Engineering Peer Advising Leaders (EPALS)
There are no EPAL drop-ins during the summer semester. They will resume when classes begin in the Fall 2023.
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!
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Gianna Caputo
Major: Chemical Engineering
Email: gac5405@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have a shih tzu named Skooter Puff.
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Julia Cusatis
Major: Computer Science
Email: jec5945@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I LOVE crafts! Crocheting and making friendship bracelets are my favorite crafts.
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Derek DeFreece
Major: Chemical Engineering
Email: dmd6313@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I used to teach Karate and I like to rock climb.
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Peter Delmolino
Major: Civil Engineering
Email: pxd5187@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have hiked to the top of Mount Vesuvius.
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Austin Gaydos
Major: Biological Engineering
Email: agg5261@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I transferred to Penn State from the University of Arizona.
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Faith Hansotte – LEAD EPAL
Major: Chemical Engineering
Email: fmh5113@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I love baking bread and got into it during Covid.
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Zoe Ike
Major: Industrial Engineering
Email: zmi5008@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I'm an avid hiker!
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Eric Jurado
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Email: exj5139@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I like to draw in my spare time.
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Michelle Kizhakekara
Major: Computer Science
Email: mvk5936@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I’ve never stayed in the same house for more than four years.
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Kiernan Lavelle
Major: Computer Science
Email: kzl5508@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I’ve gone cliff jumping in Hawaii.
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Adam Maman
Major: Industrial Engineering
Email: abm6470@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I lived in Israel for three months.
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James Martinis
Major: Industrial Engineering
Email: jzm6547@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have read all of the Harry Potter books...three times.
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Trisha Poorbaugh – LEAD EPAL
Major: Biological Engineering
Email: tup147@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have traveled to 36 different states.
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Michael Robertson
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Email: mjr6688@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I love to workout and play guitar.
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Emma Rosko
Major: Chemical Engineering
Email: epr5234@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have never been on an airplane!
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Leeann Runkle
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Email: lkr5351@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I am an owner of the Green Bay Packers.
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Kushagra Sinha
Major: Computer Engineering
Email: kks5926@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I sleep for 3 hours a day.
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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
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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.
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Alexis Vajda
Major: Computer Science
Email: avv5358@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have flown a plane.
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Jaden Weed
Major: Engineering Science
Email: jrw6156@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I do stand up comedy in my free time.
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