Engineering Peer Advising Leaders (EPALS)
EPAL drop in hours for the Fall 2023 semester begins on 8/21/23.
The Engineering Peer Advising Leaders (EPALS) are a cohort of upper-class College of Engineering students who offer technical and advising support to first- and second-year students who are exploring majors within the College of Engineering. EPALs strive to promote academic excellence and student success by contributing to the intellectual and personal growth of students and by encouraging students to develop self-advocacy skills.
EPALs can provide peer assistance within the LionPATH, Canvas, and Starfish systems and can support students in understanding and utilizing these university platforms. The EPALs can answer general questions regarding university and college-level resources and in general, life as a Penn State engineering student.
Please see each EPAL below for their individual schedule.
There are also limited Zoom drop-ins for several EPALs. Refer to each EPAL if there are Zoom hours available. Click the Zoom EPAL drop-in link below to join during the posted hours and you will be placed in the waiting room. When you are next in line, an EPAL will admit you to the Zoom meeting.
If you have questions, please contact us at epals@engr.psu.edu.
Interested in being an EPAL? Learn more! >>
Temilade Adeyemo
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor:
Email: taa5518@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I love exploring new places and crocheting!
Involvement: Product Design Engineer at Amazon. Math and Physics Peer tutor. Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE). National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Society of Women Engineers (SWE). African Student Association (ASA).
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 12:00 - 1:00 pm (In person), 1:00 - 2:00 pm (Zoom) | — | — | — | — | — |
Deeksha Banala
Major: Computational Data Sciences
Minor:
Email: dfb5590@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I can speak 4 languages
Involvement: Research intern at the center of biodevices at Dr. Jason Moore's lab. Member of Jadhoom, a competitive dance team.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 AM - 12:30 PM, In Person | 12:00 - 12:30 PM, Zoom | — | — | — | — | — |
AnnMarie Bendixen
Major: Architectural Engineering-Structural Option
Minor:
Email: arb6657@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I collect sand dollars and seashells.
Involvement: Interned twice with Blum Construction. Lifetime member of the Girl Scouts.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30-3:00pm (in person) | — | — | — | 10:30-11:00am (virtual) | — | — |
Jada Bernitt
Major: Engineering Science
Minor:
Email: jhb5473@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I love baking, usually cookies or cupcakes are my go-to!
Involvement: President of the PSU CrossFit Club. THON 2023 dancer relations committee member.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 8:30-10am In Person | 12:30-1pm Zoom | — | — | — | — |
Crystal Bower
Major: Biological Engineering-Agriculture Option
Minor:
Email: clb6429@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I went zip-lining across the El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico!
Involvement: Treasurer for ASABE(American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) THON committee member.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | In person: 1-3pm | — | — | — |
Michael Buck
Major: Industrial Engineering
Minor: Entreprene
Email: mjb7900@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have a beach volleyball court in my backyard.
Involvement: Industrial Engineer Intern - supply chain at Sheetz Distribution Services. Corporate chair for Penn State Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. Front Desk Assistant in the Engineering Academic Advising Office.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | In person: 11 am - 12 pm | Zoom: 12 pm - 1 pm | — | — |
Heather Burkholder
Major: Undergraduate: Biological Engineering-Off Road Equipment Option Graduate: Agricultural and Biol
Minor:
Email: hab5287@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have 4 horses, 2 mini horses, 1 mini donkey, 2 dogs, 5 cats, and many chickens.
Involvement: Penn State Western Equestrian Club. ASABE. Alpha Epsilon Honor Society. Research: Biomass Lab, Smart Agriculture Lab. INTERNSHIPS: CNH Industrial
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Zoom: 11:00am - 12:00pm | — | In-person: 10:00am - 11:00am | — | — | — |
Peirce Condo
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Minor:
Email: pjc5738@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I trained in pre-professional ballet in 4 different states before attending PSU.
