Peer Ministers

Isabel Gauss
Lead Peer Minister

Hello! My name is Isabel Gauss, and I am a junior elementary education major with a Music minor from Yorkville, Illinois. I am one of the lead peer ministers this year! I love being a PM because I love people, and I love reminding them of how deeply they are loved and cared for. This year I have the unique opportunity to lead and encourage the other peer ministers to do the same. In my spare time, you can find me helping out around the Chapel in various ways, drinking coffee, and singing in the matins choir. I LOVE coffee and will always find an excuse to go to a coffee shop downtown (my favorite is The Press). If you see me around campus feel free to say hi! I cannot wait to meet you!

Sean Korpela
Lead Peer Minister

My name is Sean Korpela, and I am a senior Theology & Ministry major with a minor in English from Ironwood, Michigan way up in the UP. This is my third year being a PM and this year I’m a Lead Peer Minister and a peer minister for anyone who needs one. I knew I wanted to be a PM even before the application was released three years ago because although there wasn’t a peer minister on my floor as a freshman, I connected with the other PMs, which helped me battle my way through my freshman year.

Around campus, I’m the president of a student org. called SALT. It takes up most of my time outside of classes, but I love being able to help make a difference and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

My leisure activities include playing guitar (I just bought my first electric <3), throwing around a baseball, and I’ve gotten into selling things on eBay lately.

Kyan Luckett
Alumni Hall – Floor 5

I am Kyan Luckett, a sophomore Mechanical Engineering major from Chicago. I am the peer minister in Alumni Hall on floor 5. I decided to become a peer minister in order to build connections through faith and community. There was strong encouragement from my friends in the church which solidified my choice in applying. Helping new students feel welcome and encouraging old students to stay involved is why I applied.

I am involved in Robotics, SALT, Celebrate, and always joining more clubs. When I can, I enjoy hanging out with friends, going to the gym, and playing games. If I am not in my dorm I will usually be in Gellerson, the Alumni Lounge, or the gym. Feel free to stop by and say hi whenever you see me.

Roxanne Adams
Alumni Hall – Floor 4

My name is Roxanne Adams, and I am a senior Biology major with Neuroscience and Bioengineering minors from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. I am a peer minister in Alumni Hall, floor 4. One reason I enjoy being a PM is that I love coming alongside people and encouraging them wherever they are in their journey.

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week, and on Wednesday nights, you can find me at Fellowship of Christian Athletes, leading Bible study, and then at Celebrate!, where I sometimes sing in the praise band. I am also on the swim team. I am really excited to get to know the new people on campus this year!

Ally Higbee
Beacon Hall – Floor 3

Hello! I am Ally Higbee. I’m a sophomore nursing major with a minor in health care leadership. I am from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. I am a peer minister for Beacon Hall. I chose to become a peer minister because the adjustment of coming to college was really hard for me, and I want to help other people going through a change or their college journey in general. I want to provide a safe space for all students— religious or not—to come and feel welcome and heard. Feel free to contact me at anytime or come knock on my door!

On campus, I am not only a peer minister, but I also run cross country and track for Valpo, I’m a member of SAAC (student athlete advisory committee), I am a small group leader in the Allen scholars program, and I work for the Athletic Department in media and tickets. In the spare time I have left, I like to eat yummy food, hang out with my friends, and call my mom.

Amanda Alvia
Brandt Hall – Floor 2

Hey y’all! My name is Amanda Alvia, and I’m so excited to be Brandt’s second floor Peer Minister! I am a second year student in the Health Science/Physician Assistant Program from Palatine, Illinois. I love supporting others through the big and small moments, and I am so excited to be able to do this as a PM. I also love the Chapel community so much and am thrilled to be able to welcome new people to the space!

On campus, I am a Chapel Tech, Anatomy and Physiology lab aide, and I’m involved in the Association of Aspiring Healthcare Professionals and SALT. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, and all things musical theater, Taylor Swift, and women’s sports. I am so excited for this year and cannot wait to meet and get to know you this year!

David Ramay
Brandt Hall – Floor 3

Hello my name is Dave Ramay, I am a junior English and Spanish double major from Tacoma, Washington. I am the PM for Brandt hall floor 3. I became a PM because I felt that my own PM when I was a freshman addressed needs for me that I didn’t know I had. He has become my good friend and an integral part of my college career. If I can become someone’s friend through my position as a PM or in any of my other positions on campus, then it will have been worth it.

