Academic Skills Peer Coaching

Meet Your Peer Coaches

Cecelia Kux

Hi! My name is Cece Kux (she/her) and I’m a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering in McKelvey. In my free time, you can probably find me exploring new coffee shops and thrift stores!

A college schedule and workload can be really challenging and intimidating. I’m excited to be an Academic Skills Peer Coach so I can share the strategies I’ve learned to lighten the load and make academics more enjoyable! I can offer specialized insight into the intro-STEM classes but can help more broadly with any academic and organizational stressors. I’m excited to meet you and start our work together!

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Mondays from 3:00 – 5:00 PM

Chris Serrao

Hello! My name is Chris Serrao and I’m a sophomore interested in classics, philosophy, and law. I am from Readington, NJ and I’m an Ervin Scholar at WashU. On campus, I’m closely involved with the Catholic Student Center and the WashU Undergraduate Law Review. In my spare time, I also enjoy birdwatching and reading Spanish poetry. Happy to help with time management and finding study strategies that work for you. I’m so excited to hear your story and share my own as your Peer Coach!

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Mondays from 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Hana Amirdash

Hello! My name is Hana Amirdash (she/her), and I am a sophomore double majoring in Global Studies and Organization and Strategic Management, with a minor in French. On campus I am involved in the Global Research and Consulting Group, WashU International Relations Council, and Delta Sigma Pi (DSP). I am also an active member of the Equestrian team. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time in nature, playing with my cat, and getting a sweet treat. I am passionate about helping others succeed and would love to help you strengthen your studying, time management, and organizational skills! I look forward to meeting you!

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Fridays from 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Hannah Much

Hi! My name is Hannah Much (she/her). I am a junior studying Cognitive Neuroscience. I am very proudly from Atlanta, and I am the biggest Hawks fan. In my downtime, you can find me trying new restaurants, watching SNL or any sitcom, and playing intramural soccer. Outside of the Learning Center, I also serve as the Managing Sports Editor for the Student Life newspaper and am a research assistant for a neurodevelopment lab. With many commitments, I have learned the importance of time management and organization and would love to share the strategies I learned with other students.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Thursdays from 3:00 – 5:00 PM

Harlem Taylor

Howdy! I’m Harlem Taylor (he/him) and I am a senior interested in economics, statistics, and marketing. I am from Little Rock, AR and I’m a Danforth Scholar at WashU. On campus, I’m closely involved with Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Resource center, both as a peer counselor and an outreach chair. I enjoy playing soccer and volleyball and making fun videos. I’m excited to hear your experiences and share my own as your Peer Coach!

I can help you get organized and develop best academic practices to succeed in any program or course, and I am especially familiar with foundational math and business courses.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Fridays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Jennifer Hong

Hi! My name is Jennifer Hong (she/her). I am a chemistry major and I love pickles! I decided to become a peer coach because the support I received during my first year was so impactful. Time management, test stress, mental blocks, study strategies, and navigating the transition to college rigor are some of the skills I’d love to help with as a coach.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Wednesdays from 3:00 – 5:00 PM

Kim Kimani

Jambo! I’m Kimberly Kimani (she/her), and I am a junior double majoring in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Political Science while minoring in Entreprenuership. I am from St. Louis, MO, the 314. I am a Danforth and TRIO Scholar. Here on campus, I’m involved in quite a few organizations and activities, including Uncle Joe’s, SU Treasury, Association of Black Students, and African Student Association. I’m also a WUSA! I enjoy filling up my camera roll and phone storage with plenty of pictures and videos, watching anime, and adding to my sneaker collection.

I’m excited to be a Peer Coach because of the opportunity this position gives me to help you the same way I too received help. I look forward to helping you discover the little things that could be monumental to your success!

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Tuesdays from 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Natalia Barajas

Hi! I’m Natalia Barajas (she/her), a senior at WashU studying Finance and Economics & Strategy. I’m originally from Chicago, IL, and in my free time you can usually find me at the rec doing Zumba or exploring new coffee shops around the city. On campus, I serve as President of Redefine Her Street and Head of Recruitment for Olin Peer Ambassadors.

