Meet the NSO Peer Advisors
New Student Orientation (NSO) Peer Advisors are returning students who work during NSO; this includes International Student Orientation and First Things First.
NSO Peer Advisors assist incoming students with schedule planning and preparation for faculty advisor meetings, and provide support for other NSO activities. NSO Peer Advisors work in tandem with the Academic Peer Advisors, in order to enrich the NSO experience for students.
Students needing assistance beyond orientation can reach out to an Academic Peer Advisor. Any of the NSO Peer Advisors (bios below) would be happy to help you connect to an appropriate APA, or email peeradvisors@wesleyan.edu anytime.
2026 New Student Orientation Peer Advisors
-
-
Anne Samuele Francois (she/her/hers)
2027: French; Minors: Chemistry, Global Engagement
Hello! My name is Anne. I use she/her pronouns, and I am from Haiti and Brooklyn, NY. I am a senior, and transferred last year. I am majoring in French with double minors in Chemistry and Global Engagement. I am involved in psychology research, the Christian Fellowship (WesCF), the French Majors-Minors committee, the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), and volunteer with off-campus organizations. I love reading, and trying new hobbies, such as running.
Advice to First-Year Students
Find ways to stay grounded in both your personal and academic life so you can explore opportunities and expand your horizons as much as possible. Do not be afraid to follow your interests, reach out to professors, and familiarize yourself with the support available to you. Give yourself grace. This is all part of the journey!
-
Annika Swenson (she/her/hers)
2028: English, Education Studies
Hey! My name is Annika, and I'm from York, Pennsylvania double majoring in English and Education Studies. I'm also trying to fit a history minor in there somewhere, we'll see! I love how interesting and diverse Wesleyan's curriculum and courses are, I'm never disappointed by the classes I take. Outside of academics, I take part in student theatre, stand-up comedy, and tutor kids in Middletown. I am also an advocate for our transfer students and was one myself. I have navigated the accommodation process, transferring credits, finding time to study abroad, talking to professors, and adjusting to Wesleyan's rigorous environment. In my free time, I can usually be found reading, spending time with my friends, enjoying my ginormous tea collection (it's a problem), café hopping, or at the RJ. After Wes I hope to either pursue a career in teaching and/or publishing. I'm so excited to be an NSO Peer Advisor, please feel free to say hi!
-
Eden Greene (she/her/hers)
2029: College of Social Studies
Hi! I’m Eden Greene, a rising sophomore from Los Angeles, California. I’m in the College of Social Studies (CSS), studying History, Government, Political and Social Theory, and Economics. You can usually find me in Olin Library or at the Freeman Athletic Center pool, where I work as a lifeguard and am co-captain of the Women’s Club Water Polo Team. On weekends, I travel to tournaments around New England with my team, but if I’m on campus, I’m usually at a concert or film screening. This year, I’m living in Community Engagement House, a space focused on service and social justice. I’m happy to talk with you about finding balance, advocating for yourself, and braving Connecticut winters.
Advice to First-Year Students
The landscape of your first year at Wesleyan can feel like a wilderness of new opportunities and responsibilities, but Wesleyan offers a wealth of resources to help you navigate it. Seek guidance from different angles to find the path that’s best for you, and put yourself in spaces where peers from different class years can support you.
-
-
Jane Gesser (he/him/his)
2027: Philosophy; Certificate: Social, Cultural, & Critical Theory
My name is Jane Gesser (he/him) and I’m from New York City! I’m a philosophy major doing a certificate in social, cultural, critical theory and this is my second year working as an NSO peer advisor. I also work at the writing center and I’ll start working as the philosophy department assistant in the fall. Outside of academics I sing in the a cappella group Onomatopoeia and I love crafting, singing, romance novels, and going to concerts. I’m excited to meet everyone!
