Olivia Baradaran ’24, Jordan Dees ’24, Casey Reims ’24 and Stella Stringer ’24 will serve as Peer Support coordinators for the 2023-2024 school year, Head of Peer Support Tina McGraw ’01 announced in an email April 17. Peer Support trainees and the current coordinators elected the coordinators after hearing speeches from 14 candidates.

The Peer Support coordinators lead the program and oversee leaders and trainees who run individual groups. The coordinators run the trainee selection process, plan the annual retreat, create groups and respond to problems that come up during discussions.

Peer Support Coordinator  Max Thompson ’23 said next year’s coordinators were chosen because of their immense dedication to the program.

“It was a particularly strong group of candidates this year, [so the trainees were] really difficult to choose,” Thompson said. “These four demonstrated a real care for the program since sophomore year.”

Baradaran said she decided  to run for the position because of the positive impact Peer Support has on her life.

“[Peer Support has] really been a place I can share how I feel, which has been hard for me with my friends and family,” Baradaran said. “I feel so welcomed, loved and cared about. I feel like it shaped me to who I am as a more sharing person.”

Dees said she wants to continue fostering a hospitable environment in Peer Support.

“My vision for Peer Support [is] to continue having it be such a kind, welcoming, environment and to continue to be a place of comfort for everyone on campus,” Dees said.

Stringer said the difference between being a coordinator and a regular senior leader is the level of involvement in the program.

“You get a little bit more say in the trainees, and I just feel you feel like you’re more into the process and behind the scenes of it all,” Stringer said.