Between a frigid polar plunge in Oneida Lake, girl-powered workout sessions with Girl Gains and late nights at Orange After Dark, Syracuse University InclusiveU student Michaela Skye Mazur ’28 is never without something to do.
As one of many participants in InclusiveU’s Peer2Peer program—which pairs InclusiveU students with peer partners from across campus to build friendships through shared interests and activities—Mazur has immersed herself in the college experience.
InclusiveU mixed intramural basketball team member Emmanuel Bazile brings the ball up court as teammate Ryan Alviani runs alongside him.
In addition to managing a jam-packed social calendar, Mazur serves on the executive board of the campus chapter of Best Buddies International, which promotes one-on-one friendships for those with and without disabilities, and she is a member of the Special Olympics College Club’s unified basketball team.
For InclusiveU student Manushri Krishnan ’27, Peer2Peer is an opportunity to have fun and make friends. She has gone cosmic bowling, played arcade games and attended basketball and football games. She takes a yoga class and participates in the Peer2Peer art group. “I like to hang out with my peer partners,” she says. “We talk about what we like to do in our free time and get coffee.”
David Bulan (right) shares advice with teammates during an intramural league basketball game.
Creating a Dual Learning Experience
As the Peer2Peer program coordinator, Sarah Feldman ’24, G’25 matches InclusiveU students with peer partners, organizes activities and encourages them to participate in a range of recognized student organizations (RSOs), from First Year Players and CitrusTV to the outdoor outing and fragrance clubs. “Student leaders from across campus have been pushing to create inclusive social opportunities for all students,” Feldman says. “RSOs and Greek chapters have been reaching out to partner with us and make their organizations accessible to InclusiveU students.”
InclusiveU welcomed me into their school and amazing program with amazing people. This school has given me great opportunities to just be myself.
John Rorro '26
Many Peer2Peer participants are enrolled in the School of Education course Disability in School and Community—which all students in the inclusive teacher preparation programs take—but Peer2Peer welcomes student volunteers from across campus. “It’s a dual learning experience,” says Feldman, a master’s student in literacy education and founder of the Special Olympics College Club. “We consider it an opportunity to learn from each other, and our hope is that the peer partnerships foster genuine friendships.”
Enjoying Shared Social Events
Peer2Peer participants visited Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards last fall.
Feldman selects the program’s peer trainers, a group composed of InclusiveU and matriculated student employees who provide support at weekly social events. The offerings include Orange After Dark events, such as outings at Dave & Buster’s and the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion, game nights, Orange sports events and a variety of interest groups. This winter, they organized an InclusiveU mixed intramural basketball team, which won its first-ever game in January. “It’s a lot of fun,” says peer trainer Spencer Walsh ’26, who coaches the team. “The students love it. I love it.”
Game Night is popular among Peer2Peer participants. Pictured (counterclockwise from left): Jack Pasquale, John Rorro, Mia Filippone, Spencer Walsh and Margaret Sidoti.
Walsh, an applied data analytics major in the School of Information Studies, is also in his second year as a residential mentor, supporting InclusiveU students who live on campus. He cherishes his friendships with InclusiveU students and enjoys attending football, basketball and lacrosse games with the Peer2Peer group. For a twist in interests, he says InclusiveU student Wyatt Humpf ’26 introduced him to cabaret and a cappella performances. “I had no clue what a cabaret was,” Walsh says, “but the whole night was a great time.”
A Zumba exercise class is among the many activities that Peer2Peer participants enjoy.
Peer trainer Emma Wareing ’25 is an inclusive childhood education major, Special Olympics executive board member and an InclusiveU academic mentor. She leads a Zumba interest group and looks forward to different events and introducing peers to new activities. “The program has helped me develop my interpersonal skills by allowing me to work with all different types of people and give and receive support in various ways so that everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” Wareing says. “I just love the relationships I have with everyone I’ve met through Peer2Peer.”
Encouraging Participation
John Rorro makes a move in Connect 4 at Game Night.
As a peer trainer, InclusiveU student John Rorro ’26 encourages new students to attend events and meet new people as he wants to help others develop community and a sense of independence. “I’ve been in their shoes, so I know it’s scary to start college at a big campus like Syracuse, but I want them to come here, be safe and go to classes, have fun and just live it up,” he says.
Rorro, who’s studying sport management, embraces his leadership role, demonstrating for others what they can achieve. He’s a manager with the Orange football team, and he coaches and serves on the executive board of the Special Olympics club. “InclusiveU welcomed me into their school and amazing program with amazing people,” he says. “This school has given me great opportunities to just be myself.”
