Phi Delta Theta is proud to announce its 2019 Peer Mentor class for the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute. The program, open to undergraduate Phis entering their junior or senior year, focuses on enhancing leadership and group facilitation skills, and provides specialized education giving Peer Mentors the opportunity 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 unique educational opportunities during the course of Kleberg. 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.
2019 Peer Mentor Class
Braden Ash – Puget Sound (Washington Delta)
Braden served as vice president after his initiation and quickly transitioned to chapter president, a position that he holds today in his second term. Braden is double majoring in business leadership and computer science with a minor in mathematics. Braden plays division III football and is a four-year starter at defensive line. When not busy with Phi Delta Theta, Braden enjoys spending time with friends, volunteering, and napping.
Hugh Atkinson – George Washington (District of Columbia Alpha)
Hugh currently serves as the treasurer of District of Columbia Alpha at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. He studies political science with a minor in religion. Hugh was the founding president at District of Columbia Alpha and has served on the executive boards of various organizations at GW including their National Eagle Scout Association chapter. Hugh is heavily involved in politics and government, having worked on multiple campaigns, Capitol Hill, the Court, and government affairs. In his free time, he enjoys going out with friends, making jokes, watching Netflix, and being outside.
David Brickey – Embry-Riddle (Florida Mu)
David currently holds two positions as the Phikeia educator and social chair. In the fall he will take over as the chapter president. David studies aerospace engineering with a concentration in astronautical engineering and two minors in applied mathematics and homeland security. This past semester David served as the vice wing commander for his Air Force ROTC detachment and has been selected to attend pilot training after graduation. Outside of school and ROTC David enjoys working out, swimming, riding his motorcycle, and helping others in the community.
Chase Coleman – Georgia Southern (Georgia Epsilon)
Chase currently serves as the chapter president of the Georgia Epsilon Chapter at Georgia Southern University. He studies both history and political science with a pre-law focus. Outside of Phi Delt, Chase is involved on campus through being a member of College Republicans, Ducks Unlimited, and Baptist Collegiate Ministries. During his free time Chase enjoys being outdoors, playing sports, or just hanging out with his chapter brothers.
Matthew Dodge – Iowa State (Iowa Gamma)
Matt currently serves as treasurer of Iowa Gamma at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa and is the incoming president. He studies mechanical engineering and is also pursuing a minor in economics. Matt is involved in Dance Marathon and just finished his role as finance director. In his free time, he enjoys tossing a disc, watching movies, and hammocking.
Lucas Eshbaugh – Cincinnati (Ohio Theta)
Lucas serves the Ohio Theta Chapter as social chair at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is in his fourth 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, eating exotic food, and watching movies.
Brian Evans – Georgia Southern (Georgia Epsilon)
Brian currently serves as chapter secretary of the Georgia Epsilon Chapter at Georgia Southern University. He is a communication studies major and religious studies minor. Brian also interns with the professional soccer team located in Statesboro, Georgia – South Georgia Tormenta FC. In his free time, Brian enjoys watching and playing soccer, spending time with his brothers, and rock climbing.
Graham Falk – San Francisco (California Chi)
Graham currently serves as the vice president of standards for the University of San Francisco’s Greek Council and will be the Greek Council’s next president starting fall 2019. He studies economics with a concentration in financial economics as well as a minor in computer science. In the past, he was the Phikeia educator for his chapter and is still involved in multiple committees. In his free time, he enjoys exploring San Francisco, playing Spikeball at the beaches, playing Smash Bros. with his chapter brothers, and working out.
Cody Flynn – Idaho (Idaho Alpha)
Cody currently serves on the Interfraternity Council Executive Board at the University of Idaho as the director of membership development. He studies international studies with an emphasis in business and economics in Europe, and a minor in German. Cody loves to be involved on campus and currently works in the Fraternity and Sorority Life Office as an intern. Outside of his regular schedule he enjoys snowboarding, camping, playing lacrosse and water polo, reading at coffee shops, and spending time with friends.
Herbert Hampton – Widener (Pennsylvania Mu)
Herb served as the chapter president of Pennsylvania Mu for a year and now serves as their awards chair. He is majoring in accounting with a minor in taxation and is involved in the university’s orientation leader program as well as the tour guide program. Herb is a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan and loves the show, The Office.
Ric Heiges – Sam Houston (Texas Pi)
Ric currently serves as Phikeia educator for the Texas Pi Chapter at Sam Houston State. He studies mass communications with an emphasis on the film track with a minor in political science. He is involved with his university, where he takes its motto “A Measure of a Life is its Service” to heart. Ric has worked as an orientation leader and welcome week leader, as well as being a part of his University’s Special Events staff. Ric enjoys sports, particularly wrestling and watching movies.
Jonathan Howard – West Liberty (West Virginia Gamma)
Jonathan currently serves as chapter president of West Virginia Gamma at West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia. He studies business with a double major in entrepreneurship and marketing with a minor in geography. Jonathan is also involved in local real estate where he has just obtained his license and realtor status. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, eating good food, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Kole Kleinschmidt – Minnesota State (Minnesota Beta)
Kole is studying accounting at Minnesota State University and currently serves as the alumni connections chair at Minnesota Beta. He has past experience serving as his chapter’s secretary and president. In his free time, he enjoys running and spending time with friends and family.
Joe Maxwell – Cincinnati (Ohio Theta)
Joe currently serves as chapter president of Ohio Theta at University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. He studies aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Joe is also in the co-op program at UC and works rotating semesters at E-Technologies Group in West Chester, Ohio as an electrical designer. In his free time, Joe enjoys playing tennis and plays for UC Club Tennis. Other than tennis, Joe likes to hang out with friends and play video games.