Involvement: Wrestling Affiliate Club (Membership Chair). Engineering Ambassadors. Re-AIM lab (undergraduate research assistant). Pennoni Associates Internships (2022 and 2023)
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | 1-2PM (In-Person) | 3-4PM (Zoom) | — | — | — |
Ellen Creighton
Major: Industrial Engineering
Minor:
Email: egc5221@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I know how to make balloon animals.
Involvement: Newman Catholic Student Association. The Navigators. Women in Engineering Program. Operation Blue & Gold THON org. President of the Joint-Force ROTC Honors society (last year), Scabbard & Blade. Schreyer Honors College. Studied Mandarin for two summers
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 11:00am-12:00pm in-person | — | — | 8:30-9:30am in-person | — | — |
Andrew Eilertsen
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Minor:
Email: ahe5097@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I'm a private pilot with an instrument rating!
Involvement: Private tutor for various stem related courses.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | 10:30am-11:30am (ZOOM) | 11:00am-12:00pm (In Person) | — | — |
Nicole Erwin
Major: Biomedical Engineering-Medical Images and Devices
Minor:
Email: npe5054@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have two fluffy cats named Ella and Bootsie.
Involvement: PSU BMES, ServeState, research assistant in Dr. Kothapalli's lab.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 11-11:45 (in-person) | 10-11 (zoom) | — | — | — | — |
Phoebe Foerster
Major: Chemical Engineering
Minor: Biomedical
Email: pff5104@psu.edu
Fun Fact: My senior superlative was “Most Likely to Win the Hunger Games.”
Involvement: Corporate Outreach Chair for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE). Undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Zydney's Bioprocessing and Membrane Separations Lab.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | 12-1pm (In Person) | — | — | — |
Gavin Gallagher
Major: Architectural Engineering-Structural Option
Minor:
Email: gjg5377@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I am minoring in Japanese and I also like to draw.
Involvement: Viwinco Internship. Art Club
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00 - 3:00pm (Zoom) | — | 3:00 - 4:00pm (In-Person) | — | — | — | — |
Cara Hockett
Major: Industrial Engineering
Minor: Informatio
Email: cmh7175@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I’ve never seen the ocean.
Involvement: Engineering Ambassadors. THON. Engineering Orientation Network.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | 1pm-2pm (zoom) 2pm-3pm (in person) | — | — |
Eric Jurado
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor:
Email: exj5139@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I like to draw in my spare time.
Involvement: Penn State Motorsports (Formerly Penn State Formula Racing). PennDOT internship
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4pm IN-PERSON | — | — | — | 3-4pm IN-PERSON | — | — |
Jaiden Kinley
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Minor: Engineerin
Email: jsk5733@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I own an original 1953 Willys Truck.
Involvement: Atlas. Bridge Design Intern for Penndot
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| zoom 1-2 | — | — | — | in office 1-2 | — | — |
Andrew Koenig
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Engineerin
Email: ajk6567@psu.edu
Fun Fact: My nickname is "Rooster".
Involvement: Department Leader within the Penn State Advanced Vehicle Team. Penn State American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 9:30-10:00am, 2:30-4:00pm | — | — | — | — | — |
Gabriel Louw
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Musical Ar
Email: gcl5109@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have a second major in French Horn Performance!
Involvement: Blue Band, various other Penn State musical ensembles. Resident Assistant. Horn Society at Penn State. Schreyer Honors College. Leonhard Scholars. Site/Civil Intern at Langan (Summer 2023).
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | 12:00-1:00pm (In person) | — | — |
Adam Maman – LEAD EPAL
Major: Industrial Engineering
Minor:
Email: abm6470@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I play club dodgeball.
Involvement: UPS Industrial Engineering Intern. Chabad Executive Board Member. Penn State club Dodgeball.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Valeria Ortiz
Major: Biomedical Engineering-Biomechanics & Mechanical Engineering
Minor:
Email: vio5036@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I completed firefighter/EMT training before starting college.
