Meet Our Peer Mentors

Avery Bourdeau '28 (she/her)

Peer Mentor Leader

• Hometown: Herndon, VA
• Major(s): Psychology
• Minor(s): Social Welfare
• Involvement: International Honor Society in Psychology, French Club Secretary, Office of Academic Skills Office Assistant
• The peer mentor program has such a positive impact on students adjustment to college life and I wanted to contribute to that support by being a resource and welcoming presence for new students to navigate this transition.

Myla Harrell '27 (she/her)

Peer Mentor Leader

• Hometown: Craig, CO
• Major(s): Economics
• Minor(s): Marketing
• Involvement: George's General, Presidential Fellow, Elm Staff Photographer, Elm Web Manager
• The peer mentor program made it possible for me to adjust to a new life away from home. I wanted to help incoming students make that transition as well. 

Terrance Vincent '27 (he/him)

Peer Mentor Leader

• Hometown: New Orleans, LA
• Major(s): Neuroscience
• Involvement: Men’s basketball, Voter Engagement, BSU, Presidential Fellow, Intercultural Ambassador, Safe Ride Driver
• I wanted to be a peer mentor to help people feel heard, comfortable, and represented as much as possible, all while meeting new people and learning new things.

Daniela Amores Urrea '28 (she/her)

• Hometown: Takoma Park, MD
• Major(s): Education
• Involvement: Latinx student union (Co-President ) Peer Mentor, Sister of Alpha Omicron Pi, George's General 
• I choose to be a peer mentor to help students to know that they have someone to talk to if needed and it okay to ask for help if needed, also to know they have resources to use.

Kimberly Andrews '28 (she/her)

• Hometown: Accra, Ghana
• Major(s): Physics and Mathematics
• Involvement: Black Student Union, African Student Union, Chesapeake Heartland Project
• I wanted to be a peer mentor to contribute to the vibrant community at WAC and help students feel more integrated with the community.

Eyrun Antonsson '29 (he/him)

• Hometown: ABaltimore City, MD
• Major(s): Psychology; Sociology
• Involvement: Men's Rowing Coxswain, SGA, SAAC, Morgan's Message, George's General
• I choose to become a peer mentor because I wanted to help integrate students to college life and find a home at WAC.

Joe Atkins '28 (he/him)

• Hometown: Conway, NH
• Major(s): Political Science and Philosphy
• Involvement:  Phi Delta Theta, Politalks, SGA, Photography Club

Kevin Banda-Perez '29 (he/him)

• Hometown:  Secretary, MD
• Major(s): Communications and Media Studies; Sociology
• Involvement: Cue & Paddle Club President, Latin Student Union event Coordinator, Kappa Sigma Fraternity Brother, Washington Scholar
• I choose to become a Peer Mentor because I love helping others. And what better way to make a meaningful contribution to the campus community by helping others feel comfortable and passionate in this space we share!

Emily Calabia '29 (she/her)

• Hometown:  McLean, VA
• Major(s): Business Management
• Minor(s): Political Science; Coaching
• Involvement: Women's rowing, AOII, Student Event's Board, Office Assistant at Campus Rec, Morgan's Message, SAAC
• I chose to be a peer mentor because of the opportunity to help my peers connect with the Washington College community especially in their transition to college.

Sydney Clemmer '27 (she/her)

• Hometown:  Drexel Hill, PA
• Major(s): Environmental Studies
• Minor(s): Museum Field and Community Education; Chesapeake Regional Studies
• Involvement: Womens Rowing Captian, Compost Club
• I chose to be a Peer Mentor because I find it to be really fulfilling and fun!

Sultan Darilmaz '28 (she/her)

• Hometown: Laurel, DE
• Major(s): Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Business Management
• Involvement: President of HOSA, Class of 2028 Vice President, STEM Sisters Treasurer, and Intercultural Affairs Student Ambassador
• I wanted to become a peer mentor because it played such an important role in my own transition from high school to college. My FYS group helped me feel supported, and it’s where I met many of my closest friends. I hope to help new WAC students feel just as welcomed, supported, and comfortable as they begin their first year!

Kai Follett '27 (she/her)

• Hometown: Media, PA
• Major(s):  English
• Minor(s): Secondary Education
• Involvement: AOII, SGA
• My peer mentor Heather (class of 2025) was so amazing and I wanted to give an great experience to the incoming freshmen.

Sarah Fronheiser '28 (she/her)

• Hometown: Finksburg, MD
• Major(s): Music
• Minor(s): Education Studies
• Involvement: George's General, Zeta Tau Alpha, Presidential Fellow, Cater Society, WC Chorale
• I chose to be a Peer Mentor because I love getting the chance to meet new people, and be a familiar face on campus for those who are navigating the college experience. I had great experiences with the PM team in my freshman year, and I am so excited to be on the other side of the orientation process. Plus, I stay silly.

Sofia Garcia '28 (she/her)

• Hometown: Annapolis, MD
• Majors: Political Science
• Minor: Human Development
• Involvement: Cross Country and Track Athlete, Class of 2028 President, SGA Senator, FCA member, Younglife Leader, & LSU Member

Zachary Gottemoller '27 (he/him)

• Hometown: Glenside, PA
• Major(s): Mathematics
• Involvement: Kappa Sigma, WACappella, QSC tutor
• I became a peer mentor because I had a great peer mentor who helped me transition into college life, and I wanted to help incoming students with that transition. I know that it can difficult to transition from high school to college, and I am here to help.

