Peer Advising

Alana is a second-year student majoring in Political Science and Communication Arts and Sciences. She is from Rock Hill, South Carolina. Alana is a member of Political Science Horizons and the Black Caucus and is the former president of the East Hall Residence Association. Alana’s favorite out-of-classroom experience has been finding her community and becoming involved around campus. Her favorite thing about being a Liberal Arts student is the flexibility, freedom, and encouragement from everybody, as well as the opportunity to pursue different areas of study that she hadn’t been aware of before.

Amanda is a fourth-year Schreyer Scholar majoring in Psychology with a minor in Deafness and Hearing Studies. She grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania. During her time at Penn State, she has changed majors twice and has served in two college student councils. Additionally, she has served as a teaching assistant and as an Arts Ambassador. Her current involvement includes the Penn State Outing Club and Gender and Sexual Diversity in Schreyer. Amanda completed bilingual research as a PIRE Undergraduate Fellow within the Center for Language Science. This research took her to the Netherlands to study Dutch language, which is her favorite College of the Liberal Arts experience to date. Amanda appreciates the endless opportunities that the college offers and how each student has the support and freedom to customize their educational experience.

Christina is a fourth-year student majoring in Global and International Studies and International Politics with a minor in Spanish. Although she was born and raised in Annandale, Virginia, Christina takes pride in the culture of her Cameroonian-born parents, which has greatly influenced her passion for learning more about other cultures and communities around the world. Christina is an active member of Phi Chi Theta Business Fraternity, Empower Orphans Club, African Students Association, Global Leaders Newsletter, and the new Penn State United Nations Campus Advocates organization. Christina’s favorite thing about being a student in the College of the Liberal Arts is the numerous opportunities to meet and connect with students across the college and across majors. She said that meeting students with different majors within the college has allowed her to have many great worldly conversations and has exposed her to the diversity of study within the college.

Ima is a third-year student double majoring in International Politics and Global and International Studies. He was born in Badajoz, Spain, to Argentinian parents but was raised in Venezuela. Ima is the secretary of the National Society of Leadership and Success as well as a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, Blue & White Society, and the Alumni Association. He ia also a mentorship guide for ServeState. One of his favorite things outside of the classroom is being able to engage with diverse people and learning about their culture, language, and beliefs. Ima’s favorite thing about being a Liberal Arts student is having the opportunity to build “eminent relations” with people from all over the world.

Jack is a fourth-year student majoring in Psychology. He was born and raised just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jack has participated in the Ski and Astronomy clubs and plans to be involved in THON and the Curling Club. His favorite out-of-classroom experience is going to sporting events like football, basketball, hockey, etc. Growing up a Penn State fan, he says being able to watch sports in person is surreal and he says the atmosphere at Penn State is “unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed before.” Jack’s favorite thing about being a Liberal Arts student is how welcome he feels in the college. He says the students and staff are some of the most kind and helpful people he has ever met and that his academic adviser and career coaches have helped him make the most of his college experience.

Kay is a fourth-year student majoring in Criminology and minoring in Biology. She is from Rochester, New York. Kay is involved in Project Paws Organization, a club dedicated to helping out State College’s furry friends. She is also part of the Astrology Club since astrophysics is a fun hobby of hers. She is also involved in the Silver Circle, which is a spiritual club that focuses on growing people’s spiritual connections and journeys through their lives. Kay’s favorite thing about being a student in the College of the Liberal Arts is the flexibility that she has with the way she studies, the classes she can take, and the things she wants to learn. She appreciates that she’s able to take a wide variety of classes, which has helped her broaden her horizons.

Clare is a fourth-year student majoring in Psychology. She was born in Daejeon, South Korea and grew up in Fairfax, Virginia. Clare serves as an International Student Ambassador and has also served as a GELE coordinator, an International Student Orientation leader, president of the Korean Learning Club, and a student assistant for Global Programs. Her work with Global Programs provided her an opportunity to meet “amazing mentors and supervisors” who provided her “endless support” and “priceless lessons” while working with people from around the world. Clare says her favorite thing about being a Liberal Arts student is the diversity of study within the college and meeting people from various fields.

Lizzy is a fourth-year student majoring in Sociology with a minor in Communication Arts and Sciences. She is from Dover, New Hampshire, where she likes to spend her time in the mountains or on the beach. Throughout her time as a student at Penn State, she has been a member of a community service organization called ServeState. She is the service coordinator for the club, where she organizes and creates events. Lizzy was a teaching assistant for the rhetoric and civic life courses in the College of the Liberal Arts. Through this experience, she found her passion for teaching and deliberation, which she took with her when she worked as a Nevins Fellow through the summer of 2021. Lizzy’s favorite thing about being a student in the College of the Liberal Arts is all the opportunities to get involved through student teaching, education abroad programs, and undergraduate research.

Nik is a fourth-year student majoring in English with a minor in Film Studies. He is from Holland, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Nik is a member of Penn State’s No Refund Theatre. In his free time, you can find him cooking or learning jiu-jitsu at Pleasant Gap’s new American Top Team gym. Nik’s favorite thing about being a student in the College of the Liberal Arts is the people. In his area of study, he typically finds himself in smaller classes that allow him to form close relationships with his classmates and professors.

Rachel is a fourth-year Anthropology major with minors in Geography and Sexuality and Gender Studies and a Justice, Ethics, Diversity in Space certificate. Rachel is from Leesburg, Virginia. She has twice been a teaching assistant and works in an archaeology lab, which she plans to continue doing through graduation. She is also currently working on her undergraduate thesis in Jewish studies and is an active member in Penn State CHAARG and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Rachel’s favorite out-of-classroom experience has been her internship with the Loudon County Commonwealth’s Attorney where she provided support to victims of domestic violence. Rachel says being a Liberal Arts student has provided her with incredible opportunities and flexibility within her degree. She feels very supported by the professors and administration who have helped her “curate the best possible experience.”

Tom is a fourth-year student majoring in Political Science and History. He is an international student from Auckland, New Zealand. Tom says the College of the Liberal Arts has given him a diverse view of the world and the opportunity to learn about different cultures, histories, and contemporary topics that enhance his perspective in a positive light.