Peer Advisors

Charting Paths, Building Futures

What is a Peer Advisor?

Each first-year student is assigned to an upper-class student who is trained to serve as a source of information, point of first contact, and conduit to programs and services. Peer Advisors coach each student in the formation of the personal success plan and act as an advocate for student success. The personal success plan provides a framework for establishing specific, reasonable, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely goals for the first semester. It is much more probable that success will be realized when students have direction and purpose.

Who are the Peer Advisors?

Peer Advisors (PAs) hail from as close as right here in Springfield, MA, to as far as Florida! Peer Advisors undergo extensive training in order to better support first-year students. PAs have a strong focus on helping their advisees, and work to make YOUR transition as great as it can be!

How do I apply to be a Peer Advisor?

If you are interested in applying to be a Peer Advisor, click on the link below to learn more about the application process or attend an information session!

Apply to Be a PA

Please be aware that if you change your major, your Peer Advisor will change. Bookmark this page to revisit if you change your major to get to know all of the Peer Advisors!

2026-2027 Steering Committee

Mary-Kate Agnes

Hometown: Suffield, Conn.
Major: Psychology
Hobbies: Sourdough baking, shopping, and hanging out with my friends and family.
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m always available for support.

Blanca Amaya

Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
Major: Criminal Justice
Hobbies: I enjoy reading, hanging out with friends, spending time with my loved ones and learning new things.
Other involvements: President of the Student Senate, Lead OGL for SOAR 2026, and United and Mutually Equal
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? One thing I want my advisees to know is that I'm always available for them! Please never hesitate to reach out.

Emma Cassell

Hometown: Westfield, Mass.
Major: Management and Leadership
Hobbies: Playing golf and tennis and hanging out with my friends and family!
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I always want them to feel comfortable talking to me, and I am so excited to meet them.

Justin Gould

Hometown: Hadley, Mass.
Major: Electrical Engineering
Hobbies: Biking, swimming, paint balling, music
Other involvements: Jazz band, IEEE, ODK, Student Hub, calculus tutor, RF engineering aide, Golden Bear Band
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I love to cook.

Becca Kilday

Hometown: West Greenwich, R.I.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hobbies: Sewing and embroidery, hiking, wrestling
Other involvements: Women's Wrestling team, Student Senate VP, Gardening Club, Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I may seem busy, but I will always have time to answer any of your questions or help you out with something!

Amie Teixeira

Hometown: Ludlow, Mass.
Major: History with minors in Political Science and Education
Hobbies: Crocheting, knitting, and cooking
Other involvements: Gardening Club E-board and general member of Historical Society
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? That I’m always reachable; my phone and email are never off.

Margo Thompson

Hometown: Rutland, Vt.
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hobbies: Art, music, crafting, hiking, traveling
Other involvements: VP of Golden Bear Bands, Historian for Society of Women Engineers, C.A.R.E. Club, FIRST Robotics, Class of 2028 President
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I have tons of energy and will hype you up!!! Don’t let the hard days win, keep on keepin’ on!

2026-2027 Peer Advisors

Isabelle-Tioluwani Alabi

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Major: Criminal Justice
Hobbies: Reading, workouts, hanging out with friends
Other involvements: Criminal Justice Association, Black Student Union, Feminists Unite, Pre-law Society
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m so excited to meet you!

Paige Bailey

Hometown: Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Major/Minor: History/Communication
Hobbies: Reading and junk journaling
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I'm graduating this coming December! You're my last group of advisees.

Sam Beaulieu

Hometown: Ellington, Conn.
Major: Psychology and Criminal Justice
Hobbies: Drawing, music, thrifting
Other involvements: Golden Voices, Student Senate, Bear’s Ensemble, 2026 Cupola Award of Excellence Recipient
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m training to enter the Police Academy.

Alana Bouthillette

Hometown: Broomfield, Colo.
Major: Forensic Biology
Hobbies: Playing hockey, skiing, traveling
Other involvements: Women’s ice hockey
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m so excited to meet you! I’m quiet at first, but please come talk to me! I’d love to get to know everyone personally.

Brianna Brown

Hometown: Chicopee, Mass.
Major: Law
Hobbies: Traveling and hanging out with friends and family.
Other involvements: Student Senate
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? Always feel free to reach out!