I’m excited to share strategies for staying organized, managing time and stress, and making the most of your academic and professional experiences, as well as my favorite notion templates to stay organized! I can also offer insight into finance roles, the recruitment process, and navigating the full-time job search.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Tuesdays from 12:00 – 2:00 PM

Nikhita Varma

Hi! My name is Nikhita Varma (she/her), and I’m a junior majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Biology. In my free time, I love to read, grab a sweet treat, or plan my next trip abroad! As an Academic Skills Peer Coach, I’m looking forward to helping you build stronger habits around time management, organization, and handling exam stress or mental blocks! Having the right person in your corner can make all the difference, and that’s what drew me to this role. I can’t wait to connect and figure out what works best for you!

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Thursdays from 4:00 – 6:00 PM (virtual)

Olivia Petlak

Hi! My name is Olivia Petlak, and I am excited to be an Academic Skills Peer Coach! I am a sophomore studying Political Science and Psychology. You can usually find me planning out my week on Google Calendar and finding ways to make everything fit together! I love staying organized and am excited to share the strategies that have helped me make academics feel more manageable and enjoyable. As a Peer Coach, I am here to hep you find a system that works for you and support you as you work toward your academic goals. I cannot wait to meet you!

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Tuesdays from 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Oscar Zhu

Hi, my name is Oscar Zhu (he/him), and I’m majoring in mathematics and financial engineering. I’m from Shanghai, China, and I’m also a bear ambassador at WashU. I enjoy hiking, golf, and playing guitar. One fun fact about me is I love my cat (not the one in the picture). I joined the Academic Skills Peer Coaching team because I believe the right support can make a meaningful difference. I hope to help students find study strategies that work for them, feel more confident in their abilities, and approach academic challenges with greater clarity and ease.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Thursdays from 1:00 – 3:00 PM (virtual)

Tanisha Paul

Hello! My name is Tanisha Paul (she/her). I am a senior studying Biology with minors in both WGSS (Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) and Medical Humanities. In my downtime, you can find me dancing in the studio with WashU Bhangra, at the gym, or at a coffee shop on the Loop. I am excited to help provide tailored support, encourage organizational skills, and meet you where you are on your academic journey. I am especially familiar with both pre-health classes and humanities (writing-heavy) courses.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 AM (virtual)

Bu Meh (Graduate Fellow)

Hello everyone! My name is Bu Meh (she/her), and I am a second-year Master of Public Health student at WashU’s Bursky School of Public Health as a Generalist concentrator. I recently graduated from WashU with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, focusing on Global Health and Environment.

As an MPH student, I am particularly interested in the intersections of health policy, environmental health, and global health. During my undergraduate years, I was a Taylor Scholar for four years. I also worked as an Anthropology research assistant for three years. Both experiences that strengthened my passion for mentorship, research, and community engagement.

In my free time, you can find me FaceTiming my nephews, taking long nature walks, or cooking homemade Thai cuisine. I am excited to serve as a Peer Coach because this role allows me to support fellow students, just as others have supported me throughout my own journey. I am especially passionate about helping students navigate the transition to college, supporting first-generation students, and providing academic and professional mentorship.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Mondays from 6:00 – 8:00 PM & Wednesdays from 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Derek Simon (Graduate Fellow)

Hi! My name is Derek Simon (he/they), and I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences. My research revolves around the dynamic and variable nature of personality. In daily life, we rarely act the same from situation to situation, and I study the reasons why our behavior continuously changes. Outside of research, I enjoy spending time outside, playing video games, and listening to my favorite music. I am also very passionate about teaching and the learning process, which is why I am thrilled to be joining The Learning Center as a Graduate Fellow to support you in achieving your academic goals! We are all here to help.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Wednesdays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & Thursdays from 1:30 – 3:30 PM

Grace Uwase (Graduate Fellow)

Hi everyone! My name is Grace Uwase (she/her), and I am an MD/PhD student at Washington University School of Medicine. My PhD research was in microbiology, where I investigated the molecular mechanisms that regulate Ebola virus replication and immune evasion. As a future physician-scientist, I hope to combine patient care, education, and research to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying disease and improve patient outcomes.

