Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Justine Hastings ’21 Wins Outstanding Mentor Award

Saturday, November 7, 2020, By Brandon Dyer
Share
Students
head shot

Justine Hastings

The College Reading & Learning Association’s (CRLA) International Peer Educator Training Program Certification (IPTPC) committee has awarded Justine Hastings ’21 the 2020 Outstanding Peer Educator Award. Hastings will be recognized at a virtual CRLA conference on Friday, Nov. 13.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Hastings is an English and textual studies and secondary English education double major. “I grew up in a neighborhood where people don’t have much opportunity,” she says. “Many are stuck in the cycles of inequality that I am trying to combat.”

Hastings says she is fortunate to have her mother’s support, and she recognizes that many of her peers may not have that same kind of support system. “That’s why I feel the need to give back and help others,” she says.

Hastings is grateful to be in a privileged position that enables her to help others. She gives back in her roles as Student Association president, as a WellsLink peer mentor, as a SEM 100 facilitator and as a mentor for the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Engagement (SOURCE).

She says she was honored to be nominated by Samantha Johnston, the assistant director of the Center for Learning and Student Success, and recommended by her faculty advisor, research mentor and professor Kelly Chandler-Olcott. “Overall, it put a smile on my face and reminds me of why I do the work I do: to help others as others have helped me,” Hastings says.

Working as a peer educator is something Hastings would highly recommend. “Peer support plays such an integral role in student belonging and success because unlike teachers or administrators, students can truly empathize and connect with one another in terms of experience.”

Hastings says the key to her success as a peer educator are skills that people should already be practicing. “Displaying and expressing empathy can go a long way,” she says. “Making a fellow person feel seen, heard, appreciated and supported can go a long way.”

  • Author

Brandon Dyer

  • Recent
  • Empowering Learners With Personalized Microcredentials, Stackable Badges
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Hope Alvarez
  • WISE Women’s Business Center Awarded Grant From Empire State Development, Celebrates Entrepreneur of the Year Award
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Dawn McWilliams
  • Rose Tardiff ’15: Sparking Innovation With Data, Mapping and More
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By News Staff
  • Paulo De Miranda G’00 Received ‘Much More Than a Formal Education’ From Maxwell
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Jessica Youngman
  • Law Professor Receives 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Robert Conrad

More In Campus & Community

Rose Tardiff ’15: Sparking Innovation With Data, Mapping and More

While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in geography in the Maxwell School, Rose Tardiff ’15 became involved with the Salt City Harvest Farm, a community farm near Syracuse where newcomers from all over the world grow food and make social connections….

Paulo De Miranda G’00 Received ‘Much More Than a Formal Education’ From Maxwell

Early in his career, Paulo De Miranda G’00 embarked on several humanitarian aid and peacekeeping assignments around the world. “When we concluded our tasks, we wrote reports about our field work, but many times felt that little insight was given…

Law Professor Receives 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award

College of Law Professor Suzette Meléndez, director of the Syracuse Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, was honored with a 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award at their 45th Annual Freedom Fund Award Dinner. Meléndez received the Maye, McKinney & Melchor Freedom…

A&S Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to Retire; New Appointment Announced

After over four decades of dedicated service to the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), Professor Gerald Greenberg is retiring at the end of 2025. He transitioned from his role as A&S senior associate dean for academic affairs; humanities; and…

Delaware Nonprofit Leader Begins 2-Year Term as Alumni Association President

Alonna Berry ’11, executive director of the Delaware Center for Justice and a graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences, is the new president of the Syracuse University Alumni Association (SUAA) Board of Directors, as of July 1, 2025….

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.