Honors College Community. Outside of school, Anna enjoys dancing, reading, and listening to music.
Deven Singh is a senior majoring in philosophy with a minor in mathematics. In addition to being a student leader at the Honors College, Deven is an active member in the Rutgers Petey Greene program. His career plans include practicing medicine and exploring his interests in public health and population-level bioethics. When he is not spending too much time on Twitter, Deven enjoys reading and biking.
Emily Sullivan (she/her/hers, HC/SOE '23) is a junior studying biomedical engineering on a pre-med track, with aspirations to work in immunotherapy. At Rutgers, she is involved in the Society of Women Engineers and is a Diversity Peer Educator at the Honors College. This year, she is looking forward to being able to serve as a First-Year Changemaking Mentor for the incoming freshman. Emily is an EMT and volunteers with the rescue squad in her hometown, something that has shaped who she is as a person, especially while working on the frontlines during the pandemic. In her free time, Emily enjoys reading, puzzles, and outdoor adventures.
Gloria Liu is a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics in the School of Arts and Sciences. Apart from being a Diversity Peer Educator, she did machine learning research with the Department of Applied Psychology, is an HC Ally mentor, and plays piccolo with the Marching Scarlet Knights.
Justin Najimian is a senior majoring in Public Health and minoring in Spanish and Health & Society, with aspirations of working in the epidemiology field and becoming a genetic counselor. Besides serving as a Diversity Peer Educator at the Honors College, Justin serves as the Director of the Family Relations team for Rutgers University Dance Marathon and the Public Relations Chair for the Bloustein Public Service Association. In his free time, Justin enjoys hiking, going to concerts, and watching Survivor & The Amazing Race.
Kirandharshini Ganesh (they/them) is a sophomore majoring in Environmental & Business Economics with a minor in Agriculture & Food Systems, and plans to work in food marketing or food economics research. They serve as a HC Ally Mentor and as a Diversity Peer Educator at the Honors College. Kiran is the President of Queer & Asian, and a member of Rutgers Enactus. In their free time, they enjoy watching and playing soccer, cooking, and going on walks and hikes. They are an international student from Tamilnadu, India.
Myera Mian is a junior from East Brunswick, New Jersey, double majoring in Business Analytics and Information Technology and Cell Biology and Neuroscience. At the Honors College, she serves as the Lead Ambassador for Recruitment and Continuing Connections and is also a part of the Inclusive Excellence Committee. Myera is also a specialty member for various groups in the Muslim Student Association and serves as a Teaching Assistant for the Physics Department. In her free time, Myera enjoys cooking, watching TV, traveling, and hanging out with her friends.
Anthony Smith Jr., better known as TJ is a fourth-year student majoring in exercise science and planning to enter medical school after graduation. Outside of DPE, TJ carries out research in the Department of Kinesiology and Health, volunteers as an EMT and is involved with health- related organizations on campus. In his personal time, TJ enjoys watching Netflix, playing basketball, reading and spending time with family.
Workshop Categories
Ableism
This program explores the intersections of disability, reflects on what participants know about disability and ableism, and how this relates to other social systems. This group activity will involve critical thinking about various scenarios experienced by people who are labeled as having a disability.
Gender
This program allows participants to engage in reflective thinking about gender and sexual orientation. Participants will be able to analyze their earliest messages about gender from various social systems.
Classism
This program will show participants the unequal distribution of wealth in American society and will involve hands on activities in which participants will learn about group dynamics, intersections of poverty, and unequal distribution of resources.
Religion
This program will expose participants to various religions and religious texts and allow them to analyze stereotypes that are associated with each group. With dynamic group discussions participants will also analyze the role of the media in maintaining and perpetuating these stereotypes.
Exploring Identity
This program will allow participants to explore the key aspects of their identity and how these important aspects interact with other social systems, privilege, and disadvantage. In an interactive activity participants will make an identity map by which to explore their identity and learn more about each other.
Becoming a Peer Educator
During the fall, successful applicants to the Diversity Peer Education Program will engage in a semester long training on topics and issues related to social justice education and theories. Students will also receive training on diversity workshop facilitation, and in the spring semester Diversity Peer Educators will work in pairs to facilitate diversity workshops throughout the Honors College communities.
Interested students must be in good academic standing, have an interest in diversity and social justice, and be available on Fridays in the fall from 3:00pm - 5:00pm for training. Diversity Peer Educators will be required to attend all trainings and meetings. Peer Educators are required to facilitate at least two diversity workshops per semester. In addition, Peer Educators collaborate to organize and plan one large scale diversity and/or social justice related event per semester.
Application
Apply to become a Peer Educator (coming soon)
