Peer Advisors

Charting Paths, Building Futures

What is a Peer Advisor?

Each first-year student is assigned to an upper-class student who is trained to serve as a source of information, point of first contact, and conduit to programs and services. Peer Advisors coach each student in the formation of the personal success plan and act as an advocate for student success. The personal success plan provides a framework for establishing specific, reasonable, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely goals for the first semester. It is much more probable that success will be realized when students have direction and purpose.

Who are the Peer Advisors?

Peer Advisors (PAs) hail from as close as right here in Springfield, MA to as far as Florida! Peer Advisors undergo 100 hours of training in order to better support first year students. PAs have a strong focus on helping their advisees, and work to make YOUR transition as great as it can be!

How do I apply to be a Peer Advisor?

If you are interested in applying to be a Peer Advisor, click on the link below to learn more about the application process or attend an information session!

Apply to Be a PA

Please be aware that if you change your major, your Peer Advisor will change. Bookmark this page to revisit if you change your major to get to know all of the Peer Advisors!

2025-2026 Steering Committee

Autumn Bissonnette

Hometown: Wales, Mass.
Major: Mechanical Engineering, Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Hobbies: I love going to the beach and hanging out with friends!
Other involvements: Treasurer for the 2026 Class Council, Director of Finance for Campus Activities Board, Orientation Group Leader for 2025 SOAR Program
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am so excited to meet you and help you transition to college as a Golden Bear!

Rach Brenzel

Hometown: Westfield, Mass.
Major/Minor: Secondary Education – Mathematics/Psychology
Hobbies: Reading, thrifting, exploring new coffee shops, traveling
Other involvements: Stageless Players, Student Alumni Ambassador
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am passionate about ensuring you have the best college experience!!

Emma Cassell

Hometown: Westfield, Mass.
Major: Business Management
Hobbies: Playing golf and tennis and hanging out with my friends and family!
Other involvements: Peer Advising program
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am going to be a junior in the fall.

Camden Kaufmann

Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
Major: Political Science and Criminal Justice Double Major
Hobbies: Bowling
Other involvements: President of Student Senate
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I love the beach!

Jayden Montagna

Hometown: Agawam, Mass.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hobbies: Hangout with friends, go to the beach, play yard games (spikeball, cornhole)
Other involvements: Captain of the men’s soccer team, steering member for the Peer Advising program, intramural sports supervisor
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I want my advisees to know that I will always be there for them and that no matter how stressful the start of your time at WNE is, you will succeed and fit in!

Clayton O'Connor

Hometown: Schenectady, N.Y.
Major: Business Analytics and Information Management and Sport Management
Hobbies: Wrestling, hanging out with friends, working out, playing video games
Other involvements: Men’s wrestling team, third year Peer Advisor
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m excited to meet and get to know you all!

2025-2026 Peer Advisors

Mary-Katherine Agnes

Hometown: Suffield, Conn.
Major: Psychology
Hobbies: Baking, hanging out with my friends, pets, and family, volunteering, shopping, and crafting
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am going into my sophomore year, and I am so excited to meet them!

Molly Alape

Hometown: New Britain, Conn.
Major: Secondary Education – History
Hobbies: Knitting, reading, playing the trumpet
Other involvements: Historical Society
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I love talking about history with my friends and professors.

Blanca Amaya

Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
Major: Criminal Justice
Hobbies: I like karaoke, reading The Hunger Games trilogy, and spending time with my loved ones.
Other involvements: Legislative Chair - Student Senate, President - United and Mutually Equal, Assistant Editor in Chief - The Westerner
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am so excited to meet you and help you transition to college as a Golden Bear!

Evan Atchue

Hometown: West Boylston, Mass.
Major: Neuroscience
Hobbies: Games, drawing, gardening
Other involvements: Neuroscience Club, Art Club, WARP Gaming Club
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? If you ever have academic challenges feel free to contact me for advice!

Paige Bailey

Hometown: Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Major/Minor: History/Communication
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, spending time with my dog, Bella
Other involvements: Bible Study and Historical Society

Taylor Berube

Hometown: Bristol, Conn.
Major: Law & Society
Hobbies: I can always be found spending time with friends and family, usually listening to country music too. I love reading and spending time at the beach.
Other involvements: President of the dance team and member of ODK
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am looking forward to spending my last year at WNE with you all as I prepare to enter law school in the fall of 2026.

Alana Bouthillette

Hometown: Broomfield, Colo.
Major: Forensic Biology
Hobbies: Skiing, ice hockey, fishing, and traveling
Other involvements: Criminal Justice Club and women’s ice hockey
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m quiet at first, but please come talk to me! I’d love to get to know everyone personally.

