PEER MINISTRY AT THE NEWMAN CENTER

In keeping with our mission to form the future leaders of our Church and world, the Newman Center uses a system of student leadership called “Peer Ministry”.

Each year, 4-6 students are selected from a pool of applicants to work side by side with the staff in running the ministry.  Housed in an apartment with individual rooms above the Newman Center, the Peer Ministers learn to balance school, ministry, and their personal lives in service to their fellow students.  It’s a demanding year of sacrifice, but an extremely rewarding experience.  In the end, peer ministers and the Student Ministry Team are responsible for the majority of the programming, innovation, and activity of the ministry.  At any given time during the day, chances are you’ll find a peer minister roaming the halls, hanging out at the Newman table on campus, serving a Mass, or hosting an event at Newman. 

Inspired by the success of former Newman Director Fr. William Dean Dooley OP (1948-1960) to use Catholic soldiers to catechize other soldiers during WWII, the program trains students to minister to each other.  After a week of intensive training at the Dominican Institute of Student Ministry, peer ministers become Newman’s primary student leaders.  They’re responsible for everything from planning the massive SEARCH retreat to cleaning the bathrooms! 

Often times, students have a unique credibility with each other that community members, staff, parents, and even priests, don’t have.  By training students to fill positions of leadership in the ministry, they’re given greater opportunity to relate to their peers and more effectively support them through the faith transitions common to college life.  This ultimately leads newer students to realize that they should take their faith seriously, that there are other students out their struggling with the same things, and that there are answers to their most intimate and troubling questions.  And that you can be Catholic and cool at the same time! 

Since 1989, Peer Ministers have been some of the greatest advocates of the ministry, and each has left a profound impact on the lives of the students – not to mention the ministry as a whole.  We continually thank all that have served.  But as any peer minister will tell you, their gifts to the community are matched, if not surpassed, by the gratitude they feel for the transformative opportunity to serve their fellow Catholic Huskies. 

Our 2025-2026 Peer Ministers

Contact: peerministers@uwnewman.org

Bianca Guerrero

Hi y’all! My name is Bianca and I’m currently a senior studying mechanical engineering! Although I’ve even had the chance to build literal rockets, I never would’ve guessed the Newman Center would end up being one of my favorite parts of college.

Being a part of this community has given me a place to build lasting friendships, experience unforgettable travels, and, most importantly, deepen my relationship with God. When I’m not studying (a rare sight, trust me), you can usually find me spending time with friends or exploring Seattle in search of the best matcha and coffee spots. I’m so excited to serve you this year!

CEcilia MeZa

Hello!! My name is Cecilia Meza, but most people call me Ceci, Cece, Sussy, or just C. I am a junior at the University of Washinton and I'm majoring in Informatics. I recently reverted back to Catholicism my freshman year thanks to the Newman Center, and I have been involved with the community since-- it has practically been my second home! What I love about Newman is how kind and sincere the students are here. There is no cookie cutter Catholic, we are all called to be a part of our Lord's Church. Anyways, I like pastels, boba, anime and I am always down for a spontaneous trip. If you're new to the faith or feel like coming back, feel free to reach out!

JOSEPHINE KAISER

Hiyo! My name is Josephine and over the past three years, Newman has helped me to understand what it means to put Christ at the center of my life. At Newman, I have found new and devoted friendships (like those in my fellow PMs) that allow me to grow in so many ways! I'm excited for the new things I will learn this coming year too.
I'm currently studying Biology and History and hope to become a high school teacher for both subjects! With the spare time I have, I enjoy knitting and am always up to bake a sweet treat with friends. Let me know what deserts are your favorite!!

KAMILI ANGEL

Hey! My name is Kamili Angel, I am a UW grad, class of 2025! I majored in psychology and found great interest in the clinical and behavioral sciences and therapies of psychology. I have been an involved at the Newman Center since my freshman year. Through my time here, I have found amazing friends who, like me, desired to put Christ in the center of their lives. In my spare time I like to read, spend quality time with friends, and make a good cup of coffee. I am so excited to serve the Newman community this year!

SAMUEL ABRAHAM

Hello! My name is Samuel Abraham, and I’m thrilled to serve you all as a Peer Minister this coming year. I grew up as a Protestant St. Thomas Christian, but was received into the Catholic Church in 2023 at this very Newman Center! Since then, I’ve been a lead for Music Ministry and a member of our Student Ministry Team. You might also catch me leading the Thomistic Institute and harassing people about how great St. Thomas Aquinas is…Aside from that, I study English, Latin, and Greek here at the University of Washington, and am always down for a good conversation about literature, theology, or beards. I can’t wait to meet all of you, God bless!

ZEGNA PICANO

I’m a senior at UW studying Mechanical Engineering and I’ve been coming to Newman since the start of my sophomore year. I’m extremely grateful for the Newman Center community and the positive impact it’s had on my life—it has helped me become someone I never imagined I could be two years ago. I am excited to be a PM and to help foster the community that has shown me and many others so much love.

I enjoy playing all the sports and I’ve decided a Newman team will win an intramural championship this year! I’m looking forward to taking full advantage of the Washington outdoors for my last year at UW and will definitely be organizing hiking, skiing, and camping trips!

Interested in learning more about Peer Ministry?  Contact our Campus Minister, Ellie Lande, or our Director, Fr. Marcin Szymanski.

Get to know them - check out our Peer Minister photo album and peer ministers past and present!