Peer Navigators: Meet Diamond Leggett

Name: Diamond Leggett

Hometown and Undergraduate University: I’m from Dunn, NC.
I graduated from Campbell University in 2014 with a B.S. in Biology. I took a few years off and then graduated from Winston Salem State University in 2019 with a B.S. in Chemistry.

Hobbies: chasing my daughter Kai around the house and watching Netflix

What is your role as a Peer Navigator?
My role as a Peer Navigator includes providing support and encouragement for the first-year medical students. As peer navigators, we all have different focus areas that reflect our diverse backgrounds and insight. My focus areas are study skills, non-traditional student, racial minority, time management (LOL), having kids in medical school, mental health, and wellness and anxiety. Even as a second year, these things are still a challenge!

Why did you get involved?
As a new mom in medical school, I think it’s important to have a community of peers you can turn to for anything. I loved the support and help I received as a first year, so I wanted to make sure to be that support for someone else. Peer Navigators is an amazing example how CUSOM fosters an atmosphere of teamwork and community. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, but having classmates and peers who know what it feels like makes all the difference.

What are some of the most valuable ways you think Peer Navigators serve the student body?
Peer Navigators provide Office Hours for students to drop by for whatever they might need. Those hours are an awesome time to check-in and talk about anything from study methods to mental health tips. We provided numerous resources such as our Survival Guide and help sessions before the school year began – they are a tremendous help. We also host amazing events like the Mock OSCE for Clinical Skills to help the first years get practice and build confidence.

What do you want fellow students and future students to know?
As a peer navigator, I want all of the first years to know that we are here for any and everything! Please stop by and say hello or reach out if there is anything specific that you need. Always be proud of yourself no matter what. We have all been there and know what it’s like to navigate through the first year, so lean on us for support 🙂

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou