During an evening on UNC Charlotte's campus in the Cone Center, a Student Advising for Freshman Excellence counseling meeting was tucked away in the softly lit, ginger colored burlap wallpapered lounge area. Three freshmen and SAFE counselor Brandee "Kool-Aid" Stephens sat on the tan, purple, and green patterned cushioned seating. Stephens, a senior and sociology major was in professional dress: black slacks, black collared shirt, and a striped multi-purple colored tie, which she'd worn to an earlier presentation.

She led the meeting with the question, "What one good thing and one bad thing has happened to you since last week? ". She went first, allowing them time to consider the question. The group was comfortable with one another, laughing, sharing funny stories and personal issues. Stephens listened atentively to her mentees, and then would offer them advice or just her inside perspective.

The one male freshman of the group , Lee Evans, who had lounged comfortably on the ground during the meeting, was asked how Stephens has helped him most as a mentor.

"Networking…you just tell people you know Kool-Aid," said Evans.

Apart from being a SAFE counselor she is a member of several organizations: Campus Activities Board, Chain Reaction, PRIDE, B.E.S.T., PILOT, FAME One, and Merge, which has made her a well recognized student across campus.

Stephens, 21-years-old, picked up the nickname Kool-Aid in middle school. There is no significant story behind the nickname, it just stuck, she said. Stephens is originally from Greensboro, N.C. and has 2 older sisters. When asked if her sisters were as involved she said, "We are each motivated in our own way for different reasons."

"I'm probably involved in all these activities because I would have a lot of free time," said Stephens, "and I feel like if I'm always constantly busy doing something that it pushes me to actually …do my school work."

SAFE counseling is a volunteer program for first year students and a job and resume opportunity for upperclassmen. As a SAFE counselor, a person is assigned six freshmen to mentor through "all the challenges any first year college student can face," said Stephens. Since 2005 she has been part of the SAFE program, and started as a freshman SAFE member.

The main reason for Stephens to become a mentor for the program was her counselor, saying how she wanted to "give back like she gave to me."

If students decide to leave, Stephens lets them know that she is always there despite being in or out of the program.

"She would always help me in any way she could. She would do the same for other students as well…Kool-Aid will go out of her way to help others," said Danielle Anderson, a friend of Stephens, who as a freshman was not under Stephens' counseling.

"I have always told her that I am so proud of her, because it takes a special person to be so compassionate about helping others and be excellent at it," said Anderson. "I know she is an inspiration to others as well, because those who she helped are doing big things on campus, holding positions, tutoring, and mentoring."

Ironically, when Stephens was asked if anyone inspired her to be motivated on campus she said, "Not really, nobody but myself."

Her involvement in SAFE gives motivation to other students and those in the program. Stephens has worked with the Assistant Dean of Students Lorraine Acker, who oversees SAFE.

Acker said Stephens's personal qualities help her as a mentor. Stephens "sets realistic goals for herself, which helps her as a SAFE counselor… and her consistency helps her students…Plus she's good at interacting with different types of students," said Acker.

Spring semester, Stephens will graduate and afterwards she has plans to attend graduate school. She hopes to achieve a master's degree in higher education to further a career in student affairs.