You have all seen them before – they’re there to guide you through the first awkward weeks of your freshmen year at Mercer – decked out in orange any day of the week – proudly staking out their Quadspot and probably dancing while they do it. They are the Peer Advisors, guiding lights of the incoming freshmen classes, and if it sometimes seems like they’re a family, then it’s because they definitely are.
Carolyn Disburger is a junior PA on the Orientation Leadership Team. She does everything from arrange orientation schedules to writing the “Choices” skit to helping choreograph the amazing PA dance.
Michael Roberts, also a junior, is proud to represent the orange and black.
Katie Elliot is a senior PA and knows how to tell it like it is.
Q: Are PA’s like a family? If so, in what ways?
CD: The PA’s aren’t like a family – we are a family! It’s pretty awesome actually. We’re all so unique yet so bonded. If you see us around campus you would never think that we all knew each other, yet we’re all so tight. We support each other in every way, from simply taking someone to Walmart, to acting as a shoulder to cry on.
Q: What’s your favorite tradition?
KE: There are so many wonderful PA traditions but my favorite is our overnight retreat before official PA training starts. It’s a great time to bond with all of the new and
Q: How often do you see everyone?
MR: I see someone from staff at least once a day, and we always make it a point to say hi. But with everyone being so busy and involved on campus, it’s hard to get us all together in one room!
Q: Do you ever have arguments?
CD: We’re all super respectful of each other and value others differing opinions. If somebody has a problem or disagrees, we bring it up in a respectful manner.
Q: What’s a feature that makes your family strong/bound together/etc.?
CD: This is going to sound 50 Shades of Lame but at the root of it all I think our mutual love and acceptance binds us together. We’re all similar in the way that we truly care about one another, about our school, about the legacies we’re leaving. Like if we ask you how your day is going, we really want to know. It’s a crazy feeling to have this insane support behind you no matter what you do. To know that regardless of what you do there’s support- like I might not personally understand why you’re doing this, but you’re passionate about it and I’m going to support you regardless!
KE: One feature would be that we all are working towards the same goal: welcoming freshmen to Mercer, making sure they have all the information they need to succeed, and making sure they have as smooth a transition to college life as possible.
MR: I think what keeps us all together is our love for Mercer, as cheesy as that sounds. Before I became a PA, I didn’t know too many people, and I hadn’t really made Mercer my home. After having seen my O-Groupers fall in love with it, I can see why the others really enjoy it as well. We all just want to make Mercer the best it can be. \
No matter what happens, whether they remain a PA or not, they’re a family through and through that unconditionally love, respect, and support each other. And when things get rough and when you’re feeling down, that’s exactly what you need.