Involvement: Outreach director of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Engineering Ambassador. Activities lead for the Multicultural Engineering Program Orientation. Millennium Scholars Program. Studied abroad in Singapore. Completed a research internship
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | 1:30-2:00pm (Zoom) | 8:30-10:00am (In person) | — | — | — |
Hally Owens
Major: Chemical Engineering
Minor: Environmen
Email: heo5045@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I’ve been to 11 National Parks and I lived in Colorado this summer.
Involvement: Amazon Operations Intern. Learning Assistant for CHEM 112. Secretary of AICHE
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | 2:00-3:00pm (In Person) | 12:00-1:00pm (Zoom) | — | — | — |
Taylor Pierce
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Mathematic
Email: tkp5284@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I love hiking and backpacking, and the longest hiking trip I've been on was 35 miles.
Involvement: THON. Association of Women in Computing. GAP Solutions Internship.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30pm - 1:00pm (Zoom) | — | 8:30am - 10:00am (In-Person) | — | — | — | — |
Tara Presnall
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Entomology
Email: tmp5788@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I'm in the first class of female Eagle Scouts!
Involvement: Smithsonian & USDA Entomology Research Intern. Boy Scouts of America Assistant Scoutmaster. PSU Entomology Museum Specialist. National Eagle Scout Association of DC (NESA DC). PSU American Society of Mechanical Engineers. (PSU ASME). PSU Entomology G
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | 11am-1pm (in-person) | — | — | — | — |
Mikayla Quinn
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor:
Email: mmq5064@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I love college baseball! I have picked the NCAA champion team accurately three years in a row, and hope to go to Omaha next year to watch a College World Series in person.
Involvement: 2023-2024 social chair for PSU German club. THON committee member. Women in Engineering.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person: 12:30-1:30pm | — | — | Zoom: 2:00-3:00pm | — | — | — |
Anirudh Ramanathan
Major: Computer Engineering
Minor: Computer S
Email: axr5861@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have extremely good memory and tend to remember things really well!
Involvement: Research at Penn State. Internship at Northrop Grumman
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Rohan Rastogi
Major: Computer Science
Minor:
Email: rvr5587@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I interned at a tech start up based in Dallas TX this summer.
Involvement: University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC) - Director of Internal Affairs. Nittany Ai Student Society (NAiSS) - Treasurer & Director of Outreach. South Asian Student Association (SASA) - Treasurer. Resident's Assistant - Hamilton Hall. Center for Sociall
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 3-4 ZOOM | — | 3-4 In-Person | — | — | — |
Leeann Runkle – LEAD EPAL
Major: Biomedical Engineering-Medical Images and Devices
Minor:
Email: lkr5351@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I visited Runkle Castle in Germany this summer.
Involvement: BMES. Engineering Leadership Society. Women in Engineering. Multicultural Engineering Program. Women in Engineering Program. Schreyer Honors College. Clark Scholar. Studied abroad in Switzerland. Interned at Corning. Research in BME.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | Zoom: 11:30am - 12:00pm | — | — | — |
Sana Tipnis
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Engineerin
Email: sat5652@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I've been to 14 countries!
Involvement: Internships: - PwC (Tech Consulting Intern - Cloud & Digital SAP) - TD Securities (SWE Intern) - Manhattan Associates (SWE Intern). Clubs: - Penn State Infusion (Tech & Production Manager & Director) - WEP (Course Facilitator - Math 140) - THON Hospi
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1-2:30pm (In Person) | — | 1-1:30pm (Zoom) | — | — | — |
Dominic Touma
Major: Computer Science
Minor:
Email: dst5197@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I will graduate in 4 years with both of my degrees.
Involvement: Internship at VPT Components (semiconductor manufacturing).
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | 10-11am (in person), 2:15-3pm (zoom) | — | — | — | — |
Alexis Vajda
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Cybersecur
Email: avv5358@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have flown a plane before
Involvement: Association of Women in Computing - Vice President. EON- President. THON Technology Captain,. Homecoming OPP Captain. Career Envoy. Lockheed Martin Internship, Accenture Internships.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-12:30pm, Zoom | — | — | — | 9:30-11 am | — | — |