Beyond science and medicine, I am passionate about education in all its forms. I have worked with learners ranging from K-12 to medical students, and I enjoy helping them develop a good understanding of complex concepts while building effective study habits. Learning can be productive and fun for everyone, and as a graduate fellow, I hope to help learners identify their strengths, develop effective learning habits, and gain confidence in their abilities. Outside of academics, I enjoy social dancing, crocheting, cooking (and eating!), and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to working with you and supporting you throughout your academic journey.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:00 – 9:00 PM (virtual)

Quintrel Brown (Graduate Fellow)

Quintrel is a Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and community builder from St. Louis who brings over 15 years of leadership experience to his role as a Grad Fellow. Before pursuing his MBA through the Olin Business School, he co-founded Kre8 Spaces, LLC, a multimedia creative incubator in downtown St. Louis that has supported 25,000+ professionals and generated over $500,000 for the local creative economy. He also holds a BA in Cinema Art and Science from Columbia College Chicago.

Quintrel became a Grad Fellow because he believes that access to guidance and mentorship can change the entire trajectory of someone’s life, a belief he has built his career around. He knows firsthand that talent is everywhere, but support structures aren’t, and he wants to be part of closing that gap right here at WashU.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Thursdays from 6:00 – 8:00 PM & Fridays from 3:00- 5:00 PM (virtual)

Rebecca Amonor (Graduate Fellow)

Hello! My name is Rebecca Amonor (she/her) and I am a PhD candidate in English and American literature. I am also a McDonnell International Scholars Academy Fellow and an American Culture Studies (AMCS) Fellow as well. My research focus is 21^st century literature written by authors raised by African immigrants in America, exploring themes of home, identity, race, belonging and diaspora. I completed my undergraduate degree at Yale where I double majored in English and African American studies and also received a certificate in Chinese. At Yale, I was a Mellon Mays Undergraduate fellow (MMUF) which opened me up to the possibility to pursuing PhD.

In addition to the many other roles I had as an undergrad (feel free to ask me more about this), I had the privilege of serving as an Academic Strategies Fellow, which is the equivalent of the Academic Skills Peer Coaches here at WashU! Thus, I was really excited when I learned about the opportunity to serve as an Academic skills graduate fellow because I thrived at Yale through the coaching of peer and grad fellows in undergrad (especially senior year when I was applying for grad make things a little better for the next person, and I’m excited to work with you to provide tailored, individualized support to help you be the best holistic student you can be to succeed!

Also, in my free time, I love watching movies, spending quality time with loved ones, and eating good food! I also love exploring and trying new things—so please feel free to share any restaurant or site recommendations you have!

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 3:00 – 5:00 PM (virtual)

 

Violet DeLuca (Graduate Fellow)

Hello! I’m Violet and I’m in the second year of my master’s program in public health, but I attended WashU for undergrad as well, where I earned a BA in Anthropology: Global Health and Environment with a minor in writing. I love long-distance running and I have a kitten named Ozzy.

I’m happy to talk about organization, study skills, time management, or anything else that would be helpful for you. I’m excited to meet and work with you!

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Mondays & Tuesdays, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (virtual)

Zubeiru Mahama (Graduate Fellow)

Hello! My name is Zubeiru Mahama (he/him), and I am a PhD student in the Department of Education. I am also a McDonnell International Academy Scholar. My research investigates attention and retention in learning environments, with a particular focus on how students engage with and remember lecture materials. More broadly, I investigate the challenges posed by distractions such as multitasking and mind-wandering, as well as the benefits of strategies like note-taking and retrieval practice. I am passionate about bridging cognitive science and educational practice to design more effective and engaging learning experiences. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing soccer and relaxing with video games. I look forward to connecting and supporting you in reaching your academic goals.

Fall 2026 coaching hours: Mondays & Tuesdays, 3:00 – 5:00 PM (virtual)