DiAnna Brown

Hometown: North Attleboro, Mass.
Major: Forensic Chemistry
Hobbies: Playing volleyball, hanging with friends, scrapbooking
Other involvements: Club volleyball
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? Never hesitate to reach out. I’m always here to help :)

Lucas Cardella

Hometown: Pleasant Valley, N.Y.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hobbies: Weightlifting, jiu-jitsu
Other involvements: Men’s wrestling, CMMA Club and researcher in concrete lab
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? Always down for a workout.

Elise Catlett

Hometown: Ellington, Conn.
Major: Industrial Engineering
Hobbies: Baking, going to the gym, and spending time with friends
Other involvements: Women’s tennis, Society of Women in Engineering, Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am always here to help! Any questions that they have, I want them to feel comfortable to ask.

Sean Clark

Hometown: Somerset, Mass.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hobbies: Traveling, playing soccer, and hanging out with friends!
Other involvements: Intramural soccer
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am always here to help!

Yaniel Crespo

Hometown: Uncasville, Conn.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hobbies: Basketball, gym, writing, long-distance hiking/running, coding
Other involvements: Baja Club, Writers Forum, Jazz Band, Orientation Group Leader
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? Looking forward to the exciting fall semester, especially via representing 黑料科 Baja Club.

Julia Dumont

Hometown: Naugatuck, Conn.
Major: Elementary Education and Psychology
Hobbies: Dance, balking, play with my dog, and coloring
Other involvements: Dance team
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I was a first student too, so I understand how you’re feeling. Never be afraid to ask for anything.

Valerie Duval

Hometown: Inver Grove, Minn.
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hobbies: Ice hockey
Other involvements: SAAC, SWE, BME
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m excited to help with your journey at 黑料科!

Ashley Fernandez

Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
Major: BA in Law
Hobbies: Art and hanging out with family
Other involvements: United and Mutually Equal, Pre-Law Society
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am always here! And I love horror movies.

Sasha Garcia-Crawford

Hometown: West Haven, Conn.
Major: Criminal Justice and Psychology
Hobbies: Reading and spending time with friends
Other involvements: OGL, CJA, C.A.R.E. club
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m happy to help at anytime!

Yasmine Giacalone

Hometown: Peabody, Mass.
Major: Criminal Justice
Hobbies: Tennis, going to the beach, getting coffee, and shopping
Other involvements: Women’s tennis, SAAC
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I want to help you succeed and become the best version of yourself!

Joshua Goodman

Hometown: Ellington, Conn.
Major: History
Hobbies: Fishing, collecting, hiking, scuba diving, travel, and academics
Other involvements: Student Senate e-board, Class Council e-board, Psychology Club e-board, Historical Society e-board, head peer tutor
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I really enjoy helping others and watching them grow into leaders. It's so important to say "yes" to new opportunities!

Katherine Greenwood

Hometown: West Haven, Conn.
Major: Marketing Communication/Advertising
Hobbies: Sleeping, eating, socializing
Other involvements: Student Senate, Stageless Players

Kelsey Joiner

Hometown: White Lake, Mich.
Major: Health Studies
Hobbies: Hockey, outside activities
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am here to make your transition easier.

Claudia Lafleur

Hometown: Southwick, Mass.
Major: Construction Management
Hobbies: Snowboarding, dance, hanging with friends
Other involvements: Society of Women Engineers, CMAA, Dance Team, Ski and Snowboard Club, MCAA, ASCE
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am here to support them in any way they need and am excited to get to know them!

Kayla Ledoux

Hometown: Windsor Locks, Conn.
Major: Marketing Communication/Advertising
Hobbies: Gym, movies, and cooking
Other involvements: Women’s tennis and SAAC
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I want you to know that I’m here to advocate for you and make sure your voice is heard.

Meghan Lemieux

Hometown: Middletown, Conn.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hobbies: Roblox, gym, going to get sweet treats with friends
Other involvements: Vice President for the Society of Women Engineers, College of Engineering Representative on the Student Senate, research in the Concrete Lab
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? They can always come to me when they need anything!

Jenna Lynch

Hometown: Brookline, N.H.
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hobbies: Drawing, hockey, working out
Other involvements: SAAC, Captain's Counsel, SWE, BMES
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? Always happy to answer questions/be a resource and here to make your transition easier.

Oghenevoke Mba-Sam

Hometown: Delta, Nigeria
Major: Computer Engineering
Hobbies: Reading
Other involvements: Black Student Union, IEEE, Society of Women Engineers
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m open to talking and excited to know you all.

