While Sydney Hampton and Megan Furey’s paths never intersected, the legacies they leave at the University of South Carolina are interconnected. Five years ago, Sydney served as a Returning Peer Leader. Sydney knew how difficult the transition from high school to college can be and was interested in being a source of support for students. Sydney aimed to be “personable, encouraging, uplifting, and supportive of all students.” She became a person who her students could come to without fear of judgement.
Sydney was successful in guiding her students as they adjusted to college life. In fact, several of her U101 students ended up serving as University 101 Peer Leaders because of the impact Sydney had on them. One of those students, Cooper Reinecke, credits Sydney with inspiring him to become a peer leader. “As a freshman in University 101, I remember being like a fish out of water. There was so much I didn't understand and didn't know how to do as I was becoming a self-sufficient human being for the first time. Sydney helped me a lot and made my freshman experience much easier. I wanted to do the same thing for students too.”
Cooper served as a peer leader in fall 2023 and achieved his goal of being a mentor for his students. One of Cooper’s students, Megan Furey is currently serving as a peer leader and recognizes Cooper as one of the factors that led to her success as a first-year student and to her decision to become a peer leader. “Cooper ensured that class formed a welcoming community. He consistently set up icebreakers, team building, and academic enrichment activities in our class that allowed me to meet other students in my section within the Darla Moore school and within the same major. These were some of the first friendships I made at college, and I can attribute that to the welcoming environment Cooper created. I hope to provide the same sense of welcome to new students, as I can empathize with the stress and mixed emotions that they may feel when coming to college.”
Sydney inspired Cooper to be a peer leader, Cooper inspired Megan to be a peer leader, and chances are that Megan has a student sitting in her class right now who will one day become a University 101 Peer Leader.
*Do you have a desire to impact first-year students?
Apply to be a peer leader before the early decision/study abroad deadline on Friday, October 17 or the regular
decision deadline on Wednesday, January 14
*Do you know a student who would make a great peer leader?
Nominate rising juniors or seniors to be peer leaders!