Phi Delta Theta is proud to announce its 2018 Peer Mentor class for the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute. The Peer Mentor program focuses on enhancing leadership skills, group facilitation, and provides specialized education to become more familiar with Phi Delta Theta as an international organization.
Each undergraduate peer mentor is paired with a faculty member and becomes an integral part of his Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute chapter. He navigates the conference with the delegates in his Kleberg chapter, sits with them during General Sessions, and assists the lead faculty member in the facilitation of the chapter meeting curriculum.
Peer mentors also participate in specialized educational sessions during the course of the Institute. Discussions and presentations include topics vital to Phi Delta Theta and the broader inter-fraternal world.
Phi Delta Theta would like to thank Clay and Debbie Jones for their sponsorship of the Peer Mentor program and the Leadership & Ethics Academy.
The 2018 Peer Mentor Class
Roman Aguirre – CSU-Chico (California Xi)
Roman serves as chapter treasurer for his chapter at California State University, Chico, where he studies business administration with an option in accounting. Roman is involved with the associated student government at Chico State and was also a member of the Chico State club rugby team. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new music, losing himself in movies, and taking his dog on hikes.
Christopher Barnes – Kettering University (Michigan Delta)
Chris serves as the Michigan Delta Chapter treasurer. He studies electrical engineering with a minor in business. Chris is involved in student government and currently serves on Finance Council. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, biking, and playing his saxophone.
Matthew Cleal – University of New Mexico (New Mexico Alpha)
Matthew is president of the New Mexico Alpha Chapter at the University of New Mexico. He is pursuing a double degree in applied mathematics and mechanical engineering, specializing in dynamical and control systems. Matthew has held several positions within his chapter including secretary and warden, as well as being actively involved with various engineering, music, and Greek groups on campus. In his free time, Matthew likes to play video games, grab coffee with friends, and ride his bike around campus.
David Clawson – Robert Morris University (Pennsylvania Pi)
David serves as president of the Pennsylvania Pi Chapter at Robert Morris University in Moon, Pennsylvania. He studies business management with a minor in computer information systems with hopes to pursue a career in process improvement or project management. In addition to Phi Delta Theta, David serves as treasurer for the RMU APICS Chapter (Association for Operations Management). In his free time, he enjoys trying new restaurants and binge watching The Office on Netflix.
Austin Dean – Fresno State (California Upsilon)
Austin is currently finishing up his term as recruitment and brotherhood chair for the California Upsilon Chapter at Fresno State. He is finishing up a Bachelor’s degree in biology and plans to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant in the emergency medicine field. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, chilling with his brothers, and playing Fortnight.
Octavio DeSantiago – University of Nebraska at Kearney (Nebraska Beta)
Brother DeSantiago is the recruitment chair for the Nebraska Beta Chapter at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He studies business administration with an emphasis in supply chain management. In his free time, Tavo enjoys traveling, passing the time with friends, and listening to music.
Lucas Eshbaugh – University of Cincinnati (Ohio Theta)
Lucas Eshbaugh serves the Ohio Theta Chapter as president at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is in his third year studying civil engineering with a concentration on geotechnical and materials engineering. Lucas is passionate about the UC Shelter Dogs, a club created on campus to help promote volunteering at animal shelters and helping with adoptions. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his chapter brothers, playing sports, and watching movies.
Nicholas Focht – Widener University (Pennsylvania Mu)
Nicholas currently serves his chapter as general secretary and alumni secretary of Pennsylvania Mu at Widener University. He studies mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace with a minor in robotics engineering. Nicholas represents the university as a tour guide through his work in the Widener Office of Admissions. In his free time, Nicholas enjoys playing tennis and Fortnite.
Graham Falk – University of San Francisco (California Chi)
Graham values his position of influence as Phikeia educator of the California Chi Chapter at the University of San Francisco. He is currently the vice president of standards on his university’s Greek Council. In his free time, he enjoys video games, playing sports with friends, and enjoying the outdoors.
Trevor Guthrie – California State University, Chico (California Xi)
Trevor is a junior studying political science. He serves as the Interfraternity Council president and is dedicated to serving students. In his free time, you can catch him watching Netflix or hanging out with his brothers.
Kole Kleinschmidt – Minnesota State University, Mankato (Minnesota Beta)
Brother Kleinschmidt currently serves as chapter president of the Minnesota Beta Chapter at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He studies both finance and accounting in addition to serving on two student government committees. He loves being involved on campus. For fun, he enjoys running and spending time with his fraternity brothers.
Corbin Lovelady – Oklahoma State University (Oklahoma Beta)
Corbin currently serves the Oklahoma Beta Chapter at Oklahoma State University as its vice president. Brother Lovelady is a senior studying sports management and accounting. During his time as a Phi, he has proudly served on the executive committee for three terms as chapter secretary, scholarship chairman, and vice president. In his spare time, Corbin loves to tell dad jokes, play pool, and hang out with his brothers. He attended the 2017 Kleberg and is excited to have the opportunity to serve as a peer mentor at this year’s conference, hoping to transmit the Fraternity better than it was transmitted to him.
Andrew Nurse – Iowa State University (Iowa Gamma)
Andrew currently serves as the philanthropy chairman for the Iowa Gamma Chapter at Iowa State University. He is studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Energy Systems. Andrew also currently serves as a Recruitment Director for Iowa State Dance Marathon. In his free time, Andrew enjoys running outdoors, camping with his friends, and attending music festivals.