Gracey McDonald

Hometown: Granby, Conn.
Major: Civil Engineering with a concentration in Architectural Engineering
Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, crocheting, driving, and taking a Dunkin trip.
Other involvements: Track and field, Society of Women Engineers
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I want my advisees to know that they can always come to me without feeling judged. I’m here to listen, support them, and help them figure things out, no matter what they’re going through.

Colin McKenna

Hometown: Rockland, Mass.
Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: I love running, going to the beach, and hanging out with friends!
Other involvements: Class of 2029 Council, Club Volleyball
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am so excited to meet you all and help with your transition into college!

Liam Norton

Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.
Major: Secondary Education – History
Hobbies: Golf, watching sports, hanging out with my friends
Other involvements: Member of the Historical Society
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am very excited to meet all of you and I am always available to talk!

Lexi Piacenza

Hometown: Middletown, Conn.
Major: Accounting and Finance
Hobbies: Dancing, hanging out with friends and family, traveling, shopping and going to the gym.
Other Involvements: I am the treasurer of the financial literacy club; I am in the Beta Alpha Psi Honor Society, the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, and a member of the accounting association.
What is one thing you would like your advisees to know about you? I love a good vacation!

Emily Picolla

Hometown: Utica, N.Y.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hobbies: Lacrosse, photography, hiking, and listening to music
Other involvements: C.A.R.E., Women’s Lacrosse, SWE, 黑料科 Athletics Photographer
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m excited to help you transition into life as a Golden Bear :)

Elena Puiggari

Hometown: Glastonbury, Conn.
Major: Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace concentration
Hobbies: Reading, cooking, spending time with friends
Other involvements: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, Pickleball
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I like Legos.

Sarah Siedlecki

Hometown: Granby, Conn.
Major: Business and Finance
Hobbies: I like going to the gym, reading, painting, tennis, hiking, and backpacking.
Other involvements: Student Senate and Student Council
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I want them to always feel welcome to speak to me and that I am a very unserious person.

Clio Steele

Hometown: Newark, Vt.
Major: Law
Hobbies: Painting, hiking, and traveling
Other involvements: 2029 Class Council
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I'm here to support you. Don't hesitate to reach out!

Kayla Surprenant

Hometown: Enfield, Conn.
Major: Pharmacy
Hobbies: Field hockey, paddleboarding, hanging out with friends, going on walks (especially with my dog)
Other involvements: Women’s field hockey, SAAC
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am always here, no matter what, and I am very dedicated to helping you succeed!

Cora Taylor

Hometown: Stormville, N.Y.
Major: Management and Leadership
Hobbies: Cooking, baking, reading, hiking, and spending time with my friends!
Other involvements: CAB, C.A.R.E., and Class Council
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I love meeting new people and I am always here to help with anything you may need!

Johanyliz Torres

Hometown: Wilbraham, Mass.
Major: Criminal Justice
Hobbies: Art, music, working, volunteering
Other involvements: Waitress at Pafumis
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I have a Spanish seal of Biliteracy and can speak 2 languages fluently (Spanish and English).

Maelee Warren

Hometown: Longmeadow, Mass.
Major: Accounting and Finance
Hobbies: Dance, Traveling, Campus Involvement, Baking sourdough, Spending time with family and friends
Other involvements: Dance Team (Vice President), Ski and Snowboard Club (Vice President), Accounting Association (Treasurer), Beta Alpha Psi (Treasurer), Investment Club (Analyst), Student Senate (Senator At-Large), Women In Business (Treasurer), Financial Literacy
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am so excited to meet you! I am always happy to help with whatever you need!

Ariana Wendland

Hometown: West Milford, N.J.
Major: Forensic Chemistry
Hobbies: Thrifting, watching TV, and hanging out with friends.
Other involvements: President of Forensic Science Club
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m so excited to meet everyone and always happy to help with anything!

Chase Willett

Hometown: Rockfall, Conn.
Major: Marketing
Hobbies: Pickleball, running, backyard games, and spending time with friends and family
Other involvements: Marketing Association, Ultimate Frisbee E-board, Class of 2029 Representative
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I will be going into my sophomore year and am looking forward to meeting them!

Jack Witteman

Hometown: Hamden, Conn.
Major: Health Studies
Hobbies: Swimming, going to the gym, video games
Other involvements: CAB Chair of Bingo
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m very approachable and love meeting new people. I want my advisees to know I am a resource for their success.

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Campus Center, Room 236

413-796-2629
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