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. 


Contact: peerministers@uwnewman.org

Our 2024-2025 Peer Ministers

Alex morgan

Hi, I’m Alex and I’m excited to be a peer minister! I have been coming to Newman since I arrived on campus, and have been amazed by how much I’ve grown in relationship with God and his wonderful community here. At UW, I’m majoring in physics and minoring in music. In my free time I create and appreciate music of all kinds – from playing in the UW Steelband last year to composing orchestral music. This is the second year that I will be serving as a Music Ministry Lead and First Year Group Leader. I am excited to serve you all – let’s be saints!

Clare fesalbon

Hi, I'm Clare! I've been a part of the Student Ministry Team since 2022, serving as a Freshmen Group Leader and as an SMT Executive. I'm excited to take on a new role in ministry as a Peer Minister and look forward to getting to work and grow with my team. I hope that my experience in previous ministry roles will help me better serve Newman and help nurture the community. A few fun facts about me: I play the bass guitar, I have 8 siblings (one of which is a former PM!), and I'm going to graduate this year with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering! I'm excited to serve you all this year and can't wait to get to know you better!

DALTON EARNEST

Hello everyone, my name is Dalton! I have been coming to Newman since starting my undergraduate career here at UW studying biology, and I have slowly become more involved through the years. Last year I was part of the Student Ministry Team and helped with a few retreats and events around Newman. I hope that this year will allow me to grow in fellowship with other students, regardless of faith, and grow in my relationship with Christ and my fellow PMs. I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Nikhil victor

Hello! My name is Nikhil Victor and I have been coming to Newman since my sophomore year at UW. I am honored to serve as a peer minister at the Newman Center this upcoming year and leave a lasting effect as this is my last year at UW. I am excited to lead along my fellow peer ministers and grow with all of you as well. A few facts about me, I am passionate about photography, playing the guitar, cars, and many outdoor activities. Feel free to reach out as you begin or continue your journey at the Newman Center and with the Lord. Have a blessed day.  

TIFFANY BLANCO

Hello! My name is Tiffany and I'm a 3rd year at Seattle Pacific University studying Music Performance! I have been living in Seattle for almost 11 years and 10 out of those years I have been attending masses with my family at UW Newman Center. After a reversion in college, especially thanks to Newman, I have been nourished in faith, prayer, friendship, and opportunities to serve! I am so grateful to be serving my third year of ministry at Newman!  My hopes this year are to simply abide in the love of the Lord, foster community and friendship with others, and joyfully and lovingly serve! 

VIVI KONDRAT

If you had told me a few years ago I’d be living at a Catholic Church to help others get to know God better, I would have been doubtful at best. But during my time here at UW, God has helped open my eyes to the adventure and joy it is to love Him, and I’m excited to encounter our community in this new way this year! I’m the oldest of six kids, love to sing and listen to choral music, and am always down for a good dance in the rain. I’d also rather run to places than walk—especially (hopefully!) to heaven alongside the other Peer Ministers and all of you!

 

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

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