Academic Peer Advisors
Academic Peer advisors are available to meet individually with students to address specific questions about the course registration process and academic resources, as well as assist in the development of time management, study skills, and exam preparation strategies, and provide academic resources and referrals as needed.
Peer advisors are available during New Student Orientation to help students prepare for individual meetings with faculty advisors, and maintain a regular presence in the residence halls during the academic year. To schedule a meeting, fill out this short Google Form, email all of us at peeradvisors@wesleyan.edu, or browse through our bios below and email a specific peer advisor.
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Meet the Academic Peer Advisors!
Watch a short introductory video and contact an Academic Peer Advisor below anytime!
2026-2027 Academic Peer Advisors
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Kallan Tripician (she/her/hers) - Team Lead
2027: Biology, Earth & Environmental Science
Liaison: Accessibility, International Students, Student Athletes
Hi everyone! My name is Kallan Tripician (she/her) and I am a rising senior from Longport, NJ majoring in Biology and Earth & Environmental Science. Growing up at the Jersey Shore fueled my love for the ocean and the environment, and I am grateful that Wesleyan has allowed me to explore this passion. I have participated in two summer research experiences studying Blue Carbon ecosystems in St. Thomas and Guyana with professors in the E&ES Department, and would be happy to talk about getting involved in research on campus! Before coming to Wesleyan, I was a competitive gymnast for 13 years. It took time for me to learn to structure my schedule in a completely new way, and I can offer support during your adjustment to college. During my sophomore year, I decided to learn a new language- Italian! During my junior spring, I studied abroad through the Eastern College Consortium program in Bologna, Italy, and would be happy to chat about learning a new language here at Wesleyan. Outside of peer advising, I am a co-chair of the social committee of the WEStern Blots (the biology club on campus) and enjoy planning events for anyone interested in biology. I also enjoy attending WesBAM fitness classes taught by fellow students! In my free time, I like baking, playing with my dog, reading, and going to the beach! I love to meet new students and would love to talk more about accommodations, time management, learning a language, research, or general life at Wesleyan. Please don’t hesitate to reach out! -
Aimee Carrasco (she/her/hers)
2028: Chemistry, Science and Technology Studies
Liaison: International Students, Equity & Inclusion Programs
Hi! My name is Aimee Carrasco (she/her) and I am a junior from New York City. I am majoring in Chemistry and Science and Technology Studies on the pre-med track, but I am still considering my other post-grad options. I have taken many classes in departments outside of my majors, like Archaeology and CEAS, and am most looking forward to taking an IDEAS class this fall. The rigor of pre-med requirements should not keep you from exploring Wesleyan's open curriculum-- and I would love to talk about it!
Aside from being an APA, I have worked at Pi Cafe :( and Usdan since freshman year, and think it is a great way to get to know the Wesleyan community. I do research in the Calter Lab working on developing antivirals, and participate in Cantonese and Mandarin language tables when I can. I am a member of WesWis and WRAL, and am interested in science education and science as service. This summer, I am staying on campus to continue research through the CIS, which you can do starting your first summer at Wes! From breaking into campus research and dealing with the transition to college academics, to the best place for sushi in Middletown, the APAs have experienced it all. Don't be afraid to reach out!
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Alex Mussomeli (he/him/his)
2027: Philosophy, Italian Studies
Liaison: Accessibility, Equity & Inclusion Programs
Hi everyone! My name is Alex Mussomeli (he/him), and I am a rising senior here at Wesleyan from Westport, CT. I am a Philosophy and Italian Studies double major and I love studying how each of these fields offer a unique perspective on the world.
Additionally, as a student with severe to profound hearing loss, I have been through the process of requesting accommodations for my courses here at Wesleyan. So please reach out if you have any questions about either of those. I also enjoy taking classes unrelated to my discipline too. Recently, I’ve taken a class on literary theory and am hoping to take a history of science course in the fall during my study abroad in Italy! In my free time, I enjoy trying new foods, reading, and studying different languages from all across the world such as Italian, French, Japanese, and Chinese. Outside of my role as an academic peer advisor, I also participate in other campus activities, such as improv with the group Nightmare Fuel. I’m also the president of the Linguistics Club and enjoy bringing more linguistics and language-related events to this campus. But aside from that, I always love to discuss my interests and meet new people, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions - let me know if you want to chat!
