Peer mentors are here to help first-year CHC students navigate the often unclear and confusing moments that arise during everyone's academic journey. More than that, they are here to help support you and offer their personal perspectives and experiences on a myriad of aspects of student life including the CHC curriculum and requirements, how to balance your schedule, how to get involved in campus, and how to find resources to help alleviate other concerns.
Through the Peer Mentoring Program, we aim for you to achieve:
- A sense of community and the opportunity to make multiple connections within the Clark Honors College.
- Comfort with navigating the University of Oregon campus, programs, and resources, as well as the surrounding Eugene area.
- A strong skill set to take action and the tools to self-advocate for your needs as a student.
- Confidence in your ability to achieve your professional, academic, and personal goals.
You will receive a welcome email from your Peer Mentor in the first week of Fall term. If you are uncertain who your Peer Mentor is, email Dr. Rovak (arovak@uoregon.edu).
Nayantara Arora (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Portland
Year at UO: Senior
Major: Neuroscience; minor in Global Health
Activities: South Asian Cultural Alliance; Students for Global Health
In my free time, I: Like to go outdoors, spend time with friends, and read.
I’m a fan of: Nature, family, and boba.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I want to support first-year students in finding balance and community.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: How many opportunities there were to get involved with student life and find my community.
Eli Bernell (he/him/his)
Hometown: Corvallis
Year at UO: Junior
Major: Planning, Public Policy, and Management; minor in Music
In my free time, I: Like to play golf, tennis, run, cook, read, and play music.
I’m a fan of: The Hunger Games series. I just got into it and can’t get enough of it.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I really like getting to help first-year students transition to college and I think we have a really fun group.
When I was a first-year, I wish I knew: To not put so much pressure on everything to go right the first time -- be that school, meeting new people, or any new experience.
Abbi Biggs (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Portland
Year at UO: Junior
Major: Spanish; minors in Global Health and Science Communication
In my free time, I: Enjoy music, cooking, and outdoor activities – paddleboarding is my fav.
I'm a fan of: Iced oat lattes, Amy Winehouse, and orange cats (not necessarily in that order)
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I find guiding fellow students so rewarding.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: That it’s OK to ask for support when you need it. I’m committed to providing that support to each of you.
Anthony Cano-Luna (he/him/his)
Hometown: McMinnville
Year at UO: Sophomore
Major: Undeclared
Activities: I am involved with the computer science LeetCode Club and I also love hosting a coffee house in my apartment with my friends.
In my free time, I: Practice my photography skills, go on hikes, and find new spots to eat or shop around Eugene.
I’m a fan of: Espresso, houseplants, photography, and classic cars.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I know that the transition to college is jarring and full of uncertainties, and I want to help incoming students through said transition in whatever way I can.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: That it was OK not to have all the answers and to realize that not everything needs to be so serious.
Alex Gollier (he/him/his)
Hometown: Portland
Year at UO: Sophomore
Major: Business Administration and Economics
Activities: UO Men's Club Soccer; UO Ski and Snowboard Freeride Team; UO Investment Group; Warsaw Sports Business Club
In my free time, I: Enjoy surfing, snowboarding, soccer, golfing, and spending time outside with my friends.
I’m a fan of: Asian food, sleeping in, and the Las Vegas Raiders.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I feel like I have experience in a wide variety of activities at UO and am in a position to help incoming freshmen navigate the countless possibilities that they will face in their first year.
When I was a first-year, I wish I knew: To try new things and meet as many people as you can.
Annison Harhay (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Henderson, Nevada
Year at UO: Sophomore
Major: English
Activities: Best Buddies; Pickleball; Middle School mentor
In my free time, I: Love to listen to music and watch movies. My favorite artists right now are Lauryn Hill, Men I Trust, and the Beatles. I’m also a big reader.
I’m a fan of: Any and every sport, especially basketball. Come to office hours and we can talk about why the Cleveland Cavaliers should be on everyone’s radar this year.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I loved my first-year experience in the Honors College, and I wanted to be a part of the group that makes the Honors College ARC an impactful place for first-year students.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: Winters in Eugene can be tricky. I come from a place where the sun always shines, so winter term caught me off guard. I wish I knew that staying busy is the best thing to do to help combat the difficulties the weather brings.