Alec Pesavento – Sonoma State University (California Sigma)
Brother Pesavento is brotherhood chairman for the California Sigma Chapter at Sonoma State University. He is a kinesiology major with a concentration in lifetime fitness and wellness. Alec is an avid baseball fan, particularly of his San Francisco Giants. His other hobbies include watching and playing sports and spending summers at the beach.
Jeff Ranger – Western Kentucky University (Kentucky Eta)
Jeff was Phikeia educator of the Kentucky Eta Chapter at Western Kentucky University in 2017. He studies economics with a minor in marketing and a certificate in business data analytics. He has also served as public relations and convocation chair on WKU’s Greek Week Committee. Jeff attended the Kleberg Emerging Leadership Institute and the Phikeia Educators College in 2016 and 2017. He loves basketball and plans to attend law school and adopt an English bulldog after graduation.
Zachary Rile – Robert Morris (Pennsylvania Pi)
Brother Rile is a member of Pennsylvania Pi at Robert Morris University in Moon, Pennsylvania. He studies finance with a minor in accounting. Zach works in addition to focusing on his studies and is currently a financial analyst intern at McKesson. In his free time, he enjoys working on cars, mountain biking, and playing video games.
Zachary Schmechel – CSU-Chico (California Xi)
Zachary served as the secretary for the California Xi Chapter at California State University, Chico from fall 2016 through fall 2017. He studies recreation administration with a focus in community and commercial recreation and tourism. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, writing, and hiking.
Austin Shrader – University of Alabama (Alabama Alpha)
Brother Shrader serves the Alabama Alpha Chapter as president in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He studies finance with a specialization in insurance. When he is not studying or performing house duties, he is watching soccer, playing sports, fishing, or reading.
Harrison Stanley – University of Cincinnati (Ohio Theta)
Harrison currently serves Ohio Theta as vice president and historian at the University of Cincinnati. He studies archaeology and history and is also involved in Army ROTC. In his spare time, Harrison enjoys going for adventures, SCUBA diving, watching rugby, and reading old books.
Samuel Smith – Hanover College (Indiana Epsilon)
Sam is from Cincinnati, Ohio and currently serves as the risk manager of the Indiana Epsilon Chapter at Hanover College. He is a Business Scholar majoring in communication with a minor in psychology. Sam also serves as the vice president of standards and risks within the Hanover IFC while playing offensive line on the football team. His hobbies include fishing, golfing, lifting, and watching sports with his friends.
Devin Thornton – Georgia Southern University (Georgia Epsilon)
Devin currently serves as the Phikeia educator and homecoming chair of the Georgia Epsilon Chapter at Georgia Southern University. His undergraduate degree is in communication studies, and he will pursue his masters in Higher Education Administration after graduation. Because of Devin’s passion for campus involvement and school spirit, he has worked with the orientation program at Georgia Southern for the past three years and is currently an emcee for Georgia Southern athletics. When Devin is not in class, at work, or handling fraternity business, he enjoys listening to music and weightlifting.
Gordon Taylor – University of Western Ontario (Ontario Beta)
Gordon transitioned from being a Phikeia straight to chapter president of Ontario Beta at the University of Western Ontario. His drive stems from his legacy father (Manitoba Alpha ’84), his own chapter brothers, and those whom he met at the 2017 Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute. He specializes in consumer behaviour with a minor in Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. Gordon is an avid skier/snowboarder, enjoys spending time outdoors, as well as the occasional game of Fortnite with his friends.
Jake Van Horn – Valparaiso University (Indiana Iota)
Jake currently serves as Indiana Iota’s Recruitment Chairman after serving as Chapter President last year. He is going into his senior year and is studying business marketing with a minor in meteorology. Jake is also the Vice President of Operations for the Valparaiso University IFC and on the Dance Marathon Morale Team. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, running, and helping on the family farm. Jake attended Kleberg last summer and can’t wait to attend as a Peer Mentor this year!
Jesus Valencia – University of Nebraska at Kearney (Nebraska Beta)
Brother Valencia serves as the vice president of the Nebraska Beta Chapter at University of Nebraska at Kearney. He studies business administration with an emphasis in supply chain management. Jesus is involved on campus with IFC as the vice president for scholarship, is also VP of the Hispanic Student Association, and a council member for the Office of Multicultural Affairs. He loves to spend time with friends, watch movies, and eat Mexican food.
Elwood Voss – Southeast Missouri State University (Missouri Zeta)
Elwood is president of Missouri Zeta at Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He studies psychology with a minor in social work. Elwood is also involved in the Outdoor Adventure Club, where he spends time hiking, camping, and adventuring. For fun, he enjoys listening to music, riding his bicycle, and watching movies.
Mitchell Willing – Kettering University (Michigan Delta)
Brother Willing is a senior at Kettering University working towards a degree in mechanical engineering. He serves the Michigan Delta Chapter as president and previously as vice president. In addition to school, Mitch participates in a co-op at Dura Automotive Systems in Auburn Hills, Michigan doing product design and testing for major automotive companies. In his free time, Mitch enjoys making coffee, rock climbing, and playing video games.