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Arielle Lack-Zell (she/her/hers)
2027: Psychology; Minors: Education, Jewish Studies
Liaison: Accessibility, Graduate Students
Hi everyone! I am Arielle, a rising senior at Wes. I am from Lexington, Massachusetts. I am a psychology major minoring in Jewish Studies and Education Studies. Outside academic courses, I wear a lot of different hats. I am a member of Professor Kim’s Learning and Memory research lab. I am also working as one of Professor Plous’ Social Psychology Network interns. I am a member of the Wesleyan Reproductive Advocacy and Legislation club (WRAL Instagram). I perform stand-up comedy through Hysterics (a non-cis men stand-up comedy group, Hysterics' Instagram). Finally, I am also involved in Jewish life! I’ve lived in the Bayit (the Jewishly affiliated house) and often attend Shabbat dinners at Chabad or WJC (Wesleyan Jewish Community). Please reach out if you have any questions about how to get involved in Jewish life, psychology, education, managing accommodations at Wesleyan, returning to school after being abroad (I studied in Copenhagen last semester), or to chat about whatever is on your mind! -
Eleanor Lunsford (she/her/hers)
2028: English; Minors: Data Analysis
Liaison: Peer Technology Specialist, Transfer Students
Hi! My name is Eleanor, and I am a rising junior! I’m from Bainbridge Island, WA, but I now live in Chapel Hill, NC. I am an English major with a minor in Data Analysis. Outside of class, I work as a research assistant in the Assessment Lab. I am also on the executive board of Wesleyan Students in Research (WesSiR) and I am a student researcher for the Wesleyan Institute for Policy (WIP) focusing on economic development. If you have any questions about getting involved in research in the social sciences, I would love to chat with you! This summer, I am interning with the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation as a research analyst. If this is a field that interests you, I would be happy to talk about my journey. In my free time, I love trying new restaurants in Middletown (ask me about my favorite spots), mixing music, and laying on Foss Hill with my friends! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any concerns about course registration, academics, and life at Wesleyan. We are here to help you!
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Jack St. Amand (he/him/his)
2028: Film, Music
Liaison: Transfer Students, International Students, Equity & Inclusion Programs
Hi everyone! My name is Jack (he/him), and I’m a junior from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. I am pursuing a double major in Film and Music and also an Education Studies minor. Here at Wesleyan I have really enjoyed crewing on film sets and performing in various bands, usually as a jazz pianist, or shows on campus. I would love to talk about the performing arts scene at Wesleyan as well as anything film! I also love creative writing (both for film/television and for novels), as well as hanging out with friends and trying lots of different foods. Alongside being an Academic Peer Advisor, I have also been a TA for Materials and Design (the beginning music theory course at Wesleyan) and am also a Peer Tutor for some Music Theory and Psychology courses. An interesting thing about me is that I actually grew up in southern California and switched schools four times in four years, so I would be happy to meet with students to talk about some ways to make it easier to adjust to such big changes both academically and socially. I also love meeting new people so if you guys have any questions at all please feel free to reach out! -
Jasmine Jhun (she/her/hers & they/them/their)
2028: Science and Technology Studies, Philosophy; Certificate: Social, Cultural, & Critical Theory
Liaison: Peer Technology Specialist, Equity & Inclusion Programs
Hi!! My name is Jasmine (she/they) and I’m from Los Angeles, California. I’m double majoring in Philosophy and Science & Technology Studies, plus I’m pursuing the Social, Cultural, & Critical Theory certificate. Beyond my role as an APA, I’m involved in lots of research! I’m currently active in the Black Box Labs and Writers Room Lab, and in the past I’ve worked in the Sexuality & Well-Being Lab and other projects in STS and East Asian Studies. I also help students get connected to research opportunities as a board member of Wes Students in Research! I’m interested in going to grad school after my time at Wesleyan, and I’d be happy to answer any questions about planning for that pathway.
