Peer Advising

GS Peer Advisors are students who wish to provide support and advice about the opportunities and challenges at Columbia. Peer advisors are available to discuss academics, campus resources, personal concerns, and the transition to GS at either in-person walk-in hours or by scheduling an appointment by email.

Contact

Undergraduate Peer Advisors
[email protected]

Spring 2026 GS Peter J. Awn Lounge Walk-In Hours 

Mondays: 9:30 –  10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. .

Wednesdays: 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. 

Thursdays: 12 – 2:30 p.m. and 4 – 5 p.m.

Fridays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Peer Advisors

Aleigh Alarie
Creative Writing
Aleigh is from Rhode Island and has a varied educational background with certificates and degrees in Baking & Pastry Arts with a Cake Decorating concentration and Early Childhood Education & Development. Upon earning an Associates Degree from the Community College of Rhode Island, she transferred to GS and is majoring in Creative Writing with a concentration in Fiction. In addition to being a Peer Advisor, she also works in the Tutoring Center at the ARC as a Desk Attendant. In her free time, Aleigh is usually taking a walk in Riverside Park with her dog or looking for a fun brunch spot!

Maria Melillo
Cognitive Science
Maria was born and raised in Venezuela. At Columbia, she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Cognitive Science. Her research interests include human communication, language, and the developmental effects of social media on small children. Outside of school, she spends most of her time reading, developing cookie recipes, and practicing yoga. Her most valuable skill is having dining and coffee recommendations in (almost) every borough of NYC.

Rachel Son
Economics
Rachel is a senior at Columbia University in the dual degree program with the City University of Hong Kong. She was born in South Korea, spent seven years living in South Africa, and then continued her studies in Hong Kong before moving to New York. Having experienced such different places, she has always been curious about how people adapt to new environments. Her interests include music, reading, and exploring New York, such as discovering new coffee spots near campus. She is also passionate about finding ways to connect her academic path with her broader interests, whether that is through conversations with peers, involvement in student organizations, or learning from the diverse experiences of those around her. As a peer advisor, Rachel looks forward to being a resource for students navigating academics, but also someone you can reach out to when you want to talk through the ups and downs of campus life. She knows how daunting transitions can be, and she is excited to support fellow students in making Columbia feel a little more like home.

Isabela Moreira
Cognitive Sciences
Isabela is an International Student from Brazil who grew up in Nicaragua since the age of 13. In her previous life, she was a professional ballet dancer with the National Ballet Company of Nicaragua and moved to the US to escape the political conflicts of her country and dance with the American Repertory Ballet in Princeton, NJ. Once retiring from dance, Isabela decided to explore the arts in Philadelphia and go to Rowan College at Burlington County to pursue an associate degree in Psychology, when transferred to Columbia she found the wonders of Cognitive Sciences and is also minoring in Visual Arts. Outside of campus, she likes to spend her time with her pets, painting in the park, and exploring new places and different cultures with her loved ones. Isabela is currently creating an International Students Club so that students from everywhere can have a space to feel joy and share their culture!
 

Jamil Jalalzadah
Sustainable Development / Business Management
Jamil is studying Sustainable Development with a Special Concentration in Business Management and is an entrepreneur working at the intersection of sustainability, tech, policy, and capital. His work focuses on climate adaptation, energy access, and market-based solutions, with a particular interest in how innovation and policy can accelerate renewable energy deployment, drive market growth, and create impact where it matters most. He is a former professional football/soccer player who still can’t resist a good game, a long run, or the illusion that his photography is more than just "good."

Mila Antkevych
Visual Arts / Art History
Mila is a rising senior with major in Visual Arts and minor in Art History. She is from Ukraine. Her interests are symbolism in Visual Arts, photography, modernist art.

Jeremy Switzher
Anthropology / Art History / Archaeology
Jeremy is originally from Southwestern Colorado but he has traversed both the globe and the nation in other places he has called home. He is now a senior studying archaeology in realms of both anthropology and art history. Prior to matriculating at Columbia, Jeremy spent over 20 years as a tattooer and through that career was able to visit more than 60 countries. This travel instilled a necessity for understanding cultural difference and the cultivation for knowledge related to the distant past and how that may affect the ontologies of the present. In addition to peer advising, Jeremy is a part of the Gotham League of Archaeology Majors, the director of the Archaeology Open Lab and has participated in the Bancroft Research Scholars program studying human migration in Madagascar through archaeobotany. When not engaged in studies, Jeremy enjoys rock climbing, snow sports, motorcycles, board games and sci-fi media of various types. 

Jotera Webster
Psychology / African American and African Diaspora Studies
Jotera is a senior GS student majoring in psychology and minoring in African American and African Diaspora studies. She is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is the mother of four children. Jotera’s interests include watching movies, trying new restaurants, traveling, and finding fun activities to do with her children. Jotera looks forward to her position as a Peer Advisor to be of assistance to her fellow students who need help navigating academics as well as adjusting to life as a student in New York City.

Kate Francke
Computer Science / Economics
Kate is a senior in the Dual Degree BA with Sciences Po and Columbia University. Despite her Computer Science major, she is a self proclaimed tech novice, and is quick to ask for help and take advantage of office hours and ARC tutoring. She is Swedish-American, looking to continue her language pursuits in Swedish (fluent), French (conversational), and Spanish (very very poor). She is also an energetic member of the CU Womxn's Rugby Team, where she runs around and pretends to have control of the ball (fyi we're always looking for new recruits—email [email protected] for more info!). Come find her in the GS lounge for advice, a motivational pep talk, or just a good chat. 

Kent Andrews
Cognitive Science / Psychology
Kent is a rising junior entering his third year at GS. Originally from New Jersey, ballet has always been an integral part of his life. Throughout middle and high school, he commuted daily into New York City to pursue his dream of becoming a professional dancer. After realizing that dream and performing with First State Ballet Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware, Kent felt called to immerse himself in academia. He returned home and enrolled at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, where he studied computer science before transferring to Columbia University. At Columbia, Kent is majoring in Cognitive Science with a concentration in Psychology. He also serves as Vice President of the GS Alliance, a space
for nontraditional LGBTQIA+ students and their allies. In addition, he works as a resident advisor at his former ballet school’s dormitory and loves pet sitting! His interests include exploring new parts of NYC, reading, cooking, and listening to music. Feel free to reach out to Kent about being a transfer student at GS, commuting to campus, or tips for making the most of your Columbia experience. He looks forward to serving the GS community as a peer advisor!

Francesca Gilbard
Political Science
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Francesca Gilbard is a senior in the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po, where she studied on the Reims campus. At Columbia, she majors in Political Science while also taking courses at the Journalism School and the School of International and Public Affairs. She is passionate about the intersection of international affairs and media, having recently completed a summer internship with NBC’s Nightly News at 30 Rock, where she pitched and helped produce stories for an international audience. Outside the classroom, Francesca loves attending Broadway shows through “GS Goes to Broadway." Feel free to reach out to her about the Dual BA experience, pursuing media opportunities, or finding community at GS.