Didi Brown

Hometown: North Attleboro, Mass.
Major: Forensic Chemistry
Hobbies: Playing volleyball, camping, listening to music, road trips
Other involvements: Club volleyball
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m a great listener while also loving to yap :)

Ellen Butler

Hometown: Charlton, Mass.
Major: Psychology
Hobbies: Sketching, painting, and knitting
Other involvements: Golden Bear Bands, OGL 2024 and 2025
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m really passionate about theoreticals!

Jackie Casalone

Hometown: Enfield, Conn.
Major: Psychology
Hobbies: Hiking and hanging out with friends
Other involvements: Student Ambassador

Sean Clark

Hometown: Somerset, Mass.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hobbies: Soccer, art, and traveling
Other involvements: Intramural soccer
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am always here to help!

Jess Cloutier

Hometown: Easthampton, Mass.
Major: Law & Society
Hobbies: Spending time with friends, hiking, and karaoke
Other involvements: Student Senate (VP), peer tutoring, ODK leadership honor society, PSA political science honor society, intramural coed basketball and softball
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am very tuned in to the processes and behind the scenes work that goes into making this campus run. I can be an asset if you are ever looking to get involved on campus.

Natasha Cox

Hometown: Wilbraham, Mass.
Major: Psychology
Hobbies: Cooking, dancing, being outdoors, the arts
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? That I am easy to talk to and won’t judge.

Antonia Delaney

Hometown: Albany, N.Y.
Major: Pharmacy
Hobbies: Binge-watching TV shows and movies, knitting blankets, painting/coloring, walking my dogs, and playing Roblox
Other involvements: Feminists Unite, cheerleading, Art Club, Stageless Players
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m a super friendly face to come to I’m always open to any questions and will offer candid advice.

Clara Donivan

Hometown: Greenfield, Mass.
Major: English and Psychology
Hobbies: Writing, reading, hiking
Other involvements: Ultimate Frisbee Club, Lead Student Ambassador for Events Team
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I hope to become a perinatal psychiatrist and start my own practice with a built-in daycare :)

Leah Dube

Hometown: Lewiston, Maine
Major: Elementary Education – Psychology
Hobbies: Hockey
Other involvements: Women's ice hockey team
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m energetic, chill, and outgoing. I’m here for anything that comes up throughout their first year here.

Valerie Duval

Hometown: St. Paul, Minn.
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hobbies: Hockey, reading, lifting
Other involvements: Society of Women Engineers, Biomedical Engineers Club, Student Athlete Advisor Council, women’s ice hockey
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I have a lot of heart. I’m passionate. I’m outgoing. I genuinely care.

Ashley Fernandez

Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
Major: BA in Law
Hobbies: Art and hanging out with family
Other involvements: United and Mutually Equal, Pre-Law Society
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am always here! And I love horror movies.

Yasmine Giacalone

Hometown: Peabody, Mass.
Major: Criminal Justice
Hobbies: Playing tennis, going to Bruins and Red Sox games, being with my dog Enzo, going to the beach
Other involvements: Tennis
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m always here to help you succeed!

Joshua Goodman

Hometown: Ellington, Conn.
Major: Secondary Education – History
Hobbies: Fishing, scuba diving, electric guitar, hiking, academics
Other involvements: Treasurer of Class of 2027 Council, Historical Society, Psychology Club, and head peer tutor
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I love helping others.

Justin Gould

Hometown: Hadley, Mass.
Major: Electrical Engineering
Hobbies: Paintballing, math, music, video games, and engineering
Other involvements: Band, OGL, IEE
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I love to cook.

Katherine Greenwood

Hometown: West Haven, Conn.
Major: Marketing Communication/Advertising
Hobbies: Sleeping, eating, socializing
Other involvements: Student Senate, Stageless Players

Chloe Jekanowski

Hometown: Hadley, Mass.
Major: Health Studies Pre-OT
Hobbies: Shopping, hiking, and being with friends and family
Other involvements: Pre-OT Club
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am a great listener and will always be there to talk through things with you.

Kelsey Joiner

Hometown: White Lake, Mich.
Major: Health Studies
Hobbies: Hockey, outside activities
Other involvements: Women’s ice hockey team
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am chill and a nice person. I am here for anything that comes up.

Kayden Joseph

Hometown: Chicopee, Mass.
Major: Criminal Justice
Hobbies: Making art, hanging with friends, and thrifting
Other involvements: GSA, Feminist Club
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? Always here for you

Becca Kilday

Hometown: West Greenwich, R.I.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hobbies: Sewing, reading, wrestling
Other involvements: Women's wrestling team, Society of Women Engineers, Student Senate, Gardening Club Treasurer

Claudia Lafleur

Hometown: Southwick, Mass.
Major: Construction Management
Hobbies: Snowboarding, listening to music, going for drives, and hanging with friends
Other involvements: Society of Women Engineers, Secretary of WNE Ski & Snowboard Club, Vice President of Construction Management Association of America
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am open to talk about any concerns or topics.

