A.B.S. offers new student leadership opportunities

By Mack Eon

The transition from life at home to life away at college can feel overwhelming, with many first-year students struggling to adjust to life on campus. 

Advocates for a Brighter Stonehill (ABS), a student leadership program run through the Office of Intercultural Affairs, is designed to make that transition smoother by providing mentorship, community, and support to incoming students. 

“The point is to help freshmen through the first year of college,” said Chelsea Mukuria ’26. “You act as a mentor to freshmen with all aspects of college life- social, academic, and even some administration stuff.” 

The program pairs first-year students with upper class mentors who have recently navigated the same challenges. Mukuria, who is involved as a mentor, explained that her decision was personal.  

“I chose to be an ABS mentor because I have a little sister, and this program reminds me how I’d be taking care of her in her freshman year of college. Being far away from my family allows me to care for someone else how I’d care for her,” she said. 

A key message from the Office of Intercultural Affairs is inclusivity. The IXP (Intercultural Affairs Experience), a perquisite to the ABS program, and ABS itself are open to all students, regardless of background.  

Director of Intercultural Affairs Teddi Nguyen Lydon clarified what she believes to be a common misconception about these programs.  

“There is a misconception that only certain identities are able to be a part of the IXP program, but that is not true, anyone can be an ABS leader, we want to serve the whole community,” she said.  

Nguyen Lidon went on to describe how first year students come through the IXP program into ABS.  

“First-years we service sign up through the IXP program throughout the summer, at orientation,” she said. “The program is designed to be a smaller scale orientation of sorts. We understand that some students may come in with a lot of anxiety, and need that smaller, more close-knit environment,” she said.  

Darcie Garcia ’26, the student head of ABS, highlighted how identity plays a role in the IXP experience.  

“In the IXP program, we speak a lot on identity. We have an activity where people write down both their external and internal identities, and I think it helps people find what their identity is made up of.”  

For many, ABS becomes more than mentorship- it becomes a source of belonging.  

“I’ve heard from members of the ABS program that it creates a space for those who don’t feel representation,” Garcia said. “It creates a space where people feel seen where they may not feel seen in other places around campus- not just particular identities or marginalized identities, but it creates a space for everyone to represent themselves.” 

The bonds built often last beyond the first year. ABS operates as a yearlong program, and many mentees eventually return as mentors. Garcia emphasized the environment that the ABS program creates for its members.  

“The program has a very family feel,” she said. “There is a wide span of personality types, and we work to build bridges in the community here at Stonehill. If there is someone who wants to do that work, we welcome them.” 

Recruitment for the 2026–2027 academic year begins in December, with applications announced in the Intercultural Happenings Newsletter.