Academic Skills Peer Coaching

Peer coaches are here to help undergraduate and CAPS students get and stay organized, develop a study routine, learn about evidence-based study strategies, communicate with instructors, manage test anxiety, and more!

Click here to schedule a meeting with a Peer Coach!

You will be prompted to log into your WUSTL Outlook account to access the scheduler. All Coaches are available for video appointments; in person appointments, if available, will take place in or near the Learning Center’s office in the lower level of the Mallinckrodt Center. Peer Coaching appointments must be scheduled in advance; there are no drop-in hours at this time. Same-day appointments may be available.

Please note that the scheduler displays all times in your local time zone. Here are the Peer Coaches’ hours for the Summer 2025 semester:

Kotomi Yokokura: Mondays from 2:00 – 4:00 PM & Tuesdays from 1:00 – 3:00 PM (virtual only) **
Mallorie Goodwin: Tuesdays from 3:00 – 5:00 PM (virtual only)
Arianna Varela: Wednesdays from 12:00 – 4:00 PM (virtual only) **
Tanisha Paul: Fridays from 4:00 – 6:00 PM (virtual only)

** Arianna, Kotomi, and Rayna are the Learning Center’s graduate fellows. They are available to help students at both the undergraduate and graduate level, including CAPS students.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to read more about your Peer Coaches!

Other Academic Skills Resources

In addition to Academic Skills Peer Coaching, the Learning Center offers robust services to help undergraduate students achieve their academic goals. The resources/services featured on this page can help you achieve specific goals and complement your participation in our other Academic Programs. We provide support for a variety of academic skills, including:

Study strategies
Time management and productivity
Note-taking
Avoiding procrastination and increasing persistence
Collaboration
Managing test anxiety
Approaching instructors (and other course-related resources) and utilizing office hours effectively

Academic Skills Self-Assessment

The Academic Skills Assessment can help you identify your strengths and opportunities for growth. This survey should take you less than 10 minutes to complete, and you can take it as many times as you’d like in order to track your progress throughout your college career.

Your results, which you will receive via email after completing the survey, are confidential and are intended for your own personal reference, though you can also choose to forward them to an Academic Skills Peer Coach or Learning Center staff member prior to meeting with them.

Online Resource Library

Our academic skills resource library includes videos, worksheets, apps, and more! You can filter by specific academic skills (study strategies, time management, etc.) or browse the entire collection.

Meet with a Learning Center Staff Member

Learning Center staff are also available to meet one-on-one with CAPS students and answer questions about academic skills resources. Email learningcenter@wustl.edu to set up an appointment with a staff member.

Visit the Writing Center

The Learning Center does not offer any dedicated support for writing. You can visit our campus partner The Writing Center for all your writing support needs!

Meet Your Peer Coaches

Grace Tyau

Hi, I’m Grace Tyau (she/her) and I’m a junior from Springfield, Missouri! I’m pre-social work, studying American Culture, Psych, and Spanish. On campus, I’m an Uncle Joe and TRIO mentor, and in a few community service clubs. Outside of school, I love reading and cooking! I can’t wait to help you on your academic journey this year!

Harlem Taylor

Howdy! I’m Harlem Taylor (he/him) and I am a sophomore 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.

Mallorie Goodwin

Hi! My name is Mallorie Goodwin and I use she/her pronouns. I am a junior majoring in History and Sociology. In my free time, you can find me sewing, spending time with my friends, or working with Alpha Phi Omega, my service fraternity. I became a Peer Coach because the role combines two of my favorite things, learning and service. I am so excited to share my passion for these two pursuits with all of you through my time with the Learning Center!

Margot Kades

Hi, my name is Margot Kades (she/her), and I am from Houston, Texas! I am a sophomore majoring in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology on the cognitive neuroscience track with a minor in Writing. At WashU, I am a Synapse 101 coordinator and on the executive board of Hillel. I am also an MBB UGAI and conduct research at an educational psychology lab. In my free time, you can find me going on walks, trying new restaurants, and relaxing with friends. I became a Peer Coach because I am passionate about educational equity and supporting my peers. I am so excited to get to know you as a 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 introductory psychology/neuroscience courses and writing-intensive courses.

Princess Fayemi

Hello! My name is Princess Fayemi (she/her), and I’m a junior majoring in Psychology & Brain Sciences on the pre-med track. I’m originally from Lagos, Nigeria, but I’ve called Atlanta, Georgia home for the past 10 years. On campus, I’m actively involved as a member of the executive board for WUPAC and MAPS. I have a passion for reading Nigerian novels, listening to music, exploring nature on walks, traveling, and spending quality time with friends. As a peer coach, my goal is to help students navigate the transition to college life with ease and to be a guiding light during the challenges of their academic journey. I’m thrilled to be a part of your journey this school year!

Tanisha Paul

Hello! My name is Tanisha, and I use she/her pronouns. I am a current sophomore majoring in neuroscience and minoring in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. In my downtime, I enjoy baking, going on recreational runs, or dancing with the WashU Bhangra team! I chose to become a Peer Coach to share a myriad of unique study strategies and time-management skills with my ambitious and diligent peers. I’m very passionate and eager to provide you with the support you deserve!

Arianna Varela (Graduate Fellow)

Hello! My name is Arianna Varela (she/her), and I am a first-year graduate student at the Brown school studying social work with a concentration in mental health. As an undergraduate, I studied Latin American Studies at Carleton College and have used my academic background to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of immigrants. In my free time, I like attending Zumba classes, crocheting, and taking my cat on walks. I am excited to help my fellow students embrace their academic strengths as they navigate life here at WashU.

I can help you get organized and develop best academic practices to succeed in any program or course, and I am especially familiar with reading and writing-intensive courses such as those in the humanities, social sciences, languages, and social work.

Kotomi Yokokura (Graduate Fellow)

Hi! My name is Kotomi Yokokura (she/her) and I am a graduate student at the Brown School studying social work and social policy. For my undergraduate, I went to the University of Kentucky, where I founded a student and nonprofit organization around menstrual equity, worked with the Kentucky legislature, and conducted research around the experience of homelessness and houselessness. As a disabled student, I am passionate about increasing the accessibility of higher education and navigating these spaces with students. I am so excited to meet and learn more about all of you!

Rayna Tang (Graduate Fellow)

Hi! My name is Rayna, and I use she/her pronouns. I’m a third-year PhD student in Psychological and Brain Sciences, where I focus on episodic memory and how the brain enables it. In my free time, I love dancing, playing tennis, snowboarding, and exploring film photography. Fun fact: all my cameras are older than I am! I became a Graduate Fellow because many people supported me along my journey, and now it’s my turn to help others. I’m excited to help you thrive and become the person you aspire to be through my time as a Graduate Fellow!

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