Emerging Leaders Peer Mentors | Center for Academic Success and Transition

Peer Mentors

Emerging Leaders Peer Mentors are upperclassmen leaders who are here to help guide you through your first semester. This fall, you will see your mentors during your weekly recitation. They are excited to share their expertise and to help you find continued leadership growth at Nebraska.

Zoey Armstead

Sophomore

Learn more about Zoey

Major(s): Biochemistry, Pre-Med
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Favorite junk food?: Extra Toasted Cheez-its
What superpower do you wish you had?: Teleportation. I could get way more done in a day.
Favorite spot on campus and why?: Definitely the Library because it is so quiet and I can really focus in there.
Do you ever talk to yourself? If so, what do you say?: Every morning when I won’t get out of bed, because it’s wayyy to early.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: No answer.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student?: It is okay to not have it all figured out.

Silvia Lucas

Sophomore

Learn more about Silvia

Major(s): Nursing
Hometown: Crete, Nebraska
If your life was a movie, what is the title and who would play you?: “LOL, You Could Never” starring Millie Bobby Brown
Biggest pet peeve?: People who drag their feet, don’t get the memo, whistle or snap their fingers to get my attention.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: Fake
What is your most vivid memory from college?: The night my roommate and I stayed up all night doing homework, watching movies, and eating ice cream.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student?: Be yourself (don’t try to impress others). Learn how to talk to everyone you meet and network. Don’t leave your clothes in the washer.

Eybrany Alvarado

Junior

Learn more about Eybrany

Major(s): Construction Management
Hometown: York, Nebraska
If you were an animal, what would you be? Why?: I would be an otter, because they are very smart and social animals with their family. More importantly, they hold hands when they sleep and that’s adorable.
Favorite movie/tv quote?: “Do you think god stays in have because he too lives in fear of what he’s created?” ‘Dr. Romero, Spy Kids 2
If your life had a soundtrack, what’s your theme song?: “Rockin’ Robin”
Favorite spot on campus and why?: The big comfy chairs in the Adele Coryell Hall Learning Commons Quiet Study Area. The windows go from floor to ceiling and it looks out onto the lawn. Perfect for studying.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: Real?
What were you most afraid of when you started college?: I was most afraid of not making new friends and failing.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: Don’t be afraid to try something new or to reach out to friends (past, new, and future), or to your teachers if you need help.

Kaylee DonJuan Mendoza

Sophomore

Learn more about Kaylee

Major(s): Accounting
Hometown: Crete, Nebraska
Favorite movie/tv quote?: “You cannot live your life to please others. The choice must be yours.” – Alice in Wonderland
Favorite junk food?: Bacon Cheese Fries
What’s the most useless talent you have?: Saying/singing all 50 states in alphabetical order.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: Real
What were you most afraid of when you started college?: Talking to my professors.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: Take advantage of all the resources on campus such as CAST and Husker Hub.

Katie Tran

Sophomore

Learn more about Katie

Major(s): Pre-Health
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
If you were an animal, what would you be? Why?: I would most definitely be a hedgehog. They can be very social creatures when prompted, but they tend to enjoy their time alone.
If your life was a movie, what is the title and who would play you?: Jennie Kim from BLACKPINK would probably play me in a movie about my life. I like to present myself in the most glamorous ways even though my reality is quite the opposite. The movie title would most likely be “The Devil Wears Prada…Sweatpants”.
What is one thing you wish people knew about you?: I am a creative. I focus so much on STEM while at school, but really, I love everything that has to do with art.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: Fake—Sorry! I’m a huge believe in science over myths!
How do you spend your time outside class (besides studying)?: I spend most of my time outside class trying new foods in Lincoln or watching movies. All of my friends are huge film fiends, so I just watch everything that they watch.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: School should be your full-time job, but it shouldn’t be your only job. Remember that you have a duty to yourself that includes prioritizing your mental, social, and physical health. Without that, you wont’ be able to properly study.

