A staple of the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center since 2022, students can meet with a peer success coach to get help navigating college and University resources.
Our coaches are experienced Penn State students who help current students, as well as incoming first-year, transfer, and change-of-campus students, connect with the campus community.
What is Peer Success Coaching?
Peer success coaches act as guides, listeners, and motivational partners to undergraduate students in the College of the Liberal Arts. Peer success coaching helps you think about your goals and motivations and provides you with techniques so you can be in the driver’s seat.
Meet with a peer success coach weekly or biweekly during the fall and spring semesters for personalized action plans on these topics and more.
- Goal setting
- Motivational techniques
- Stress management
- Studying strategies
- Time management
Meet our Peer Success Coaches
Abby Fusaro
Abby is a third-year student majoring in Criminology and minoring in Psychological Science. Abby is a member of the Justice Association.
“I love helping other people and coming up with ways to make their lives a little less stressful. I enjoy showing students a new technique or skill that could benefit them in their daily lives.”
Victor Frolenko
Victor is a fourth-year student double majoring in Spanish and Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Neuroscience. He’s a member of the Culinary Medicine Club and Social Dance Club at Penn State.
“I’ve come to love helping everyone with questions because I’ve asked a billion more during my time and really learned a lot. I’m really looking forward to building lasting relationships and having regular meetings with the students I coach.”
Alena Kolesar
Alena is a second-year student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Journalism. Alena is a member of the Student Programming Association (SPA) and Art Club at Penn State, as well as a teaching assistant for PSYCH 100 and an orientation leader for New Student Orientation.
“I became a peer mentor to help students gain the best experience out of college and develop skills and habits that will help them throughout their whole life. I enjoy helping students grow and become the best versions of themselves.”
Camren Boyogueno
Camren is a third-year student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology. Camren is the co-pageant director of the Caribbean Student Association.
“I chose to become a peer mentor because my peer mentor through my first and second year of college was so helpful in all aspects of what college life is. I enjoy being the same type of guiding light for my mentees.”
Laci Moore
Laci is a third-year student double majoring in Criminology and Psychology. Laci is involved in the Legal Empowerment Brigade within Penn State Global Brigades and Blue & White Society.
“I was deeply impacted by my peer mentor. She was a great support system since my first year. She inspired me to apply for this job so I can help others. I enjoy being part of students’ support system and guiding them to success within the college.”
Sammy Vaillancourt
Sammy (she/her) is a fourth-year student majoring in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship and triple minoring in Psychology, Art, and Sustainability Leadership. Sammy is an active member of Queer Business Leaders, Penn State Outing Club, Fashion Society at Penn State, and Student Farm at Penn State.
“I chose to become a peer success coach so that I could help others toward personal and academic success. That ‘ah ha’ moment of helping a peer solve or find a new solution to a pressing problem is my favorite.”
Igor Latsanych
Igor is a fourth-year student majoring in International Politics and minoring in Business and the Liberal Arts. He’s president of the Ukrainian Student Society, vice president of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), director of outreach for the Association of Residence Hall Students (ARHS), treasurer of the Rifle Club, and a member of Pi Sigma Alpha at Penn State.
“Since my years in high school, I dedicated much of my time to speaking and helping others through academic and motivational troubles. While I am still learning, I have accumulated a lot over the years, which I hope to utilize when building a support network for anyone who enters 139 Sparks Building. I can’t wait to begin our journey to achieve YOUR definition of success!”
Diana Lopez
Diana is a second-year student majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Spanish and Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies. Diana is a McNair Scholar, hotline counselor at Centre Helps, and ESL tutor volunteer at Mid-State Literacy Council.
“My first year in college as a first-generation student was extremely overwhelming. It was difficult navigating academics, involvement, and socialization all on my own. I can understand what it is like to feel when you are struggling and do not know where to go. Students should not have to navigate these issues and struggle by themselves. As a peer success coach, I help students in all aspects of student life.”
Cameryn Allen
Cameryn is a fourth-year student majoring in Psychology. Cameryn is an undergraduate research ambassador, the student liaison on the Liberal Arts Alumni Society Board of Directors, and a Liberal Arts First-Generation Committee member.
“I chose to become a peer mentor to help students find resources that I wish I knew of earlier in my college career. I look forward to connecting with students one-on-one to offer emotional and academic assistance.”