Analise Levy (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Denver
Year at UO: Junior
Major: Psychology
Activities: UO Hillel; Trip Initiator for the Outdoor Program; Intramural tennis; Intramural softball; Undergraduate Law Association; Peer math tutor
In my free time, I: Love doing anything outside. Whether it’s hiking, paddleboarding, camping, hammocking, skiing, I’ll be there. I also enjoy listening to music, yoga, thrifting, long car rides, watching movies, going to tons of concerts, and playing tennis with friends.
I’m a fan of: Folk music, Thai food, spontaneous adventures, mint chocolate chip ice cream, romance novels, Go-Go squeeze applesauce, and making new friends.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I hope to be a friendly face and a go-to person for all things college-related.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: Not to stress so much about finding “my people” immediately. Everyone at UO is so kind and outgoing that there are always new friends to be made.
Harper McClain (she/her/hers)
Hometown: St. Helena, California
Year at UO: Junior
Major: Human Physiology
Activities: Track and field and cross-country teams at UO; Occupy Medical
In my free time, I: Listen to music and watch movies.
I’m a fan of: Nike, Marvel, and the Oscars.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: In my freshman year, I felt like I couldn’t find a peer mentor who fit the pre-med/D1 student-athlete/CHC student mold. I am now that peer mentor and I want to provide guidance to students who feel overwhelmed.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: How many people at the U of O are available to help. All it takes is to find the right people and write up the questions you want answered.
Danny Nguyen (he/him/his)
Hometown: Portland
Year at UO: Junior
Major: Human Physiology; minor in Global Health
Activities: I participate in clubs and groups where I get to meet people with similar identities as me, such as being a first-gen student or as a Vietnamese American.
In my free time, I: Enjoy lots of activities such as surfing, volleyball, biking, and hammocking with some good music or a book.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I am always happy to answer any questions related to STEM as it can confusing and difficult at times, and just general college questions as I know it can be quite a confusing thing, especially as a first-year student.
Mia Owen (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Year at UO: Junior
Major: Landscape Architecture; minor in Environmental Studies
Activities: American Society of Landscape Architects communications; co-editor of Kitchen Sink Magazine
In my free time, I: Love anything outdoors! Talk to me about local hikes, running trails, and camp and swim spots.
I’m a fan of: The purple and green color combo, and I love moss.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: My major is unique, and I want to show that it is possible for anyone to be in the Honors College, regardless of what major you are.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: How to navigate Lawrence Hall.
Neha Pandit (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Portland
Year at UO: Senior
Major: Political Science; minor in Media Studies
In my free time, I: I love to read, paint, spend time in nature, or combine all three.
I’m a fan of: Pretty much anything in terms of music or movies and shows. If a friend recommends it, I’ll probably end up liking it.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I want to help first-year students through any challenges they face, connect them with resources, and make their first year as enjoyable as possible.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: That this is the best time to explore and try out new things, whether it’s clubs or classes or adventures, and that there are so many great resources, people, and activities on campus to connect with and to help you.
Anna Park (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Madras
Year at UO: Sophomore
Major: Political Science
Activities: I enjoy being involved in cultural clubs, such as Asian and Pacific Student Union and Korean Student Association, and attending lectures by guest speakers.
In my free time, I: Like to play tennis, take pictures, and cook for my friends.
I’m a fan of: Cats.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I want to build and maintain meaningful relationships with my peers to best support one another.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: No one has all their future planned out and if any time is the time to make mistakes, it’s now in college.
Sam Schroeder (he/him/his)
Hometown: Eugene
Year at UO: Junior
Major: Economics; minor in Creative Writing
Activities: Skiing; Climbing; Ultimate Frisbee
In my free time, I: Enjoy exploring the mountains in Oregon and playing guitar.
I’m a fan of: Settlers of Catan
I’m a Peer Mentor because: The Honors College rocks and it’s great to work with other students.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: More about the thesis process. It’s not as scary as it sounds.
Megan Tuleya (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Portland
Year at UO: Senior
Major: Planning, Public Policy, and Management; minors in Global Health and Sociology
Activities: Student Health Advisory Committee; the Duck Nest
In my free time, I: Love spending time outside, going on walks and hikes, picking up new hobbies (currently fixated on ceramics and reading), and bingeing Desperate Housewives with my roommates.
I’m a fan of: Book recommendations, Trader Joe’s candles, scones, spending time in the sun, and meeting people.
I’m a Peer Mentor because: I’m excited to help you all navigate your first year of college and everything that comes with it.
When I was a first-year student, I wish I knew: You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do and don’t have to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. What you are interested in will change and grow, you don’t need to have it all figured out.