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

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
Gianna Caputo

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
Julia Cusatis

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
Derek DeFreece

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
Peter Delmolino

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
Austin Gaydos

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
Faith Hansotte

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
Zoe Ike

Zoe Ike

Major: Industrial Engineering
Email: zmi5008@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I'm an avid hiker!

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Eric Jurado

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
Michelle Kizhakekara

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
Kiernan Lavelle

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
Adam Maman

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
James Martinis

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
Trisha Poorbaugh

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
Michael Robertson

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
Emma Rosko

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
Leeann Runkle

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
Kushagra Sinha

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
Sana Tipnis

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
Dominic Touma

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
Alexis Vajda

Alexis Vajda

Major: Computer Science
Email: avv5358@psu.edu
Fun Fact: I have flown a plane.

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Jaden Weed

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
 
 

About

The Engineering Advising Center (EAC) serves as the academic advising resource for students in pre-major status (ENGR) at University Park. Once students have been admitted to a College of Engineering major, they will be assigned to a faculty adviser in that major.

Engineering Advising Center

208 Hammond Building

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA 16802

Phone: 814-863-1033