Finding a Commuter Friend Through the Commuter Assistant Program

By Leyna Thomas

Every day hundreds of Adelphi University commuter students follow the same schedule: drive to school, find parking, go to class, drive home. But unfortunately, because of the commute, students can miss out on the real college experience. The Commuter Assistant (CA) Program aims to solve this problem by assisting first-year commuter students or new transfer students on campus. They are willing to take on the role of a mentor and create long-lasting relationships to guide them through a good college experience. Just as the resident assistants are resources for the residents in dorms, CAs are seen as a valuable resource for the commuter students. 

When Alyssa Shapiro was a first-year, she said she was “nervous about making friends, as I really didn’t know anybody coming here.” Then she met her CA.

“My commuter assistant from when I was a freshman graduated last year and we

Shapiro (back row left) at CA training for her sophomore year. Her CA Abby- Gail Edwards is also in the photo, third from the right. Photo by Chloe Li

are just as good friends as we were back then,” said Shapiro, who is a senior nursing major and became a CA to help others connect to the university. “I loved the concept of having a resource that was a student just like me.”

A typical day can be overwhelming and after a long day of classes, all you want to do is finally go home and relax. Occasionally, some motivation is required to change things. “It is worth the extra hour and the connection,” said Jessica Diaz, a CA and a senior psychology major. “The biggest advantage students will have is being able to find their people.” 

Students can pair with a CA by filling out a Google form that is posted on their page on the Adelphi website. Students can also send an email to Shapiro, who is now the CA assistant. 

As upperclassmen, CAs understand the struggles of incoming freshmen and are willing to fill in the gap. In other departments, students are encouraged to talk to professors. But Shapiro said this program is more “personable” as commuter assistants reach out to new commuter students. Each commuter assistant is assigned a group of 10 to 12 commuters who connect through email or group messages.

“Groups [are] based on similarities, your major, where you commute from or shared interest,” Shapiro said. “This way you already have something in common with your commuter assistant.”  

If you want to be a Commuter Assistant, the steps are just as simple. After being in the program you can request to be on the other side and give and assist younger students. “Being part of the program and having a CA presents you with opportunities to find passions outside of your classes, engage with the Adelphi community around you, and make connections,” Shapiro said.  

To find out more, information is available on the Adelphi website. Commuter assistants also broadcast events to students through emails and engage with students by hosting fun events. These events take place in the University Center twice a month with food and giveaways to introduce new commuters to assistants who are happy to help and answer any questions and as a good friend, guide them through this new chapter in their life.