Meghan Lemieux

Hometown: Middletown, Conn.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hobbies: Studying
Other involvements: Society of Women Engineers, Student Senate, and student research in the concrete lab
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m always going to be there for you!

Emaleigh Lindsay

Hometown: Westfield, Mass.
Major: Pharmacy
Hobbies: Dance
Other involvements: I was on the dance team for 3 years (Vice President and then President), Vice President of Doctor of Pharmacy Class of 2028, President of Lambda Kappa Sigma (a professional pharmacy fraternity), social chair of a new organization within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences wellness initiative that focuses on mental health.
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’ve been a commuter all throughout college so I understand how hard it can be not to live on campus, but there are always ways to get involved!

Mya Lipscomb

Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Major: Business Analytics and Information Management
Hobbies: Reading
Other involvements: Student Senate, Treasurer of Black Student Union
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? In my free time I enjoy a good book and listening to music.

Jenna Lynch

Hometown: Brookline, N.H.
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hobbies: Hiking, listening to music
Other involvements: Women’s ice hockey, Society of Women Engineers, BMES
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am outgoing and here to help you transition into college.

Victoria Mazzaferro

Hometown: East Longmeadow, Mass.
Major: Neuroscience
Hobbies: Puzzles, skating, and reading
Other involvements: Neuroscience Club and Student Senate
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? They can always approach me whenever they want or need someone to talk to.

Steven Morrison

Hometown: Rochester, Mass.
Major: Marketing Communication/Advertising
Hobbies: Graphic design, art, anything creative!
Other involvements: Campus Activities Board (Director of Marketing), Stageless Players, Golden Voices, 2025 Spring Event (co-marketing chair)

William Norton

Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.
Major: Secondary Education – History
Hobbies: Golf, reading, hanging out with friends
Other involvements: Member of the Historical Society
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am very excited to get to know you and help you start your adventure at Western New England!

Lauren Oros

Hometown: Glastonbury, Conn.
Major: Criminal Justice
Hobbies: Dirt biking, fishing, listening to music
Other involvements: OGL and Senate
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m always available if you need to talk.

Lexi Piacenza

Hometown: Middletown, Conn.
Major: Accounting and Finance
Hobbies: Dance, shopping, hanging out with friends
Other involvements: Accounting Association, dance team
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I recently went on a cruise with my family in the Caribbean.

Madelyne Pope

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Major: Psychology
Hobbies: Playing electric guitar
Other involvements: Women's ice hockey team
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I’m here for you with anything that comes up throughout the year.

Elena Puiggari

Hometown: Glastonbury, Conn.
Major: Mechanical Engineering with an aerospace concentration
Hobbies: Spending time with friends and Legos
Other involvements: Society of Women Engineers and steering lead in BAJA

Chris Sitnik

Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
Major: Secondary Education – Mathematics
Hobbies: Rock climbing, hiking, camping, archery, bowling, arts and crafts
Other involvements: Peer Advising, WNE Bowling Club, Stageless Players
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am always here and always willing to help. No question is a stupid question!

Kayla Surprenant

Hometown: Enfield, Conn.
Major: Pharmacy
Hobbies: Field hockey, paddleboarding, hanging out with friends, going on walks (especially with my dog)
Other involvements: Women’s field hockey
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am always here no matter what and I am very dedicated to helping you succeed!

Cora Taylor

Hometown: Stormville, N.Y.
Major: Management and Leadership
Hobbies: Hiking, reading, listening to music, and anything outdoors
Other involvements: CAB E-board, Investment Club, C.A.R.E, Delta Alpha Pu
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am acting as an international ambassador for the US this July!

Amie Teixeira

Hometown: Ludlow, Mass.
Major/Minor: Secondary Education – History/Political Science
Hobbies: I love to crochet, read, and baking
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am always willing to help, and I am a commuter so I will not always be on campus.

Margo Thompson

Hometown: Rutland, Vt.
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hobbies: Robotics, art, music, crafts, collecting fun earrings, field hockey, socializing, kayaking, obsessing over neon colors, and tinkering!
Other involvements: Society of Women Engineers, Biomedical Engineering Society, CARE Club, Golden Bear Bands Vice President, Feminist Unite, FIRST Robotics alum, mentor, and volunteer
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am super energetic and positive! I can hype you up and answer your questions! :)

Maelee Warren

Hometown: Longmeadow, Mass.
Major: Accounting and Finance
Hobbies: Dance, skiing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends
Other involvements: Dance team, Women in Business Club, Ski and Snowboard Club, Investment Club, Accounting Association
What is one thing you would want your advisees to know about you? I am here to help for whatever they need, and I can't wait to start the year with them!