Paris Henderson

Junior

Learn more about Paris

Major: Sociology
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
What are two things you wish people knew about you?: I am a novice with tarot cards, and I have a tattoo.
Favorite spot on campus and why?: The back of the Sheldon Museum right by Kimball Hall and the benches.
What’s the most useless talent you have?: Procrastination
Sasquatch—real or fake?: Anything is possible.
What were you most afraid of when you started college?: Becoming too busy.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: Don’t get too busy. Prioritize your time. Experiment and find what’s right.

Allie Pyle

Sophomore

Learn more about Allie

Major(s): Human Development & Family Science
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
If you were an animal, what would you be? Why?: Elephant, because I have a really good long-term memory, and I am afraid of mice.
If your life was a movie, what is the title and who would play you?: “Queer Eye” and I am played by Jonathan Van Ness
What’s the most useless talent you have?: I can pretty much identify any song in my playlist within 5 seconds. Like title and artist. I don’t know if that is necessarily a talent, but it intrigues my friends.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: An animal like it probably existed at one point, but the image people have of it now is definitely fake.
What were you most afraid of when you started college?: Failing
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: Relax and enjoy it. It can be scary, but it is also the most fun I have ever had.

Amal Al Gharib

Sophomore

Learn more about Amal

Major: Communication Sciences & Disorders, Pre-Occupational Therapy
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Did you give anyone stink-eye or throw shade recently? What did they do to deserve it?: I most likely have. Someone was driving very slow and terribly in front of me, so I stared them down when passing by.
What superpower do you wish you had?: I wish I could heal people.
What is one thing you wish people knew about you?: I value my relationships with others, which is why I keep my circle small. I would rather have a few, strong and close relationships than a lot of less close ones.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: Fake?
What is your most vivid memory from college?: My most vivid memory is the first time I did bad on a test, which made me reevaluate my study methods.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: Don’t be afraid to try new things. Spending all you time studying will only result in you becoming tired of a constant cycle and lacking in motivation. You need to find ways to relieve stress and spend your free time. Go to club meetings, get a job, network with others, or find a new hobby to enjoy your time.

Jonah Tran

Sophomore

Learn more about Jonah

Major(s): Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Favorite movie/tv quote?: “I don’t have friends, I got family.” – Furious 7
Favorite junk food?: Kettle-cooked jalapeno chips.
What’s the most useless talent you have?: I can crack an egg with one hand.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: Real
What were you most afraid of when you started college?: Meeting people.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: Don’t be scared of change/new things.

Zeinab Albusharif

Sophomore

Learn more about Zeinab

Major(s): Interior Design
If your life had a soundtrack, what is your theme song?: I have no idea, but maybe “Midnight City” by M83. It talks about the happy and peaceful feeling of being in the city at night with all of the light and life surrounding you. I can relate because I grew up in Dubai and this song reminds me of those days.
Biggest pet peeve?: People who chew really loud or make too many sounds when eating. And spoilers.
What is the one thing that has made you laugh the hardest?: Myself or my friends because, honestly, we are the clowns in the circus.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: Honestly, I don’t have an opinion about it, but it would be cool if they were real.
What is your most vivid memory from college?: First semester, I had a drawing class outside and it was very windy. The professor made us carry our huge drawing board and kit and it was very heavy and big. My drawing ended up flying with the wind and I honestly let it because I really wasn’t going to chase after it in front of everyone. I’m not sure maybe the universe loved it too much that it wanted it or it was telling me to start over because it looked bad.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: Don’t care about anyone and just focus on yourself, because you’re the main character and by doing that, you will become successful.