Karol Guamanzara '27 (she/her)

• Hometown: Queens, NY
• Major(s): Biology; Hispanic Studies 
• Minor(s): Chemistry; Public Health
• Involvement: Equestrian team, Washington Scholar, LSU, Communications & Media for Hablemos Spanish Club
• I chose to be a Peer Mentor to support others, give back, and build meaningful connections while growing personally.

Tiyaba Jamil '27 (she/her)

• Hometown: Halethorpe, MD
• Major(s): Chemistry; Psychology
• Involvement: Honor Board Chair, Cater Society
• I became a peer mentor because my experience with the program as a first year incoming student allowed me to transition to WAC more comfortably, and I want to pay the experience I had forward to incoming students!

Victoria Justen '29 (she/her)

• Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Major(s): Business Management
• Minor(s): Marketing
• Involvement: Admissions Content Creator, Dance Club
• I chose to be a Peer Mentor because I know how big that transition into college can be, especially moving away from home and adjusting to a new environment. As an international student, I’ve experienced that myself, so I understand how important it is to have someone there for support! I also just really love connecting with people and being someone others can rely on, so I’d love to help new students feel more comfortable and confident here!

Jessica Kelso '27 (she/her)

• Hometown: Bucks County, PA
• Major(s): English
• Minor(s): Journalism, Editing, Publishing (JEP)
• Involvement: Editor-in-Chief of Washington College Review; Theatre Department, Dance Club
• I chose to become a peer mentor because I wanted to help incoming students find a home at Washington College and to be there to support new students.

Sierra Lear-Wecht '28 (she/her)

• Hometown: Severna Park, MD
• Major(s): Business Management
• Minor(s): International Business; Marketing
• Involvement: George’s General, Zeta Tau Alpha Panhel Co-President, Club Soccer President, Campus Recreation Supervisor, Admissions Content Creator, Student Events Board, Presidential Fellow
• As a tour guide, I’ve always wanted to help incoming students (freshmen, exchange, and transfers) integrate and get involved across campus. I have a lot of connections and hope that they allow someone else to find their place at WAC.

Tommy Lundy '27 (he/him)

• Hometown: Denville, NJ
• Major(s): Economics; Business Management
• Involvement: Kappa Sigma, Starr Center Intern
• I wanted to become more involved on campus and gain an opportunity to meet more people. My freshmen year orientation week was one of my personal favorite moments, so I wanted to facilitate that experience for others.

Eliza Marano '28 (she/her)

• Hometown: Annapolis, MD
• Major(s): Environmental Studies
• Minor(s): Chesapeake Regional Studies; Museum Field and Community 
• Involvement:  Chesepeake Semester Alumni
• I chose to be a peer mentor because I wanted to create a sense of belonging for the incoming freshman and to show them all that WAC has to offer.

Calynn Nelson '28 (she/her)

• Hometown: Reston, VA
• Major(s): Political Science
• Minor(s): Environmental Studeies; Hispanic Studies
• Involvement: PoliTalks political education club, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Arts & Crafts Club
• I've changed schools frequently and I know how important a supportive environment for new students. I had a great transition to WAC and I hope to help other students do the same!

Julianna Nelson-Gaudette '28 (she/her)

• Hometown: Smithsburg, MD
• Major(s): English; French
• Involvement: French Club, Class of 2028 Secretary, The Elm Writer, The Pegasus, Anthropology Club, George's General
• Working in Admissions and getting to speak with prospective students made me even more motivated to help them have the smoothest and most rewarding transition from highschool to college - and being a PM means exactly that.

McKenna Praglowski '28 (she/her)

• Hometown: Delmar, DE
• Major(s): Psychology
• Minor(s): Sociology
• Involvement: Sister of Alpha Omicron Pi, member of SGA, Peer Mentor, SafeRide Driver
• I became a peer mentor because I love seeing friendly faces on campus and connecting new students to opportunities. Since being a peer mentor, I’ve made wonderful connections on campus and love helping incoming students on the transition into college.

Jireh Ray '27 (she/her)

• Hometown: Bel Air, MD
• Major(s): Sociology; Black Studies; Social Welfare
• Involvement: Cleopatra's Sisters, Equestrian Team, Black Student Union, SGA
• I want to help make a positive lasting impact on incoming freshmen.

Kelsey Sanderell '27 (they/them)

• Hometown: Malvern, PA
• Major(s): Physics; Environmental Science
• Involvement: Class of 2027 Vice President, Organizations Committee Chair (SGA), Women's Rowing Team, Alumni-Student Relations Committee Student Representative, Presidential Fellow
• I became a peer mentor to help new students and play a role in making campus a fun place for everyone!

Zach Tipton '27 (he/him)

• Hometown: Gettysburg, PA
• Major(s): Biochemistry; Molecular Biology (pre-med)
• Minor(s): Public Health; German
• Involvement: SGA President, swim team manager, founder of the Shoreline Socials, president of the American society of biochemistry chapter, and treasurer of HOSA
• I had a fantastic positive experience with my FYS and peer mentor that had a lasting impact on my relationships and involvement in my first year, which all led me to want to join the team and provide that to incoming first years!