Though I’m not pre-med, I’m passionate about health equity and education. I’ve taken various medical humanities courses through STS, I’m a chair for the Student Health Advisory Committee, and I teach sex-ed with Adolescent Sexual Health Awareness. I also love language and writing! I’m a writing tutor at the Writers Room and Center for Prison Education, editor-in-chief for Emulsify, and editor for AdLit. I’ve also worked as a course assistant, peer tutor, and language partner for Intermediate and Advanced Korean. Please feel free to reach out with any and all questions! I’m here to chat about anything :)
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Jeremy Kwon (he/him/his)
2029: (prospective) Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, College of East Asian Studies; Minor: Chemistry
Liaison: Student Athletes
Hi everyone! My name is Jeremy, and I’m a sophomore from Potomac, Maryland. I’m on the wrestling team here at Wesleyan, and I plan to double major in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry and College of East Asian Studies, with a minor in Chemistry on the pre-med track. Aside from being an Academic Peer Advisor, I’m a certified EMT and an undergraduate researcher in the nanoGoch research group, and I also serve as a board member for the Wesleyan Korean Student Association. This past summer, I conducted full-time research through the College of Integrative Sciences Research in Science Fellowship while volunteering as an EMT with Haddam Ambulance. Outside of academics and extracurriculars, I enjoy listening to music - especially R&B and Korean R&B - and watching horror and thriller movies. As someone balancing athletics, STEM coursework, and extracurricular commitments, I understand how challenging time management can be and how overwhelming college can feel at times, and I’m always happy to share my experiences or offer support! Feel free to reach out anytime, whether you’re a student-athlete, in STEM, or just navigating campus life! -
Sami Smith (she/her/hers)
2027: Economics, Psychology; Minor: Dance
Liaison: Student Athletes, Accessibility
Hi! My name is Sami, I use she/her pronouns and I am currently in the class of 2027. I am part of the Women’s Varsity Ice Hockey and Lacrosse teams on campus! I am double majoring in Economics and Psychology and minoring in Dance.
I am also a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Rep for our women's lacrosse team. I work very closely with a great group of athletes who care deeply about the well being of the student body. I am also very well connected with the accommodations office. Out of the school life I love watching movies and going on walks in the woods!
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Tara Pandey (she/her/hers)
2027: Computer Science; Minor: Data Science
Liaison: Peer Technology Specialist, International Students
Hi! My name is Tara Pandey and I am a rising senior originally from McLean, Virginia. I am currently a Computer Science Major and Data Science Minor, and as a result have taken classes in computer science, mathematics, statistics, and all sorts of data analysis and programming classes through the QAC. I am the head of the Scientific and Computer Informatics Center (SCIC) which is a helpful resource for anyone enrolled in computer science classes. I have also stayed on campus as a part of the Data Apprenticeship Program over the summer. Outside of my computer science interests, I am a board member for the Wesleyan Refugee Project, a team member of the Wesleyan Ethics Bowl club, and also enjoy playing tennis and have taken some PE Tennis classes at Wesleyan. I have also been taking Spanish classes for five semesters, starting at the beginner level, and have just returned from the Vassar-Wesleyan program in Madrid. I am also an avid show binger (have been recently getting back into The Great British Bake Off), lover of the outdoors, amateur french beader, thrifter, and have a big sweet tooth! Feel free to reach out about any common interests or just to chat! -
Tessa Fastiff (she/her/hers)
2028: Art History, Italian; Minor: History
Liaison: Transfer Students, Equity & Inclusion Programs, International Students
Hi! My name is Tessa (she/her) and I am a rising junior from San Francisco. I am double majoring in Art History and Italian and minoring in History. I love that Wesleyan has allowed me to learn about how art intersects with history, religion, politics, and more and am always down to chat about anything art related! I started learning Italian freshman, so feel free to reach out if you have any questions about language learning at Wesleyan. I have enjoyed taking classes in a variety of subjects including Anthropology, Religion, Dance, and Biology. In addition to being a peer advisor, I am a layout editor for the Argus, am involved with the Wesleyan Jewish community, and play on Wesleyan's club water polo team. In my free time, you can find me hanging out on my friends’ floors, swimming, reading, drinking tea, and watching sports. I am excited to meet you all and please to reach out with any and all questions—nothing is too small! -
Z Azerad (he/him/his)
2028: Film, Sociology; Minor: Russian Eastern European Studies
Liaison: Peer Technology Specialist, Graduate Students, Accessibility
Schedule a meeting using Z's online calendar!
Hello! My name is Z Pérez Azérad (he/him) and I am a junior from Fort Worth, Texas. I am a double major in Film and Sociology with a minor in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (REES). I have taken numerous courses in various areas of film, including international cinema, auteur theory, and production. However, I have also taken classes in other fields and departments, all of which are to the benefit of the open curriculum, such as math and literature. I took all of these courses while navigating the accommodations process at Wesleyan, so if you have any questions about accommodations at Wesleyan, please reach out. Outside of academics, I like to volunteer on student film sets, whether for senior theses, Cardinal Pictures production, or a free project from my friends. I am also a frequent attendee of the Russian-speaking club, Samovar. In my free time, I love listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and new music (particularly jazz), and I look for new places to try different foods. I enjoy walking around campus for photography; shout-out to all the liminal spaces around. You can frequently find me getting coffee at Espwesso, studying in the various study spots on campus, or attending the Film Series screenings throughout the semester. I love talking to people—though I’ve occasionally been accused of turning a quick conversation into a feature-length director’s cut—so if you have any questions, feel free to reach out.