Student Mentors | Lehman College

Meet Our Student Mentors

Aryanna Chiraunjilal
Major: Health Service Administration

Aryanna is a senior at Lehman College, majoring in Health Service Administration, with a strong commitment to leadership and community engagement. As a Peer Mentor, she guides first-year students through essential workshops on time management and provides one-on-one support to help them succeed academically and personally. As the former Vice President of the Caribbean Unity Club, she was passionate about celebrating Caribbean culture and fostering unity on campus. Her work is driven by a commitment to inspiring others and making a meaningful impact within her college community.

Aryanna's Advice to Students

“In college, try to prioritize managing your time so you can balance classes and activities—it really helps. Make an effort to connect with professors and classmates because those relationships can open doors for you down the line. Also, take care of your health, both physically and mentally, and get involved in clubs or activities to make the most of your college experience. And don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it; there are so many resources on campus to support you.”

Gabriel Bencosme
Major: Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Gabriel is a Junior studying Latin American and Caribbean Studies. He is also an alumni of Bronx-Community-College with an Associate's degree in Liberal-Arts and Science. Gabriel is currently working on projects such as the Public Relations Manager of the Caribbean Unity Club and a new mentor for CREAR Futuros. He is a Dominican raised in Uptown Manhattan, Washington Heights. As a minority, he serves as an example of resilience and advocacy to many young peers who yearn to navigate in environmental settings and explore new atmosphere to assimilate by striving for success in a curricular manner. As a minority who was searching for growth, being sponsored by the CREAR team gave him purpose to lecture and espouse to those young students who are unaware of their inner potential and fundamentally aid them with the correct guidelines to be mindful of their brilliance and integrity.

Gabriel's Advice to Students

“Always put self-determination above fear. Fear overshadows the potential you carry that can assist you in surpassing the limitations. Disclosing your talents and contributing methods makes you indispensable and a unique individual. You have no one to impress but yourself, so always trust your instincts, integrity is an important characteristic that no one can diminish. When you experience failure, do not let it define you, learn from it and conquer it.”

Anna Rodriguez
Major: Social Work

Anna is a Junior in the Social Work department. She currently working as a CREAR Futuros peer mentor at Lehman College and intern social worker through CARES at Bronx Community College. Outside of school, she is a mother to two wonderful children and advent practitioner of self care. Anna looks forward to using her background in Social Work and personal experiences as a first-generation Latino student to help uplift other students.

Anna's Advice to Students

“Every situation has a solution as long as you keep a positive mind and ask for assistance. Consider all feedback as a gift, and be open to constructive criticism. Ask for objective feedback and how you can improve. Make the effort to learn from your mentor and encourage them to continue investing their time with you.”

Jaden Youngs
Major: Social Work

aden Youngs is a Senior in the Social Work department. He is a CREAR Futuros peer mentor at Lehman College and a social work intern at George M. Davis Elementary school. He also is a library aide and editor for Lightning Central. Previously a mentee in CREAR Futuros, he decided to become a mentor so he can help new students feel less stressed about the different environment that is college in the same way that his previous mentor has. Jaden hopes to become a student advisor when he finishes his education.

Jaden's Advice to Students

“The undeniable truth of life is that it is difficult. Once we move forward knowing that, the small things begin to matter even more. It’s easy to give up when things get tough, but persevering despite it all will demonstrate your tenacity and willpower. Don't be afraid to ask for help.”

Meet Our Student Mentors

Aryanna Chiraunjilal Major: Health Service Administration