GREENEVILLE – Students who participate in a new initiative at Tusculum University that fosters further growth in their faith will receive one-on-one guidance and support from a peer mentor who shares their love for the Lord.
Abbi Douglas, left, and Rio Little stand in front of the Tusculum Arch.
As part of its new Christian Leadership Institute, Tusculum is establishing the Discipleship Living-Learning Center. It will provide the opportunity for first- and second-year students to live in university-owned houses with fellow Pioneers who are focused on deepening their connection with God. They will partake in Bible study, including hearing from local pastors and other Christian leaders, and engage in other ministry activities.
Assisting them will be a third- and fourth-year student or graduate student who will also reside there and serve as a peer mentor. The mentor will have weekly discipleship sessions with the younger students, assist with the running of the Bible sessions and help students with any other spiritual resources they need.
Serving as peer mentors for the first year will be Abbi Douglas, a graduate student, and Rio Little, a rising junior. Douglas, who is completing her Master of Sport Management at Tusculum in August and will then enroll in the Master of Arts in Organizational Training and Performance Management, will be the mentor for the female house. Little, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sport science, will mentor students in the male house.
“We are impressed with Abbi’s and Rio’s commitment to their faith and desire to help younger students navigate this time in their lives,” said Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Having an older student who has already experienced ups and downs in college will be extremely helpful and provide perspective for younger Pioneers. Abbi and Rio will be valuable partners for those students and help further strengthen God’s presence on campus.”
Douglas remembers when she was an undergraduate student, feeling lost in many ways and finding herself in some circles with people who did not serve her well. Later, she reflected and wished she had had someone who would have guided her in a Christian manner.
When she came to Tusculum for graduate school, Douglas met Betty Smith, whose husband David used to be the pastor of Tusculum Baptist Church. Starting in November, Douglas began meeting weekly with Betty Smith, who served as her mentor and helped her with life.
“I would just like to pass that on and let girls know that you don’t have to go along with everything,” she said. “There are people who are striving to do the right thing and grow their relationship with God. Having somebody to look up to does make a big difference.”
Little has always held an interest in becoming involved in ministry and, particularly, working at camps. But he is also a football player and was unable to find a camp that he could fit around his athletic schedule.
“God just opened up this opportunity for me to step into this leadership role at the Discipleship Living-Learning Center,” Little said. “They were looking for a leader, and I thought, ‘That sounds awesome.’ I spoke to someone, who shared with me a little bit about it, and that person went and told Dr. Cook about it. Dr. Cook reached out to me and said he heard I was interested, and I said to myself, ‘This is perfect.’ The odds of that happening are just too low to not be something God wanted me to do. I’m excited to step in that position.”
Little learned about the opening for a male peer mentor when he served in May as a greeter and helper at the Christians in Business Dinner. The dinner was held to recognize the late Chuck Bowlin and raise money for $2,000 annual scholarships for each student who lives in the Discipleship Living Learning Center. A couple of things struck Dr. Cook: Little wrote a note saying he would pray for the students who lived in the Discipleship Living-Learning Center and donated some money to the cause.
Little also spoke with Dr. Cook’s father and Dr. Greg Nelson, chair of Tusculum’s Board of Trustees. That prompted them to tell Dr. Cook that he should talk to Little because they felt he would be a good choice to be a peer mentor. Dr. Cook and Little spoke, and that led to Little being selected as the male peer mentor.
When Betty Smith and her husband, David, learned earlier this year about the Discipleship Living-Learning Center, they alerted Dr. Cook that Douglas would be an excellent choice to serve as a peer mentor. Dr. Cook spoke with Douglas about the position and Douglas prayed about it before telling him that she would be excited to take that role. She talked to Dr. Cook about Betty Smith’s influence on her and about her desire to support the younger students as a peer mentor.
Douglas, who is also a member of the women’s basketball team, spoke at the Christians in Business Dinner and gave some insight into the way she envisioned the women’s house would operate.
“Together, we will live in an intentional community to study God’s word, pray with one another and walk through life side by side,” she said. “This house is offering something different, a place where Jesus is the foundation and where a young woman can be encouraged to know Him and make Him known.”
Little envisions not only serving as a mentor but also offering friendship to the male students living in his house. He said he would be interested in meeting with the first- and second-year students more than once a week. It might be something totally fun, such as hiking, playing games or watching a movie because some instances of building community can be casual instead of solely spiritual.
“That whole method of making disciples will become a lot easier when you’re connected to the person you’re trying to disciple,” he said.
Douglas believes it will be beneficial for her to listen to the females in her house and discover their interests. She has learned that people feel more comfortable opening up when someone shows an interest in them. She intends to let them know that she really cares about what is happening with them and that making mistakes is a part of life. She said it is also important how she carries herself and how she speaks and reacts in situations.
“We’re thrilled to start the Discipleship Living-Learning Center so we can pour into these newer students and help them on their Christian walk,” Dr. Cook said. “We will also be resources to help Abbi and Rio with whatever they need to be successful mentors and draw even closer to God themselves. Building this community will have a meaningful impact on our students’ lives, not only while they are at Tusculum but also as they move forward following graduation.”
Students who are interested in residing in the Discipleship Living-Center or making a financial gift to support it can email Dr. Cook at dcook@tusculum.edu. Others who would like to financially support the Christian Leadership Institute can visit www.tusculum.edu/giving. To learn more about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu.