Meet Our 2023 Early Arrival Assistants

If you attended EAP as a First Year student, please describe how it helped you transition to Wheaton: The friends I made through attending the early arrival program are some of my closest friends now. The student arrival assistants I had mentored me and helped me feel at home at Wheaton. I also built connections with the Marshall Center staff where I can go to Mirey, Raquel or Jen for any help or advice.

How has the Marshall Center added to your Wheaton experience? The Marshall Center has connected me with so many incredible people who have helped me be more involved and has made Wheaton feel like a second home. The faculty always offer the best advice and they always have the best snacks 🙂

What do you like best about Wheaton? My favorite part about is some of the amazing people I’ve met, especially my housemates and my friends from the Marshall Center. I also love how caring the professors and faculty are, there is always someone to go to for advice and help.

Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, and/or serve in a leadership role on-campus? I am Co-President of Tulip House (one of our many amazing Theme Houses on campus) and Vice President of the Feminist Association of Wheaton (FAW)

Favorite spot on campus? The Dimple when its sunny or the Tulip House common room

Favorite food? Samosas

Favorite class you’ve taken? Creating a Just World Through Action

Favorite Campus tradition? Head of the Peacock!

Favorite music? Pop or R&B

Favorite book/podcast/show? Book: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo / Podcast: the TryPod / Show: New Girl

Must haves when moving into college? A box fan and a reusable water bottle

Samantha Benegas ‘25

Hometown: Brooklyn NY

Major/Minor: Double Major: Early Childhood Education & Psychology

If you attended EAP as a First Year student, please describe how it helped you transition to Wheaton: EAP helped me get a first glance of what Wheaton has to offer. I loved that I got the opportunity to settle into campus before class started. I enjoyed meeting new people through the different EAPs.

How has the Marshall Center added to your Wheaton experience? The Marshall Center is my home away from home. It is the place where I know I will feel welcome and get the support that I need. Also, the best snacks!

What do you like best about Wheaton? I love the people! Everyone is super friendly and willing to help in any way they can. Everyone waves and smiles as you pass them.

Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, and/or serve in a leadership role on-campus? Classroom Assistant at Elizabeth Amen Nursery School, Intercultural Peer Mentoring Program Coordinator, SOHL House Manager, Posse Scholar

Favorite spot on campus? Marshall Center!

Favorite food? Tacos de Carnitas

Favorite class you’ve taken? Child Psychopathology

Favorite Campus tradition? Candlelight Ceremony

Favorite music? Any Latino Classics

Favorite book/podcast/show? 9-1-1

Must haves when moving into college? Mattress Topper

Malia Gentile ‘26

Hometown: Pawtucket, RI

Major/Minor: Intended Environmental Science with Math minor

If you attended EAP as a First Year student, please describe how it helped you transition to Wheaton: Coming into Wheaton knowing no one, the EAP introduced me to a wide variety of people, most of which I am still close with today. The Intercultural Early Arrival program was a safe space for students of color to bond with students above and in their class years and faculty within the Marshall Center, Counseling Center, and other hubs on campus. I truly believe EAP was the best decision I made coming into Wheaton, as without it, I don’t know if I would have made the amazing connections I have today.

How has the Marshall Center added to your Wheaton experience? I have loved attending the events the Marshall Center has hosted like the International Bazaar, Early Arrival Reunion, and the Finals Week Detox. Each event brings students together with fun activities, crafts, food, and people, which promote an inclusive and inviting environment.

What do you like best about Wheaton? The clubs and organizations within Wheaton do an amazing job at bringing students together and ensuring there are always events on campus for students to enjoy.

Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, and/or serve in a leadership role on-campus? I am currently involved in Paraíso Latino and will be taking over the Treasurer position next semester.

Favorite spot on campus? Diana Davis Café

Favorite food? Chicken Caprese

Favorite class you’ve taken? Calculus II

Favorite Campus tradition? Holi

Favorite music? Kpop or R&B

Favorite book/podcast/show? Demon Slayer

Must haves when moving into college? Shower shoes, fan, robes, extra storage totes (under the bed)

Darren Gir ‘24

Hometown: Queens, NY

Major/Minor: Business Management: Healthcare Management Concentration

How has the Marshall Center added to your Wheaton experience? It has opened doors to opportunities for me that I never thought I could achieve. It has made me the embodiment of a student leader.

What do you like best about Wheaton? I love the nature at Wheaton and the people!

Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, and/or serve in a leadership role on-campus? I am the president of the Ohm Initiative on campus and former IGD Co Facilitator

Favorite spot on campus? Wheaton Woods Red Rock

Favorite food? Caribbean Food- Chicken curry, Jerk Chicken, Plantain

Favorite class you’ve taken? Organizational Behavior

Favorite Campus tradition? Spring Weekend

Favorite music? Hip Hop/Rap

Favorite book/podcast/show? The Prophet: Khalil Gibran

Must haves when moving into college? Shower Slippers, Laundry Basket (BIG ONE), Towels, A FAN (MULTIPLE)

Cat Le ‘24

Hometown: Milton, MA

Major/Minor: Major: public health sociology, Minors: Public Policy, Peace and Social Justice

How has the Marshall Center added to your Wheaton experience? The Marshall Center has connected me to so many amazing people who I’ve been able to meet through EAP, Intergroup Dialogue, or various events. The office itself is like another home to me and I love the supportive culture that the Marshall Center staff has fostered on campus.

What do you like best about Wheaton? It’s easy to build strong relationships with staff and faculty around campus since Wheaton is such a small school. I feel so supported in all of my endeavors because I have people around me who are dedicated to helping me succeed.

Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, and/or serve in a leadership role on-campus? Intergroup Dialogue Facilitator at the Marshall Center, Marshall Center Advisory Board Member, Co-President of WHISK, Co-President of Voices United to Jam, May Fellows Advisory Board Member

Favorite spot on campus? Davis House backyard

Favorite food? Chè (a Vietnamese dessert that translates to “sweet soup”)

Favorite class you’ve taken? Vietnamese classes at Brown University through the cross-registration program

Favorite Campus tradition? Slype Night (acapella)

Favorite music? Pop Punk, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, R&B

Favorite book/podcast/show? Avatar The Last Airbender

Must haves when moving into college? Fan, extension cord, Google Calendar

Joe Sato Murphy ‘26

Hometown: Portland, ME

Major/Minor: Film and New Media

If you attended EAP as a First Year student, please describe how it helped you transition to Wheaton: It helped me make friends, and build a support network before starting classes, which felt great, especially coming to college without friends from back home.

How has the Marshall Center added to your Wheaton experience? The people from the Marshall Center have helped me build a support network, as well as gain familiarity with people with similar backgrounds on campus.

What do you like best about Wheaton? So many people from different places!

Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, and/or serve in a leadership role on-campus? Smudge Magazine, and Film Collective

Favorite spot on campus? The Dimple for sure, especially at night

Favorite food? Salt and Pepper Squid over rice, and anything Ma La (Numbing Spicy)

Favorite class you’ve taken? Definitely Music Business, Stagecraft, or Documentary Storytelling

Favorite Campus tradition? Food Fest…I love food, what can I say?

Favorite music? I looooove Pinkpanthress, Aminé, Masego, and any British Rap

Favorite book/podcast/show? The Boys, Dragon Ball, or The Last of Us

Must haves when moving into college? Skateboard

T’Nysha Peete ‘25

Hometown: Boston, MA

Major/Minor: Psychology major, Sociology and English double minor

If you attended EAP as a First Year student, please describe how it helped you transition to Wheaton: EAP has helped me find a friend group on campus and I was able to find my footing on this campus early on.

How has the Marshall Center added to your Wheaton experience? The Marshall Center has given me a space where I can be my authentic self in this PWI without feeling any judgment.

What do you like best about Wheaton? I love the beautiful campus and how it is student-led. Wheaton is a home away from home for me.

Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, and/or serve in a leadership role on-campus? President of First-Generation House and Co-President of QTPOC

Favorite spot on campus? Sitting on a bench near Peacock Pond

Favorite food? Jerk chicken

Favorite class you’ve taken? Eng 101: Writing about Pop Culture

Favorite Campus tradition? Spring weekend

Favorite music? R&B

Favorite book/podcast/show? The Last Kingdom

Must haves when moving into college? Mattress pad, snacks, pictures of your family, a comfort item that reminds you of home

Renina Wynn ‘26

Hometown: Providence, RI

Major/Minor: History and Secondary Education

If you attended EAP as a First Year student, please describe how it helped you transition to Wheaton: When I attended EAP as a first year it really helped me build a community in such an interesting time. It was nice to come to campus and already be able to recognize some faces. EAP also taught me the importance of connections with being a person of color in school.

How has the Marshall Center added to your Wheaton experience? The Marshall Center has been a place of community and opportunity at Wheaton.

What do you like best about Wheaton? I love meeting people from all walks of life.

Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, and/or serve in a leadership role on-campus? Co-House President for Renaissance House, SOLE, BSA Procedural Advisor, SGA Executive Secretary

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