Meet our Peer Academic Coaches

Choose a Peer Academic Coach from the list below and click the corresponding schedule meeting link to find your coach's availability. If you don't see any availability listed, then try scheduling with another coach or send an email with your name, z number, and availability to mmartinez@fau.edu. We look forward to meeting you!


 
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Liah Brussolo Cremona

Hometown:  Florida
College:  College of Science
Major:  B.S.
Year in school: Senior
Interesting fact about yourself/experience: I am a self-taught YouTube video and website creator. I started my channel, Liah-Academic Tutoring because I really enjoy tutoring science and math. I also have helped students succeed in their general chemistry 1 classes as a supplemental instructor and tutor.
Extra-Curricular Involvement: President for Strategies for Ecology, Education, Diversity and Sustainability (S.E.E.D.S), FAU Student Chapter of the Ecological Society of America.
Why I wanted to be a coach:  I wanted to become an academic coach because I think it is a great chance to interact with other students and help with academic success by sharing resources and opportunities that I think are important for students to know about. It seems like doing this has the potential to make a difference in student lives and university experiences.
Advice for being successful at FAU: Whenever you can, use as many resources as you can, especially when they are free, to give yourself an advantage. Make connections, get into research early (even if for mere experience), communicate with instructors, especially in your discipline of interest, about your goals and be open to their advice.

Click here to schedule a meeting with Liah!

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Michelle Jaron

Hometown:  Long Island, New York
College: College of Science
Major: Biological Sciences
Year in school:  Senior
Interesting fact about yourself/experience:  I run an online bakery business and make custom cakes/desserts!
Extra-Curricular Involvement: Chabad student involvement center, owls for Israel, volunteer at the crisis textline, medical missions abroad volunteer. 
Why I wanted to be a coach:  I wanted to become a Peer Academic Coach because as a first generation college student, it was difficult for me to adjust to college life. I had a hard time getting involved on campus and returned home after my freshman year. After returning home, I realized how awesome FAU is so I returned with a new mindset and a goal to help other students adjust to college life.
Advice for being successful at FAU: Time management and getting involved on campus is key in my opinion. Getting involved on campus will help you stay focused, motivated, and will help you build lifetime connections with students and faculty. 

Click here to schedule a meeting with Michelle!

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Jordan Sprechman

Hometown: Jupiter, Florida
College: College of Education
Major: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's program. My undergraduate major was psychology.
Year in school: First-year Master's student
Interesting fact about yourself/experience: I am really into reading, crafting, and art and I sell some of my digital art on Redbubble.
Extra-Curricular Involvement: I am a crisis counselor for Crisis Text Line.
Why I wanted to be a coach: I wanted to be a coach to help incoming students with their transition to college while gaining hands-on experience working face to face with people, as that is what I will be doing in my career as a counselor.
Advice for being successful at FAU: Get involved! Whether it is an academic or social club or organization, make the most out of your time in college. This is especially valuable when entering college during a pandemic since it will provide opportunities to meet your peers.

Click here to schedule a meeting with Jordan!

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Taylor Strawser

Hometown: Reston, Virginia
College: College of Science
Major: Health Science
Year in school: Senior
Interesting fact about yourself/experience: I currently work part-time as an Ophthalmic Tech/Scribe. I plan to apply to medical school after graduation.
Extra-Curricular Involvement: I am a student-athlete for the Women's Basketball team, part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and a founding member of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force for Athletes here at FAU.
Why I wanted to be a coach: After staying on campus for the majority of the coronavirus outbreak, I found it difficult to stay connected to those around me. Campus was virtually empty, all my classes were online and trying to keep my teammates safe left me confined to my dorm most weekends. Being a Peer Academic Coach is an opportunity to stay connected with my greater FAU community and help others feel at home here as well.
Advice for being successful at FAU: Always make an appearance. Whether its a meeting for a club you're not sure about joining, that office hours you don't think you need, or a campus event you don't know anyone at - always make an appearance. Worst case: you leave after a quick visit. Best case: you make friends or connections that will last long after graduation.

