Jalen Beck
Year: Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
ExSEL Mentor: 4th year, Fall 2018
Peer Assistant: 3rd year, Fall 2018
On-Campus Involvement: Intervarsity , National Society of Black Engineers, The Spectrum Connection, Husky
Taekwondo, SAE Enterprise
Why I chose to enroll in ExSEL: It was suggested by my mom and academic advisor to enroll into ExSEL to learn more
about college life.
Benefits I received from ExSEL: ExSEL helped shape the early parts of my college career. It gave a good basis to
help me succeed as much as I could. I recommend anyone to consider enrolling.
Ben Chizmar
Hometown: Comstock Park, MI
Year: Senior
Major: Mathematical Sciences
ExSEL Member: 2 years
ExSEL Mentor: 3rd year, Fall 2018
Peer Assistant: 2nd year, Fall 2018
On-Campus Involvement: Beta Sigma Theta
Why I chose to enroll in ExSEL: To receive assistance with transitioning from high school to college as well as learn
more about campus life at Michigan Tech.
Benefits I received from ExSEL: Learning resources available to me on campus, getting familiar with organizations
on campus, and become accustomed to living on my own.
Isaac Hermann
Hometown: Marquette, MI
Year: Senior
Major: Computer Network and System Administration
ExSEL Member: 2 years
ExSEL Mentor: 4th year, Fall, 2018 PEER Assistant: 4th year, Fall, 2018
On Campus Involvement: St. Albert the Great's University Catholic Church, Peer Assistant for Success Courses
and ExSEL Mentor.
Why I chose to enroll in ExSEL: I was concerned I would have a difficult time adjusting to campus life and I felt
that being enrolled in a Success course and having a mentor would benefit me as a
student.
Benefits I received from ExSEL: Being in ExSEL has been extremely helpful. Having a mentor my first semester was
beneficial. He let me know that I wasn't the only student who was struggling with
the academic adjustment from high school to college. UN 1000 (required for ExSEL)
taught me good study habits and organizational skills which helped me balance school
work with extra-curriculars.
Ethan Johnson
Hometown: Ironwood, MI
Year: Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
ExSEL Member: 2 years
ExSEL Mentor: 4th year, Fall 2018
Peer Assistant: 3 years
On Campus Involvement: Alpine Ski Team, Mont Ripley Ski Patrol, Boardsports Enterprise, Peer Assistant for
Success Courses and ExSEL Mentor.
Why I chose to enroll in ExSEL: I didn't know what to expect from college. Hearing about the ExSEL Program seemed
like a smart idea. At the time, I had no clue how big an impact it was going to make
on my time at Michigan Tech.
Benefits I received from ExSEL: The ExSEL Program helped me gain the skills and confidence to succeed in college.
I was able to make connections with ExSEL staff that still help me today. I also
made friends in the class and we still communicate and work together.
Avery Mosley
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Year: Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
ExSEL Member: 2 years
ExSEL Mentor: 3rd year, Fall 2018
On Campus Involvement: National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME), Orientation Team Leader and ExSEL Mentor
Why I chose to enroll in ExSEL: I wanted to ease my transition into college life to make sure I was/am successful.
Benefits I received from ExSEL: I gained an easy transition into college life, awesome connections to the Wahtera
Center Staff, strong friendships and a successful sense of time and stress management.
Erin Richie
Hometown: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Year: Graduate Student
Major: Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors
ExSEL Member: 2 years
ExSEL Mentor: 4th year, Fall 2018
Peer Assistant: 3 years
On-Campus Involvement: Pavlis Honors College, Honors Ambassadors, After School STEM Teacher, Academic Success
Coach, Society of Women Engineers, MUB Board, Career Ambassadors, Young Women Leaders
Program Mentor, Peer Assistant for Success Courses, and ExSEL Mentor.
Why I chose to enroll in ExSEL: Joining ExSEL was required for one of my scholarships.
Benefits I received from ExSEL: I gained a second family in the Wahtera Center(!), lifetime friends and a growth in
teamwork skills and empathy.
Gina Roose
Hometown: Alpena, MI
Year: Graduate Student
Major: Accounting and Finance
ExSEL Mentor: 4th year, Fall 2018
On Campus Involvement: Circle K International Service Organization, Quiz Bowl, Kappa Sigma Iota Accounting
Club, Concert Choir, Residence Life Resident Advisor (RA), St. Albert the Great Campus
Ministry and ExSEL Mentor.
Why I chose to mentor: I wanted to be able to share the knowledge I gained from my experiences at Michigan
Tech and to help other students learn to love Michigan Tech as much as I do.
Benefits I received from ExSEL mentoring: It's great to see students grow through their first semester. Helping students find
their fit on campus and how to pursue their passions while they're here is my favorite
part of being a mentor.
Rebecca Spencer
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Year: Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
ExSEL Member: 2 Years
ExSEL Mentor: 2 Years
On Campus Involvement: National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Society of Intellectual Sisters (SIS),
Orientation Team Leader (OTL), Tech Traditions Committee, Residence Life Resident
Advisor (RA) and ExSEL Mentor
Why I chose to enroll in ExSEL: I am the first person in my immediate family to pursue a degree in engineering. I
knew just enough about engineering to know I wanted to major in Mechanical (ME).
It was great to know I would be able to have a mentor to provide advice pertaining
to academics as well as basic college life skills.
Benefits I received from ExSEL: I have received a lifelong friendship with my mentor, the ability to open up to new
people and the knowledge that through the program I still have people there to guide
and support me during my good and bad days.