Franklin College’s Launch: The First-Year Experience is an initiative designed to help first-year students through their transition into life at Franklin College. Launch Mentors are junior and senior students who are chosen to provide support and guidance to first-year students as they navigate classes, adjust to a new environment and engage in all the resources and programs offered by Franklin College’s campus for the first time.

The following individuals were chosen for the Launch Mentor program for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Aubrey Allison, a junior from Covington, is an art history major with minors in painting and graphic design. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity.

Ella Beck, a sophomore from Greenwood, is an exercise science major on the pre-occupational therapy track. She is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and president of the Jump Rope Club.

Michiah Draper, a senior from Plainfield, is a sociology major with an emphasis in art. Draper is on the tennis team, a member of Sister 2 Sister and a Community Dinner intern.

Van Evanoff, a junior from Franklin, is a neuroscience major with a minor in math. He is a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity.

William Hirsch, a sophomore from Evansville, is a business management major with a digital marketing focus and is minoring in coaching. He is a member of the cross country and track teams. He is also a Student Ambassador, the co-founder of Film Club, a member of Student Government Association, Student Entertainment Board, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and Intervarsity.

Jackson Jent, a sophomore from Bloomington, is a business management major with minors in environmental science and biology. He is a member of the soccer and track and field teams.

He is also a member of Student Entertainment Board, vice president of communications for Student Government Association, vice president of Intervarsity, a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Maddie Levell, a sophomore from Vevay, is biomedical science major with minors in chemistry and sociology. She is on the women’s soccer team, a member of Earth Club and is pursuing a Digital Fluency Endorsement.

Olivia Mahoney, a junior from Washington D.C., is a history major with minors in sociology and women’s studies. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity, Student Government Association and Student Entertainment Board.

Riley Shaff, a junior from Franklin, is an exercise science major on the pre-athletic training track. He is a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and Exercise Club. Shaff also enjoys participating in intramural sports.

Addy Sheets, a junior from Madison, is a creative writing major with minors in English and psychology. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity, Student Entertainment Board, Active Minds, Education Club, H.O.P.E. and Student Foundation. Sheets is also a Student Ambassador and writes for the Apogee, Franklin College’s student-run literary journal.

Rylin Sherron, a sophomore from Crown Point, is a multimedia journalism and public relations double major with a minor in psychology. She is director of the First-Year Experience and director of membership for Delta Delta Delta sorority. Sherron is also a reporter for The Franklin.

Clayton Shull, a senior from Muncie, is a public relations and Spanish double major. Shull is president of the Student Government Association, vice president of recruitment for the Interfraternity Council, and a supplemental instructor. He is also a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, Student Entertainment Board and Student Foundation.

David Sieg is a senior from Ramsey in his first year of the Franklin College Masters in Athletic Training program. He is a member of the Franklin College Athletic Training Club and president of the Disc Golf Club.

Hope Smith, a sophomore from Fairland, is an English major with a minor in public relations. She is on the Student Entertainment Board and a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Monica Velazquez-Cortes, a senior from Franklin, is a business (finance) major with minors in accounting and quantitative methods. She is president of LatinX Student Association, vice president of administration for Student Government Association and vice president of Jump Rope Club. She is also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity, DECA (formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America) and is a member of the cheerleading team.

Emma Watson, a sophomore from Greenwood, is a biomedical science and multimedia journalism double major. She is on the women’s soccer team and a member of Earth Club.

Zaira Watterson, a sophomore from Indianapolis, is a neuroscience major with a minor in English. She is a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and treasurer of the Commuter Student Organization.

Nic Whitecotten, a senior from Greenwood, is a business and accounting double major with a minor in data science. He is on the men’s volleyball team, a supplemental instructor and president of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.

By: Anna Cecil ’26

Franklin College Pulliam Fellow