Upon learning she’d won September’s Peer Mentor of the Month Award, Daniela Pineda, a fourth-year international business student and Orientation and Transitions (O&T) mentor at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), felt deeply honoured by the nomination. “I always noticed the monthly announcements, but I had not really imagined winning. I thought, ‘I’m just going to keep working hard and see what happens,’” she said.
Recognizing a need and having the wherewithal to act accordingly is a skill set Pineda has been conscious of since she was a child. “I’ve always had a caring nature and wanted to be a helper, especially in support of seniors and children. The thought of someone feeling lonely and isolated breaks my heart.”
Pineda (right) is well-known for her kindness, care, curiosity and strong work ethic.
Pineda cites her family’s encouragement and support as being the foundation of her success, as they would assist her in benevolent efforts in their community in Naranjal, Ecuador. In fact, her mother and brother were in Kamloops during orientation and witnessed the first week festivities Pineda contributed to. “They were so excited for me,” she said. “This achievement is dedicated first and foremost to my grandfather, who passed away around the time of the interview for this role and is my reason to keep going; to my dad, for always believing in me; to my mom, without whose unconditional love I wouldn’t be able to continue; and to my grandmother, without her wise advice and prayers, I wouldn’t be where I am.”
She also credits her boyfriend Ali, who’s her biggest fan. “When I was a new student at TRU, I was very shy because I didn’t have confidence in my English comprehension. I didn’t want to talk or be involved in any university events. Ali used to say, ‘You’re good enough, don’t be so hard on yourself.’ Now that’s something I say to students.”
Kayla Sanford, an O&T learning strategist, who nominated Pineda, said: “Daniela’s generosity and care are most clearly exemplified in her interactions with mentees. She works hard to share her experiences and to ensure they know she will support them through the ups and downs of the first-year experience.”
Pineda’s sense of empathy and emotional intelligence pairs well with a practical, action-oriented mindset, which is a valuable combination for success.
“Daniela was instrumental in the planning and implementation of campus tours, TRUsa Palooza, TRUesdays and Speed Friending,” Sanford said. “When generating event ideas, she places herself in the shoes of new-to-TRU students.”
Last year, Pineda participated in a workshop to unpack the “imposter monster” and self-doubt in the university setting. The programming made Pineda feel more confident and helped develop practices and systems to keep her feeling organized and grounded. “A lot of things clicked for me. This ‘monster’ stems from our self-perceptions. I’ve learned that a healthy dose of impostor syndrome can be reframed as humility, allowing you to think before you act, critically assess your choices and understand that a lack of self-worth can impact your ability to advocate for yourself.”
When engaging in peer mentorship, either as mentors or mentees, Pineda believes students are most interested in boosting confidence and making friends. Typical concerns for new-to-TRU students include homesickness, breakups from long-distance relationships, family pressures, juggling part-time jobs with studies, adapting to living in a new country or city and navigating academic challenges. While social media can provide a sense of digital community, Pineda worries that negative self-perceptions might impact person-to-person connections. “I encourage my mentees to try stepping out of their comfort zone. Friendships are not just about fun; they’re about survival. Being able to vent, laugh, and share frustrations and life hacks can be such a relief. It’s also comforting to know you’re not alone.”
Pineda has enjoyed engaging in cultural and community-centred experiences in Kamloops as well as on campus.
Through these powerful mentorship dynamics, new-to-TRU students are also taught that making mistakes is a normal part of the journey. University is about learning from experience and adjusting behaviour accordingly. Pineda learned how to balance the emotional and practical aspects of educational and professional life from her mentors and now shares the many gems that have benefitted her personal growth.
“I admire Julie Taylor, the student life manager, and the way she handles so many portfolios. She dedicates a lot of time and passion to making sure that everything is perfect. She also makes space to be present for staff and students, whether that’s catching up or checking on workload, she’s there for you.”
Taylor, who has worked at TRU since 2010, said, “I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many talented students involved in peer mentorship. Witnessing their personal and professional growth over the years is truly inspiring, and Daniela is a shining example of this. She has consistently demonstrated openness, flexibility, and a strong commitment to stepping outside her comfort zone to support others and deepen her own learning.”
Taylor notes that at the end of each year, she and Sanford always reflect on how rewarding it is to watch such exceptional individuals flourish and embark on new, exciting endeavours.
As for Pineda’s experience with Sanford, she said, “I don’t have words to encapsulate how amazing Kayla is and how much I’ve learned from her. She’s a blessing for me. I feel like God sent this opportunity to me at the right moment in my life. Working with the entire Student Life team over the summer was amazing. I’ve grown so much from the experience.”
Sanford adds, “Daniela’s consistent professionalism, adaptability, and reliability make her an invaluable member of the Orientation & Transitions team and the TRU community. Her priority was ensuring their needs were always at the centre of our programming.”
The TRU Peer Leader of the Month Award recognizes one or two peer leader(s) each month, from September to April, for contributions made to their mentees, peer leader group, the TRU community, and/or the broader Kamloops community. This award recognizes the diverse contributions made by peer leaders and rewards students who exemplify attributes such as passion, leadership, resilience, excellence, creativity and empathy.