-
Leila Bensrhir (she/her/hers)
2028: Government; Minor: Middle Eastern and North African Studies
Hi! My name is Leila (she/her), and I'm from New Haven, Connecticut. I am a Government major and a Middle Eastern and North African studies minor. I am very excited as this is my first year working as an NSO peer advisor. On campus, I am a part of many clubs such as the ASA and MSA, and also on the board for the Women of Color Collective. Outside of campus, I work the polls every election and help run voter registration and other services for students, and I also volunteer for the Red Cross. In my free time, I love going on hikes and trying different trails with my friends as well as taking day trips to other states and trying new foods. I also love going to concerts! I'm excited to meet everyone and don't hesitate to reach out!
Advice to First-Year Students
Give yourself grace! It's not going to be the easiest transition but it's important to make the best of it and not limit yourself from any new opportunities.
-
Natalie Sepulveda (they/them/their)
2029: (prospective) Education Studies, Anthropology
Hi everyone! My name is Natalie (they/them), and I am a rising sophomore from the San Francisco area who is planning to major in Education Studies and Anthropology. Aside from my academics, I'm very involved in Wes Latin & Ballroom which is the Latin dance group on campus. We have a performance team which puts on shows with styles including salsa, bachata, merengue, tribal, cumbia, and reggaeton, and we host weekly classes that are open to the entire Wesleyan community. I also work in the theater department costume shop and in the fall, I will begin working in the Writer's Room. I am looking forward to meeting you all!
Advice to First-Year Students
Say yes to new opportunities but don't feel like you always have to be down for everything. Freshman year can come with a lot of exciting academic, social, and extracurricular activities and while I would encourage everyone to try something new (I joined Wes Latin & Ballroom and love it!), you may need a break or time to yourself sometimes and that's okay.
-
Talia Alperin (she/her/hers)
2028: Biology, Neuroscience & Behavior; Minor: Chemistry
Hi! I’m Talia (she/her) and I’m a junior from Lexington, Massachusetts. I’m on the pre-med track, and I’m double majoring in biology and neuroscience, with a prospective minor in chemistry or human rights. On campus, I’m involved in a variety of STEM and non-STEM activities. I do research on pesticides and ALS in the O’Neil Lab, and I’m also in the Neuro club. In the past, I’ve been on the Student Health Advisory Committee, and I’ve peer-tutored for Principles of Biology I and II. I’m also involved in on-campus activism and community engagement through clubs such as the Wesleyan Refugee Project. And for fun, I am in Prometheus, Wesleyan’s only fire arts club on campus! On my own time, I like to hang out with friends, watch TV (Bridgerton!!!), play piano, and run!
As a neurodivergent student with ADHD and OCD, I have experience navigating mental health stigma and requesting academic accommodations. I am also familiar with the executive functioning and mental health resources on campus, and have come up with a variety of time management strategies that work for me, so reach out if you have any questions about this!
Advice to First-Year Students
The best advice I can offer you would be to make sure you review your class slides and notes, and complete all of your homework and problem sets, even if they are not graded. They are there for a reason! If you find yourself struggling to settle into college, don’t hesitate to utilize the various resources on campus - Student Academic Resources, the Writing Room, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), WesWell - they are there to support you.
-
Yiyun Han (she/her/hers)
2028: Art History, Economics
Hi everyone, I’m Yiyun Han, an international student from Shanghai, China. On campus, I’m involved in the Wes Latin & Ballroom Dance club and was the Class Assistant for West African Dance I in Fall 2025. This fall, I will be coming back from my exchange semester at Wellesley College and potentially co-lead a student forum on Classical Chinese Visual and Performing Arts. I’m extremely excited to be bringing my culture and this new academic perspective to help foster a diverse and inclusive community at Wesleyan.
I’m an extrovert who loves meeting new people! Please feel free to reach out if you are curious about my majors, taking art classes, or pursuing interdisciplinary studies. I’m also happy to address any questions, concerns, or simply chat about your expectations for your first year.
Advice to First-Year Students
Go to office hours, but not only for questions! Even if you are just curious or want to learn more, Wesleyan professors are always there for you. Make the most of every opportunity to be inspired by these brilliant, caring, and resourceful people!