Nominated by
Katelyn Kovalsky

Program
Duquesne University (COMPASS)

Semesters as a Mentor
2

Please describe in detail how this nominee stands out among the other peer mentors in your program.
I am writing to offer my strongest recommendation for Kallyn Kerr for The George Nahodil Excellence in Peer Mentorship Award. I have had the privilege of supervising Kallyn during her time as a peer mentor for the Compass Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program at Duquesne University since August of 2025. Throughout her service, she has consistently demonstrated inclusive awareness, relationship-centered leadership, and a deep commitment to empowering students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kallyn excels at recognizing and responding to the diverse needs of the students she supports. She thoughtfully considers their identities, lived experiences, strengths, and barriers, ensuring they can access the resources needed to thrive. She has gone above and beyond to support our students, especially freshmen, feel welcomed and connected to campus life. When one student moved from New York to join our program, Kallyn spent meaningful time helping him adjust and feel at home. She even coordinated with the football team, knowing how much he admires them, to have a personalized, signed football made for his new room. Kallyn’s professionalism, empathy, and maturity set her apart. She approaches every interaction with genuine care and respect, creating an environment where students feel valued and understood. Her calm, thoughtful demeanor allows her to navigate challenges with grace, and her strong sense of responsibility ensures she follows through on every commitment. Her integrity, compassion, and dedication to inclusion elevate everyone around her. I am confident that Kallyn would be an exceptional award recipient. She brings outstanding leadership, a commitment to meaningful connection, and a passion for supporting students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in higher education. She is not only an asset to the Compass Program, but a rising leader in occupational therapy whose person-centered approach will serve her well.