Jayden McAdams – Ohio (Ohio Gamma)
Jayden currently serves as the chapter president of Ohio Gamma at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He studies integrated media with a minor in German. Jayden is heavily involved in student Senate having served as Senate Appropriations Commission senator and now treasurer. He is passionate about film and giving back to the world.
Evan Meagher – UC, Berkeley (California Alpha)
Evan currently serves as the warden for his chapter. He is a student of political science, specializing in American politics. He works in fan experience at Cal Athletics and is a proud director of the Disney Club at Berkeley. He enjoys playing saxophone, collecting Funko Pops, and superhero movies.
John Moore – New Mexico (New Mexico Alpha)
John currently serves as the warden of New Mexico Alpha at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He studies Anthropology with a concentration in evolutionary anthropology and a minor in museum studies. John is also very much involved in the Undergraduate Anthropology Society and the Museum Collections Club. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, board games, bowling, keeping insects, and spreading awareness of conservation and the importance of biodiversity.
Derek Piotrowski – Rochester Institute of Technology (New York Eta)
Derek joined Phi Delta Theta in spring 2018 as a re-founding father of the New York Eta Chapter at RIT. On campus, he has been an orientation leader for the last three years and a peer advisor for the last two years. In these positions, he has helped and been responsible for over 100 students in their first semester of college. As a third year, he joined Phi Delta Theta and was chosen as his colony’s Phikeia educator, where he developed an extensive Phikeia program focused on college readiness and personal goals. Outside of his student affairs positions, he is also a member of the Pep Band, playing at the DI hockey games as a percussionist, and the owner and manager of a professional card gaming team. In his little free time, he spends time at his lake house and playing video games with his friends.
Bryce Pittman – Campbell (North Carolina Zeta)
Bryce currently serves as the chapter vice-president of North Carolina Zeta at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. He has also served as the chapter’s Phikeia educator and treasurer. Bryce currently studies history pre-law with a minor in music. He is also active in the university’s marching and pep bands and serves as vice president of the history club. In his free time, Bryce enjoys hiking, kayaking, cheering on the fighting camels, playing music, and serving and spending time with his adopted ALS family.
Isaac Scott – Colorado State (Colorado Gamma)
Isaac currently serves as chapter president of the Colorado Gamma Chapter at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. He studies business finance with a double concentration in corporate and investment finance. Isaac is currently serving in his second term as president of Colorado Gamma. In his free time, he enjoys snowboarding, playing/watching sports, and enjoying the outdoors.
Steven Xinglan Shi – George Washington (District of Columbia Alpha)
Shi currently serves as vice president of public relations of the Interfraternity Council at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. He studies international affairs with a concentration in international development and music (voice), as well as a minor in geographic information science. Xinglan is also involved with various music performance groups and performance opportunities in addition to serving as a resident advisor. In his free time, he enjoys singing with his friends, cooking, and volunteering at the National Air and Space Museum or local LGBT causes.
Derek Sims – Butler (Indiana Gamma)
Derek is an incoming senior at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he studies psychology and chemistry with a minor in neuroscience on a pre-medical track. His past position experience for Phi Delt includes a year as risk manager and a year as awards chairman. Derek’s passion is actively working to silence the negative stigmas surrounding mental health in children, teens, and young adults. In his free time, he enjoys reading classical literature, watching Netflix, and playing video games with his brothers.
Stephen Sommerville – New Mexico (New Mexico Alpha)
Stephen currently serves as chapter president of New Mexico Alpha in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He studies psychology and anthropology and is pursuing a bachelor of science. Stephen is also involved with Agora Crisis Center, in which he answers phone calls for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, and other warm lines. He also trains incoming volunteers to prepare them for high stress situations and serves as a mentor. Stephen is also part of the executive board of this organization focusing on volunteer morale. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, reading, and gardening.
Tony Theriot – Oklahoma State (Oklahoma Beta)
Tony currently serves as chapter president of the Oklahoma Beta Chapter at Oklahoma State University. He is in his senior year studying finance in the Spears School of Business. Tony is also very involved in Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity as well as numerous performing ensembles. When he’s not studying or at an event playing his saxophone, he enjoys cutting up on the slow pitch softball field, working out, and forever grinding on RuneScape.
Jordan Valenzuela – Southwestern Oklahoma State (Oklahoma Gamma)
Jordan grew up in the small town of Watonga, Oklahoma. He decided to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University summer of his senior year and was introduced to Phi Delta Theta the first week classes started. He pledged Phi Delta Theta in fall 2017. He currently serves as the vice-president of the chapter at the university in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He enjoys lifting, running, rock-climbing, hanging with brothers, volunteering, and being in nature. He is pursuing a bachelor of science and he hopes to attend medical school. His ultimate goal is to be a traveling doctor that does missionary work in third world countries and treat patients who cannot afford care.
Nathan Wichterman – Akron (Ohio Epsilon)
Nate currently serves as the recruitment chair of Ohio Epsilon at the University of Akron. He is majoring in AYA integrated science and plans to teach high school science after graduation. Nate is heavily involved in his Greek community, working in the Fraternity and Sorority Life office on campus, and as a member of the Order of Omega Greek Honorary. In his free time, he enjoys Cleveland sports, disc golf, podcasts, and volunteering at summer camps.
Shane Wilson – Western (Ontario Beta)
Shane currently serves as chapter president of the Ontario Beta Chapter at Western University in London, Ontario. He is entering his senior year and is pursuing a double major in English language and literature and sociology. In addition to his involvement in Greek life, Shane also serves as the University Students’ Council Accessibility Committee Events Director. In his free time Shane enjoys horseback riding, watching movies, and fishing.