Outside of PM work I am the president of Valpo’s premier charity org., the Social Action Leadership Team, or SALT (meet me 8-9 PM on Mondays in the Helge Center). On campus I am also a member of the music group Sweetwine and the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. In my spare time I love to read, hit the gym, run, and play music with people. If you ever want to jam, contact me at David.ramay@valpo.edu, and I’ll send you my number.

Katelyn Jaster
Brandt Hall – Floor 4

Hey I’m KJ!! I’m a sophomore biology major with minors in chemistry, humanities, and music! I’m from Centennial, Colorado, and I am a freshman PM on floor four of Brandt. I am so excited to be a PM this year because I love having awesome conversation, and to be a support for others.

At Valpo, I’m on the track and field team, so please ask me about it! I’m also in the orchestra, where I play oboe, am on the Celebrate team, and in Christ College! I am a lover of all things outdoors, Jesus, and music. If you catch me studying in the Center for the Sciences, please come say hi! 🙂

Nate Peyer
Brandt Hall – Floor 5

Howdy hey, I am Nate Peyer! I am a sophomore electrical engineering major with a minor in meteorology from the Village of Lakewood, Illinois. I am the Brandt Hall fifth floor peer minister. I am also a third generation Valpo college of engineering student! I am a peer minister because of the positive impacts I saw on my life from my fellow students and a deep passion for helping others through their problems. I want to help students find the on-campus resources they need and help them find their place on campus.

Outside of classes, I am involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Valpo Aviators, Sacristy Staff, and Science Olympiad here on campus. I am also a member of a research project looking into an experimental form of three-dimensional printing. Outside of these I am an avid runner and amateur photographer. I also have a large passion for building Lego. Specifically, I build a lot of custom Lego models. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and watching cross country and track meets.

Elaina “Lain” Bussone
Fraternity Sorority Life

Hey! My name is Lain, and I’m a senior studying Theology and Ministry. I’m from Franklin, Tennessee. I am one of the Fraternity Sorority Life PMs and I’m a member Gamma Phi Beta. I became a PM because I love ministering to my peers and making sure everyone can feel supported and that they have someone to turn to on campus. You can usually find me walking around campus, having a coffee in BBs, or hanging out in the Helge Center. Feel free to reach out to me if you ever want to chat!

Cam Haggett
Guild-Memorial Hall

Hi, I’m Cam Haggett! I’m an English and Spanish double major with a minor in TESOL. I am from Roanoke, Virginia, and I’m one of the peer ministers for Guild-Memorial! I became a peer minister because I love forming connections and helping people. I’m involved with SALT, Beloved, Alpha Gamma Delta, ILAS, The Lighter, and Christ College. I spend a lot of time in the Helge Center and Mueller Hall! In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, crafting, and spending time outdoors. I also love spending time with friends, especially going downtown or to the Dunes.

Ethan Palmisano
Guild-Memorial Hall – Floor 3

I’m Ethan Palmisano, a sophomore meteorology major with a math minor. I’m from Beecher, Illinois, a small town an hour away from Valpo and from Chicago. I’m a peer minister for Guild-Memorial Hall. On campus, I’m involved heavily in the meteorology side of things, as well as at St. Teresa’s. In my free time, I love listening to and watching baseball (Go Cubs!) and have been trying to learn Spanish.

The main reason that I became a peer minister is because I’d like to grow my faith while helping others do the same. When I was in high school, I wasn’t able to attend church in person for a while because my job always had me working on the weekends. This was a really important time in my life, and it damaged my relationship with God. I want to help others who are trying to get back on the path like I am.

Jackson Price
Helge Center

I’m Jackson Price! I’m a senior Theology major with a minor in Physics, and I’m from DeMotte, Indiana. I am the peer minister for the Helge Center. I became a peer minister because I want to share some of the impact that they’ve had in my life with others. My dream is to make the Helge Center a place with good food and even better friends where anyone is welcome.

In my free time I mostly read or watch movies. I’m involved with Celebrate, Candlelight, and everything else going on in the Chapel. If I’m not taking a nap, you can probably find me in the Helge Center cooking something good!

Hope Johnson
International Students

I am Hope Johnson! I am a senior Religious Studies and Spanish double major with a minor in Business from Chicago. I am the peer minister here to support the international students on campus. Being an extra presence of warmth to others is important for me especially because I have studied abroad 2 semesters. Navigating an unfamiliar environment is not easy without a support system. I believe that international students add so much value to our community.

In my free time I enjoy hiking, spending time with friends family, and planning future trips. I am also very involved with the Study Abroad office and the Office of Multicultural Programming.