Mishawaka High launches multilingual learner ambassador program to boost peer mentoring and belonging

Mishawaka — School City of Mishawaka trustees heard a presentation on May 7 about a new Multilingual Learner ambassador program at Mishawaka High School designed to provide peer academic support, cultural connection and leadership opportunities for students learning English.

District staff said the program emerged from a department self‑evaluation and pairs multilingual learners with trained student ambassadors during advisory time to provide tutoring and mentoring.

Dr. Stockdale introduced the program and credited several staff and students for building it. "One of the recommendations that came from that self evaluation was to create a program to support students through peer mentorship," Dr. Stockdale said. Randy Bridal and Malu Lyman led the teacher team and described weekly meetings during advisory time and plans to expand participation and encourage mentees to become mentors.

Student mentors described benefits firsthand. Angela Ansanja, who said she was born in Malawi and moved to Mishawaka in 2021, told the board the program has helped her "gain confidence to speaking around people" and allowed mentees and mentors to bond over shared experiences. Senior mentor Leslie Ordonez said the program helps younger students navigate high‑school challenges and provides a positive support network.

Organizers said the program intends to increase participation, encourage mentees to become mentors and eventually launch an international student organization to celebrate cultural backgrounds. The board received the update and thanked students and staff who presented.