Click here to schedule a meeting with Taylor!

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Isabela Pullas Giraldo

Hometown:  Esmeraldas, Ecuador
College:  College of Business
Major:  M.S. in International Economics (B.B.A. in Business Economics from FAU)
Year in school:  First-year Master's student
Interesting fact about yourself/experience: Graduating as a first-generation Latina was definitely a challenging but rewarding journey. I'm a self-proclaimed multipotentialite, I enjoy learning new things whenever I get a chance. I'm currently perfecting my rollerblading technique and learning Korean. 
Extra-Curricular Involvement: This is my second year as a Peer Academic Coach in ACCESS. I was an SI Leader/Tutor with CLASS during my senior year of undergrad. This Fall, I'll be working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Economics Department. 
Why I wanted to be a coach: I wanted to give students the support that I wish I had as a first-year student. Being a PAC taught me many lessons during my senior year, and I can't wait to share them with the incoming first-year group. 
Advice for being successful at FAU: Be fearless and look for opportunities, and if they don't exist, create them. Try something new every once in a while, whether that is a new subject, club, cuisine, sport, genre, etc. The key to staying motivated is curiosity. Be curious about your surroundings, your possibilities, and the things you can accomplish. 

Click here to schedule a meeting with Isabela!

 

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Muhammad Rahman

Hometown: Bangladesh
College: College of Science
Major: Biological Sciences & Neuroscience and Behavior
Minor: Political Science
Year in school: Senior
Interesting fact about yourself/experience: I think I've broken at least five controllers during online matches.
Extra-Curricular Involvement: I spend a questionable amount of time trying new food.
Why I wanted to be a coach: I wanted to use my time to help other students get used to the undergraduate experience. As a first generation student myself, I understand how things may seem difficult at first. I hope that  students are able to learn from this initial point and understand that they all have great potential.
Advice for being successful at FAU: Don't feel pressured to compare yourself to others because everyone learns differently. You'll find your rhythm over time. 

Click here to schedule a meeting with Muhammad!

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Rachel Zuckerman

Hometown:  Gainesville Fl
College:  College Of Science
Major:  Biological Sciences 
Minor: Political Science
Year in school:  Sophomore
Interesting fact about yourself/experience:  I really like backpacking and hiking, One of the coolest places I have hiked was in the blue ridge mountains.
Extra-Curricular Involvement: Hillel, Outdoor sports, Anything with the beach 
Why I wanted to be a coach:  I wanted to give back and help the way FAU did to me when I became a freshman. Being a Peer Academic Coach gives me the tools to help income freshmen learn and get involved in this new college they call home. FAU Is my home and it is such a welcoming and open community, this job lets me welcome others to this amazing place. 
Advice for being successful at FAU: Be open to things you wouldn't normally go for. This is your time to be whatever you chose and reinvent yourself as many times as you chose. Talk to your teachers, Work with students in study groups. You made it to FAU and are welcomed with open arms. Carve out your path, make your own space in the world - let this place guide you to what you truly want to do in this world. 

Click here to schedule a meeting with Rachel!

 
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Christine Sowdon

Hometown: Orlando, FL
College: College of Business
Major: Healthcare Administration
Year in school: Junior
Interesting fact about yourself/experience: I recently started having people address me by my real name, Christine. Growing up, I only went by my nickname. I am a big music fan and I have been able to see some of my favorite artists in concerts and at music festivals, which was on my bucket list.
Extra-Curricular Involvement: In my free time, I like to volunteer with animals and I also have a passion for fitness!
Why I wanted to be a coach: I wanted to make a difference on campus by helping students get better acclimated to college life. Making the transition to college can be difficult, so I want to be there to support my fellow owls.
Advice for being successful at FAU: The best thing to do is to keep a positive mindset and enjoy your time in college. Make sure you stay on top of your work and never give up on your goals.

Click here to schedule a meeting with Christine!