ESOL Connect has been launched to better serve the English for Speakers of Other Languages community.
Nashville State Community College is introducing a new peer-to-peer advising program for the English for Speakers of Other Languages community on campus. The new initiative is spearheaded by Renae Rakidzic, the assistant director of the Student Success Center at the Southeast campus of Nashville State Community College, which has the largest population of English for Speakers of Other Languages students. Grant funding from the Advising Success Network led to the program launching with the Fall 2025 semester.
According to an article on Nashville State Community College’s website, Rakidzic was quoted as saying, “We can explain why ESL is beneficial, but we’ve never experienced it ourselves. I had done some research on it [peer advising] and so we thought we could do something on that to give students better support. We began thinking about what we could do and what do our students need. Our great team was a huge part of NSCC receiving the funds and helped write the toolkit that will be published by the ASN for other institutions to replicate our work.”
Funding was secured from ASN by Rakidzic, student success advisors Jayme Hay and Michael Sostre, and data analyst Kati Murphy. The team realized that the ESOL students on the Southeast campus were experiencing a gap in terms of the level of support they were receiving when compared to native English speaking students. The team hired Verenice Murrieta and Luis Parra as the first two ESOL Connect peer advisors, as both had gone through the ESOL program themselves and could offer a unique perspective.
Parra said, “I know firsthand how challenging it can be to be a student in another country. As an ESOL student, you must adapt not only to a new language, but also to a completely different educational system. When I started, I often felt unsure because of the language barrier, but the professors and the NSCC community supported me and helped me succeed. Because of that experience, I want to step into this role to ensure other students feel a sense of belonging and know they have someone who truly understands their journey. I am most excited about mentoring new students and helping them find the resources they need to improve their skills. I want to support them not only in their journey as ESOL students, but also as they work toward their career goals.”
Murieta added, “I knew I wanted to support ESOL students in a meaningful way. Coming into college as an ESOL student can feel overwhelming, and I had people who guided me, supported me, and helped me believe that I belonged here. Becoming a peer advisor felt like a way to give that support back.”
In October, shortly after the ESOL Connect program launched, the team, including the two new student peer advisors, attended a conference held by a student advising organization, NACADA. The team was able to hear from other student advisors from around the country, participate in small group sessions meant to enhance advising skills, and network with higher education professionals.
Of the experience, Rakidzic said, “The students got to see what advising is all about. They got to see the impact they can have through peer advising and see what they can do for students just like them.”
Murieta said, “I see myself as a bridge between students and academics, and as a voice for ESOL students who may not always feel heard. Nashville State has strongly influenced who I am today by valuing diversity and cultural understanding, and that environment has made me more aware of how important representation and support are for student success.”
For more information about Nashville State Community College, visit the school’s website.