Nominated by
Erin Huggard

Program
Gwynedd Mercy University (Integrated Studies)

Semesters as a Mentor
4

Please describe in detail how this nominee stands out among the other peer mentors in your program.
Joseph O’Malley has worked as a peer mentor in Gwynedd Mercy's Integrated Studies program for the past four semesters. He is currently a Senior Occupational Therapy student with minors in Public Health, Psychology and Counseling. Through his time working in the program, he has modeled the definition of what it means to be a Peer Mentor. Whether he is helping a student with homework, attending school events with students, or teaching independent living skills with them, Joey has constantly showed his dedication to helping others. For two years, Joey has been a camp counselor at Gwynedd Mercy's Integrated studies summer camp where he lived in the residence halls with perspective incoming students and participated in different on and off campus activities. He assisted in different programs that taught students about independent living skills such as doing laundry, cooking meals, and taking care of college residential spaces. Time and time again, Joey has shown up not for only our students in the program, but for others on our campus. Aside from being a peer mentor, he works as a Griffin Ambassador, where he gives prospective students campus tours. He serves on the Executive Council for the Student Activates Committee, where he hosts different campus events for the Gwynedd community to engage in and he is an active member of the Student Government Association constantly advocating for student concerns and their wellbeing. Through the Occupational Therapy department, Joey serves on the executive council for the Student Occupational Therapy Association, increasing campus and community awareness of the Occupational Therapy profession. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is always willing to lend a helping hand when needed. His unwavering dedication and unlimited compassion reminds us all why we chose to work in Integrated Studies. Joey is not only the kind of person that you want to be around, but he is the person people aspire to be.