Engineering Peer Advising Leaders (EPALS)
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! >>

Heather Burkholder
Major: Biological Engineering
Email: hab5287@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have 4 horses, 2 mini horses, 1 mini donkey, 1 goat, 3 cats, 2 bunnies, and some chickens!
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
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— | In Person 8:30a - 9:30a Zoom: 9:30a - 10:30a | — | Zoom: 8:30a - 9:30a | — | — | — |

Gianna Caputo
Major: Chemical Engineering
Email: gac5405@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have a shih tzu named Skooter Puff.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | In Person 1:30p - 3:00p | Zoom 12:00p - 1:30p | — | — | — |

Julia Cusatis
Major: Computer Science
Email: jec5945@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I LOVE crafts! Crocheting and making friendship bracelets are my favorite crafts.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoom 10:00a - 11:00a | — | — | — | In Person 12:30- 2:30p | — | — |

Derek DeFreece
Major: Chemical Engineering
Email: dmd6313@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I used to teach Karate and I like to rock climb.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | — | In person 8:30a - 11:00a Zoom 11:00a - 11:30a | — | — | — |

Peter Delmolino
Major: Civil Engineering
Email: pxd5187@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have hiked to the top of Mount Vesuvius.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
In person 11:00a - 1:00p | — | In Person 8:30a - 9:30a | — | — | — | — |

Austin Gaydos
Major: Biological Engineering
Email: agg5261@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I transferred to Penn State from the University of Arizona.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | In Person 9:30a - 10:30a | — | Zoom 11:30a - 1:30p | — | — |

Faith Hansotte – LEAD EPAL
Major: Chemical Engineering
Email: fmh5113@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I love baking bread and got into it during Covid.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoom 2:00p - 3:00p | — | — | — | — | — | — |

Zoe Ike
Major: Industrial Engineering
Email: zmi5008@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I'm an avid hiker!
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | — | Zoom 9:30a - 10:30a | In Person 9:30a - 11:30a | — | — |

Eric Jurado
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Email: exj5139@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I like to draw in my spare time.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | In Person 3:00p - 4:00 | In Person 10:30a - 11:30a Zoom 11:30a - Noon | — | Zoom 10:00a - 10:30a | — | — |

Michelle Kizhakekara
Major: Computer Science
Email: mvk5936@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I’ve never stayed in the same house for more than four years.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | Zoom 12:30p - 1:00p In Person 1:00p - 1:30p | In Person 2:00p - 4:00p | — | — | — |

Kiernan Lavelle
Major: Computer Science
Email: kzl5508@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I’ve gone cliff jumping in Hawaii.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoom 12:30p - 1:00p In Person 1:00p - 2:00p | — | Zoom 2:30p - 3:00p In Person 3:00p - 4:00P | — | — | — | — |

Adam Maman
Major: Industrial Engineering
Email: abm6470@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I lived in Israel for three months.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | In Person 12:30 - 3:00p Zoom 3:00p - 3:30p | — | — | — | — | — |

James Martinis
Major: Industrial Engineering
Email: jzm6547@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have read all of the Harry Potter books...three times.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | Zm 10:30a-11:30a 12:30p-1p In Person 11:30-12:30 | — | Zoom 10:30a - 11:00a | — | — | — |

Trisha Poorbaugh – LEAD EPAL
Major: Biological Engineering
Email: tup147@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have traveled to 36 different states.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | Zoom 3:00p - 3:30p | Zoom 1:30p - 2:00p | — | — | — |

Michael Robertson
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Email: mjr6688@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I love to workout and play guitar.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | — | In Person 11:00 - 12:30p | In Person 2:30-4:00p | — | — |

Emma Rosko
Major: Chemical Engineering
Email: epr5234@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have never been on an airplane!
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | In Person 9:30a - 11:30a Zoom 11:30a - 12:30p | — | — | — | — | — |

Leeann Runkle
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Email: lkr5351@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I am an owner of the Green Bay Packers.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoom 11:30 - Noon | — | In Person 11:30a - 1:00p | — | In Person 8:30a - 9:30a | — | — |

Kushagra Sinha
Major: Computer Engineering
Email: kks5926@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I sleep for 3 hours a day.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | Zoom 1:00p - 2:00p | — | In Person 12:30- 2:00p Zoom 2:00p - 2:30p | — | — | — |

Sana Tipnis
Major: Computer Science
Email: sat5652@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I love reading. My favorite book I've read so far is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | Zoom 10:30a - 11:30a | — | Zoom 10:30a - 11:30a In Person 11:30a - 12:30a | — | — |

Dominic Touma
Major: Computer Science
Email: dst5197@psu.edu
Fun Fact: Over the summer I hiked the Pemi Loop which is 30 miles with 9 peaks in one day.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoom 1:30p - 2:00p In Person 2:00p - 4:00p | Zoom 2:00p - 2:30p | — | — | — | — | — |

Alexis Vajda
Major: Computer Science
Email: avv5358@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have flown a plane.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
In Person 8:30a - 9:30a Zoom 9:30a-10a & 11-11:30a | — | Zoom 1:00p - 2:00p | — | — | — | — |

Jaden Weed
Major: Engineering Science
Email: jrw6156@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I do stand up comedy in my free time.
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
In Person 9:30a - 11:00 a | — | Zoom 9:00a - 10:30a | — | — | — | — |