Ma’Kiya Carter

Junior

Learn more about Ma’Kiya

Major(s): Child, Youth, & Family Studies
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Did you give anyone stink-eye or throw shade recently? What did they do to deserve it?: My face, I’ve been told, is naturally unhappy, so everybody assumes I’m mean or rude. I throw shad all the time at my friends, but it’s nothing but jokes.
Who is one person, alive or dead, you would like to meet?: I would like to meet Marilyn Monroe. Although her career made her super successful, she was still a really sad person and lived a sad life. I would like to talk to her about it.
What’s the most useless talent you have?: I can sneak up on people. I’m a pretty quiet person, so I’m able to be in people’s vicinity without being seen. It’s also how I’m able to avoid people if I don’t feel like talking.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: I think there’s a lot in this world we don’t know about. I would say sasquatch isn’t real because there is no evidence. But just because there isn’t any evidence, does not mean it couldn’t be true.
What’s your most vivid memory from college?: I played a late-night UNO game with a bunch of friends I met from First Husker. It was kind of the first time I realized I was going to be alright and didn’t have to worry about the friends part of college. I had so many after doing that program. I’m really grateful.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: It’s okay to realize when something isn’t for you. Life isn’t just one path and you should do what makes you happy at the end of the day.

Jennifer Lopez

Senior

Learn more about Jennifer

Major(s): Fashion Design & Merchandising
Hometown: Schuyler, Nebraska
Favorite movie/tv quote?: “Well, well, well, how the turntables.” – Michael Scott, The Office
What superpower do you wish you had?: Teleportation. You don’t even know all the places I would go in an instant if I could do that!
If you were an animal, what would you be? Why?: Cat, so I can bum around all day and still be loved and appreciated.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: I don’t know. Maybe not real on planet earth, but who’s to say he isn’t real somewhere else out in the universe?
What is your most vivid memory from college?: Why my freshman year roommate fell of her lofted bed while trying to get her laptop. Just thinking about it makes me laugh.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: Don’t be afraid to push outside of your comfort zone. There are so many things I wish I would have done that I didn’t do, all because I was afraid of feeling uncomfortable or scared. It’s better to try something and find out you don’t like it than live with the “what-ifs”.

Spencer Schmidt

Senior

Learn more about Spencer

Major(s): Geology & Mathematics
Hometown: Diller, Nebraska
If you were an animal, what would you be? Why?: I would be a wombat. Though we have no physical resemblance, they are described as “champion diggers” and I am a geology student and love to explore. Not to mention, they are also described as stubborn.
Favorite movie/tv quote?: “You can’t change reality, just your perception!” – Full Metal Alchemist
Did you give anyone stink-eye or throw shade recently? What did they do to deserve it?: I threw shade at myself when I scorched the bottom of my pan when making curry.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: It really does not matter to me.
What is one thing you were really glad you brought when you came to college?: I really like my sandals. However, something I am really glad I did NOT bring to college was the distraction of my PS4.
What words of advice would you give an incoming student: Even though it is difficult initially, prioritize finding balance for all the important aspects of your life. Second, do not worry if you start college not knowing what you want to study. I was undecided over a year and I am glad I took the time to find what I am passionate about.

Katie Nelsen

Junior

Learn more about Katie

Major(s): Management
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Favorite junk food?: Vanilla ice cream or Lime Tostitos.
Top song on your playlist, or favorite playlist?: I have a playlist called “Songs that remind me of middle school” which is just a bunch of hype songs from 2010 that make me feel nostalgic.
Which animal/reptile/insect would you least like to be locked in a cage with?: This seems really suspicious if I’m being honest…but probably snakes.
Sasquatch—real or fake?: Probably real? If I think about it, there’s a lot of life on Earth that I’ve never heard of, so I guess it’s just as likely that something like that exists.
What is your most vivid memory from college?: Going to Cather Dining Hall with my friend group (literally my entire floor), and eating together every night during first semester, and taking up an entire long table.
What piece of advice would you like to give incoming students?: Utilize your resources and self-advocate because no one else is going to chase after you. On top of that, it’s alarming the amount of people who are willing to help, if you just ask.