Peer Advising

Sasha is a second-year student from State College, Pennsylvania double majoring in Economics and International politics with a minor in Russian. Sasha especially enjoys studying macroeconomic trends and their relation to global events. Outside of class, Sasha is vice-president of finance for the economics association and an analyst on the fed challenge team. In his free time he likes to read, astrophotography, and watch Formula 1. Sasha’s favorite part of being a Liberal Arts student are the enriching academic experiences found within the Paterno Fellows Program.

Shelby is a fourth-year student triple majoring in Criminology, International Politics, and Spanish, and double minoring in Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies and Global and International Studies. Outside of class, Shelby serves as the executive director of internal inclusion and support for the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) and as the UPUA representative to the Faculty Senate. This year, Shelby had the amazing opportunity to serve on the 2025-26 Homecoming Court. Throughout her time at Penn State, she has studied abroad in Puebla, Mexico and participated in an internship abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina as a Perreault Fellow. Shelby’s favorite part about being a student at Penn State is the feeling of home it brings her.

Madison is a first-generation college student and a third-year Psychology major from Marion, Pennsylvania. Outside of college, Madison runs a small crochet business and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves visiting local coffee shops, browsing bookstores, and cheering at campus sporting events. As a lifelong Penn State fan, she even named her golden retriever Nittany! Madison’s favorite part of being a Liberal Arts student is the incredible relationships she’s built with her classmates, professors, and faculty. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she plans to attend Penn State to pursue a master’s degree in Higher Education.

Sadie is a third-year Psychology and Criminology double major from North Carolina. Outside of the classroom, Sadie is involved in the Schreyer Honors College and Paterno Fellows Program as well as serving as a THON captain. In her free time, she enjoys discovering new coffee shops, watching football, and spending time with friends. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to obtain her masters in International Security Analysis and begin her journey in national intelligence work.

Ameza is a third-year student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania majoring in Japanese and minoring in Business and the Liberal Arts. Some of her other favorite activities are learning other languages, crocheting, and watching international tv/dramas. Ameza hopes to study abroad in Osaka, Japan, and become an interpreter or translator who documents her travels on social media. Her favorite aspect about University Park is the fun and unique clubs available to students.

Christina is a fourth-year student from Westchester, New York majoring in Criminology and triple minoring in Human Development and Family Studies, Addiction and Recovery, and Sociology. She is a Public Humanities Fellow, a recipient of the Evans Scholarship, and a member of the Justice Association. After graduation, she plans on continuing her graduate program through World Campus for Homeland Security in Counterterrorism to pursue a career as an agent of the FBI, DEA or CIA. Christina enjoys going to the gym, baking, hanging out with friends, and golfing for fun.

Kayla is a fourth-year student studying Economics with a Smeal College Business Fundamentals certificate. She is from Red Bank, New Jersey. Kayla completed her first year at Penn State Harrisburg before starting at Penn State University Park last fall. She is a brother of Delta Sigma Pi and a member of the Women in Economics Society and the Snowboard Club. Kayla’s favorite Liberal Arts resource is the Career Enrichment Network, which provided her with enrichment funding to complete a summer internship in New York City. Outside of class, Kayla enjoys playing volleyball, rock climbing, and traveling. Kayla hopes to spend the first few years after graduation living and working in New York City in the financial services sector. She is excited about being a Liberal Arts peer adviser!

Owen is a third-year Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar double majoring in Global and International Studies and Finance and minoring in French and Francophone Studies. He is originally from State College, Pennsylvania. He is involved in the Penn State Asset Management Group, Presidential Leadership Academy, Sapphire Leadership Academic Program, and Center for the Business of Sustainability, as well as a social fraternity. Owen enjoys attending live music festivals, learning to DJ, hanging out with friends, and going to Penn State sporting events. He is an avid fan of the Steelers, Phillies, and Liverpool Reds.

Alivia is a fourth-year student from New Jersey, majoring in psychology and minoring in kinesiology and sports studies. Outside of the classroom, Alivia works in ABA Therapy as a behavioral health technician, volunteers as a crisis counselor, serves as president of the minorities in sports next: penn state chapter at university park, is a member of Tri-Alpha Honor Society and of Psi Chi, and was previously a research assistant in the ADAPT Lab. Alivia enjoys trying all new things, going on walks, and traveling. After graduation, she plans to go to graduate school in pursuit of a Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology and pursue a career in athletics as a counseling psychologist. Alivia’s favorite parts about being a Liberal Arts student are the endless opportunities and diverse community.

Kyla is a fourth-year student double majoring in Psychology with a Business option and Media Studies with a Media Effects option. Kyla is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On campus, Kyla acts as the director of music and audio for Penn State’s award-winning talk show Culture Central, and as a radio personality for The Lion 90.7fm. Kyla is also involved in organizations such as NABA, Penn State Music Group, and Jam Club. Additionally, she recently completed an education abroad program in Florence, Italy. Outside of classes, Kyla enjoys watching movies, going to concerts, reading, and making boards on Pinterest. Kyla hopes to work in media and entertainment after college—specifically in live music as a marketer or in artists and repertoire (A&R). Kyla’s favorite aspect of being a Liberal Arts student is having access to the incredible resources available in the college.

Mayuri is a fourth-year student majoring in Psychology with a Business option and is pursuing certificates in Diversity Studies and Smeal College Business Fundamentals. Outside of classes, she is involved in the Presidential Leadership Academy, boulevard student organization, and the Penn State Parents Program, and works at the Arts Ticket Center. In her free time, she loves to travel, go to concerts, spend time with friends and family, read, and watch New Girl. Mayuri’s favorite part about Penn State is meeting new people and the endless opportunities!

Gavin is a third-year Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar double majoring in Psychology and Sociology. Gavin is a member of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, and a research assistant in the Brain and Behavioral Dynamics Lab in the Department of Psychology. After college, Gavin plans to pursue a higher education in neuroscience. Outside of school, Gavin enjoys playing guitar, seeing live music, and playing video games with his friends. His favorite part about being a Liberal Arts student is the vast opportunities to connect with faculty and alumni.

Maya is a third-year Political Science major and minoring in Legal Studies and Chinese from Kennett Square, PA. Outside of class, she enjoys reading and hanging out with friends. After graduation, Maya plans on attending law school to become an attorney. Her favorite part of Penn State is the variety of events and opportunities the college has to offer.

Kyle is a fourth-year Paterno Fellow majoring in History and minoring in Sociology from Palmerton, Pennsylvania. Outside of classes, Kyle is a resident assistant, the vice-president and treasurer of the History Roundtable, a hospitality minister in the Catholic Campus Ministry, and a future teaching assistant for BISCI3. On campus, Kyle loves to go for walks, workout, play intramural sports, and go to football games. After college, Kyle plans on attending law school to become an attorney. Kyle’s favorite part about being a Liberal Arts student is the unbelievable community he has developed among his classmates and professors.

Kaitlyn is a third-year student from Altoona, Pennsylvania, pursuing a B.S. in Psychology and the Smeal College Business Fundamentals Certificate. She is heavily involved in clinical psychology research and plans to work as a full-time researcher after graduation before earning a doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

Asyfa is a third-year student from Malaysia, double majoring in Economics and Global and International Studies with a minor in German. In her study, she is concentrating on development and sustainability. Outside of the classroom, Asyfa is involved in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program, where she works as a global engagement assistant. After graduation, she plans on continuing her graduate studies in International Economics and work in diplomacy.