DURING THE LIVES OF CONSEQUENCE CAMPAIGN, 374 DONORS MADE LEADERSHIP GIFTS.
Whether they created expendable or endowed funds, their gifts are supporting Amherst and its students in essential—and innovative—ways. When Janna Behrens, director of international experience, first proposed study abroad peer advising, the idea was met with enthusiasm but funding wasn’t available. That changed a year later, thanks to an allocation from
THE ERIC R. HATTLER 1987 FUND FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP. Hattler established the expendable fund in 2011 to support new initiatives relating to student leadership. It’s now creating diverse opportunities for students to help other students—and some exciting solutions to challenges facing colleges nationwide. Behrens was able to employ two seniors who provided study abroad information from a student perspective.
“One was an economics major who had studied in France.
The other was a geology major who did research in New Zealand,” said Behrens.
“We worked closely, and I treated them as paraprofessionals. They held drop-in hours and organized a variety of special events, all of which were well attended. In turn, they gained solid experience in the ¿eld of international education.”
The pilot was so successful that study abroad peer advising now is part of the annual budget. “The Hattler Fund made that possible,” said Behrens. “And this year we have three students working as peer advisors.”