Sometimes leadership begins quietly: in a hallway, during a hard season, when you see a flyer and decide to take a chance.
Gisselle Oval is one of the first Peer Leaders from the PeerForward in the College sector. She attended Broward College in Florida where she happened across the PeerForward program via a poster on campus. She credits her experience as a PFiC Peer Leader with helping her to hone her communication skills, specifically communicating with transparency and integrity.
Even after her time as a PFiC Peer Leader concluded, she wasn’t ready to part from PeerForward. During the summer of 2024, she returned as part of the Alumni Support Team at our University of South Carolina Workshop. The following year, she attended our UNLV Workshop, this time as a member of our newest Coaching Cohort. She sat down with us to share more about how the PeerForward program equipped her with the necessary tools to succeed while guiding her peers down the same path:
Can you tell me how you first found PeerForward?
I was attending Broward College in Florida, just trying to get back into the rhythm of school. I remember walking through the halls, feeling overwhelmed, and I saw a poster for PeerForward. I thought, I’m already on campus all the time, why not check it out? That moment led me to become one of the first Peer Leaders in the PeerForward in College (PFiC) program. I applied to become a peer mentor on a whim, and that decision changed everything.
Through PeerForward, I found resources I didn’t even know existed. This included free tutoring, academic support, office hours, and people whose job it was to help students figure things out. As a first-generation college student, that access mattered a lot. Once I found those resources, I made sure other people knew about them too.
What made you step into a leadership role?
I always think about the people who might be afraid to ask for help. In class, I’d look around and think; I know I’m not the only one confused. So, I started speaking up first. I was asking questions and making it clear when I didn’t understand something. Once I did that, other people felt more comfortable doing it too. What started as helping myself turned into helping others.
What kind of impact did that have on other students?
It was real. I noticed that a lot of students, especially commuters and international students, didn’t know where to go when they needed help. I started connecting people to resources for food, housing, tutoring, and even help with visas.
One of my mentees was getting ready to go back to her home country because she thought she had no other options. I told her to go talk to the right office on campus. That one step helped her secure her visa, stay in the U.S., and keep going with school. She ended up getting a full-ride scholarship to the University of Miami. That’s when it really hit me just how much just sharing information can change someone’s life.
What did you see your peers going through?
A lot more than people realize. Some of the peer mentors I worked with were experiencing homelessness. They were still showing up every day, helping other students, while dealing with so much behind the scenes.I made sure they knew about things like food pantries, hygiene supplies, and safe places on campus where they could get what they needed.
Later, I got to watch them walk across the stage and receive their diplomas. That’s something I’ll carry with me forever. “If I’m going to make it, I’m going to help other people make it too.”
What did you learn through PeerForward in College?
PeerForward really helped me grow, especially in how I communicate. People always talk about communication like it’s just talking, but for me, it became about integrity and transparency. When you’re working with a team, you have to communicate — that part can be taught. But being honest about what you’re actually going through? That’s harder.
A lot of people show up smiling even when their world is falling apart. I always tell my mentees: you can be the best person in the world, but if your world is crumbling and you keep trying to push through without being real about it, you’re only going to make it worse for yourself. Be transparent with your team and be honest, it goes a long way.
What are you doing now, and how has this come full circle?
Right now, I’m studying electrical engineering at Florida International University, and I want to work in global communications systems. I know people expect engineers to be quiet or reserved, but that’s not me. I’m going to show up as myself! PeerForward helped shape that. It taught me to lead with honesty, integrity, and to be real about when things are hard.
PeerForward is still a big part of my life. Now I come back as an alum and part of the Coaching Cohort, supporting the next group of Peer Leaders the same way I was supported.
What should people understand about your journey?
It hasn’t been easy. After a car accident, I stepped away from school for a while. I was dealing with a spinal condition and struggling with addiction tied to pain medication.
When I found PeerForward, I didn’t even meet the GPA requirement. But someone saw something in me and gave me a chance. I took it and ran with it.
What does PeerForward mean to you now?
To me, it’s proof that students really are the most powerful influence in each other’s lives. I didn’t just find support; I turned around and gave it to others. And now, coming back and supporting students as an alum, I get to keep that going. Because of that, more students are finding their way and realizing they don’t have to do it alone.
Feeling inspired by Giselle’s story? Are you ready to make a difference? Step up to the plate and join us at one of our summer Workshops! Now is your chance to enrich the future generation of leaders. Check out our role descriptions and apply below!
