Peer facilitators are upper-level Cognitive Science students who support their peers through:
- Increasing awareness about the CogSci major on campus
- Helping undeclared students explore whether or not CogSci is a good fit
- Creating a sense of community among declared CogSci students
- Answering curriculum/class registration questions for their peers
- Working with their peers on decisions about the future, and the best way to market CogSci as they pursue grad school, internships, or jobs
- Offering strategies to support their peers in time management and studying
- Sharing the student perspective with their peers on courses and opportunities such as research and study abroad
Peer Facilitator Advising
Peer facilitators will offer in-person, virtual, or phone advising throughout the semester, with the ability to select their preferred format.
In order to safely social distance, the study tables in the Weiser Suite will be allocated for peer facilitators only.
In accordance with University policy, students MUST wear a mask at advising appointments, regardless of vaccination status. Students who refuse to wear a mask will have their appointment cancelled.
Students may only come a maximum of 5 minutes prior to their appointment and must wait in designated areas. If a student has not checked in 10 minutes after their appointment slot, their appointment will be cancelled.
Don't see a time that works for you? Email cogsci.peerfacilitators@umich.edu to schedule!
Will Haeck, Senior, Computation Track
Ask Will about: any general CogSci questions, course questions, switching majors/minoring in Computer Science, internships, working job remotely
Why CogSci: Seeing the complexity of the mind and how it continues to evade being categorized is absolutely fascinating and just shows how incredible its design really is! Also it’s just cool to know why and how my brain does things :)
Experiences: Computer Science minor, 2 years interning as a remote developer with a startup company in California, 3 years as Student Leader in Cru (Christian organization on campus)
Hopes after graduation: Hopefully joining the workforce as a full stack developer and moving a bit further south!
More about Will: Unfortunately, I was born in Boston and so I’m a fan of every Boston/New England sports team. I love taking walks in the Arb and cemetery, playing (and losing) video games with roommates and friends, calling my dog Sparky “Sparkles” just to annoy my family a little bit, and saying I’ll do little programming projects… which I end up not doing.
Madeline Trumbauer, Senior, Decision Track
Ask Madeline about: General Cogsci questions, course questions, dual-degree (with UMSI specifically if it's relevant!), internships
Why Cogsci: To strengthen my critical thinking through a wide breadth of topics
Experiences: UMSI double major, Students for Reproductive Rights and Justice President, UX internship summer '22
Hopes after graduation: A UX or data analysis job in a city
More about Madeline: I’m from Troy, Michigan. I like to run. I love reading fiction, philosophy, and self-help/psychology books.
Hattie Benedetti, Senior, Philosophy Track
Ask Hattie about: getting involved in research, general CogSci questions, coming from out-of-state.
Why CogSci: I found it to be the best major with the greatest number of course topics that sparked interest in me to keep learning and asking questions!
Experiences: Environment minor, writing an honors thesis and 2+ years of research on campus.
Hopes after graduation: A job helping people improve their quality of life through the use of their minds and the natural environment.
More about Hattie: Avid thrifter, nature lover, and enjoys exploring local parks on long walks with her friends!
Ethan Driscoll, Junior, Decision Track
Ask Ethan about: General CogSci questions, academic research, internships, grad school, careers in industry
Why CogSci: Super interested in learning about how and why we make decisions!
Academic Experiences: Psych & CogSci Double Major, Research Assistant at U-M, Harvard, & Northeastern, Behavioral Science at Fidelity Investments, UXR Consultant at Rem and Company
Hopes after graduation: Either user experience research or grad school for Psych PhD!
More about Ethan: Loves playing rec sports (volleyball, ultimate), Atlanta Falcons fan from MA :(, spends lots of time cooking
Nandini Valluru, Senior, Computation Track
What students can ask you about: Ask me about Cognitive Science in general, planning courses, UI/UX, and the internship search!
Why CogSci: I chose CogSci because I’m interested in so many different things, and CogSci combines my interests in psychology and technology.
Academic Experiences: Minor in Computer Science, UI/UX Internship, Adobe Student Ambassador, and Co-Captain of Michigan Mayuri
Hopes after graduation: Work as a UI/UX Designer and pursue a Masters!
More about Nandini: I spend most of my time reading and writing, but I also enjoy cooking and graphic design. I also love editing videos and motion graphics!
Shuchen Wen, Senior, Language Track
Ask Shuchen about: Getting into research, Writing an honor thesis, Life as an international/transfer student, Minoring in Translation studies, Grad school opportunities outside the US, Language and Literacy
Why CogSci: My main interest falls in how humans process natural languages, and what we can learn about this process from a computational approach. The Language Track of CogSci major seemed most fitting to my interest.
Experiences: CogSci major and Translation Studies minor, working as an RA at WordLab, Working on my thesis (it’s about statistical learning and language acquisition!), volunteering as a literacy tutor, part of the Honors Summer Fellowship’s 2022 Cohort.
Hopes after graduation: I’m hoping to go to grad school in Clinical Linguistics/Neurolinguistics or other related fields. I also plan to do a grand solo trip in Latin America right after graduation!
More about Shuchen - I love dancing (mostly Latin dance - Bachata, Salsa, etc)! Definitely shoot me an email if you want to go dancing together. I tend to overthink, but I try to stay as hopeful as I can :)
Alicia Haun, Senior, Decision Track
Ask Alicia about: Positive psych, informational interviews, networking, cogsci + business, general questions
Why CogSci: Because my favorite book is When Breath Becomes Air! Love how interdisciplinary cogsci is and how supportive weinberg is
Experiences: English minor, Sweetland Peer Writing Consultant, intern for the Center for Positive Organizations, intern for Riverbank Consulting Group
Hopes after graduation: Become a positive change agent informed by positive organizational psychology; settle down in Oregon or Washington
More about Alicia: Always baking for friends or doing crafts. Passionate collector of teas and books (favorite places in Ann Arbor: Nicola's Books, Dawn Treader, TeaHaus, Spice & Tea Merchants
Jackson Strause, Senior, Decision Track
Ask Jackson about: General Cog Sci Questions, Computer Science Minor, Cappo Sales and Marketing Track, Internships, and Abroad
Why CogSci:Interdisciplinary element helps to pull together all the parts of my different specialties.
Experiences:Cognitive Science Decision Track, Computer Science Miner, Stephen M. Ross Cappo Sales and Marketing Track, Sales Analyst Intern at Danone NA, Marketing Intern at Small Startup
Hopes after graduation:
Pursuing Sales and Marketing Roles within CPG world
More about Jackson: Music, IM and Casual Sports (Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Lacrosse), Running, Cooking
Michael Hicks, Seniors, Language Track
Ask Michael about: General CogSci questions, Double majoring, Internship opportunities, Pursuing grad school, Researching abroad
Why CogSci: Some of humanity’s most mysterious topics, such as the nature of the mind, consciousness, and symbolic thought, are best studied with the theory and methods of various disciplines.
Academic Experiences: BCN double major, First-Gen and transfer student, UROP, Honors Thesis, International internship in Germany
Hopes after graduation: Planning on obtaining a PhD in Cognitive Science and researching neurolinguistics
More About Michael: I was raised on a farm and I love nature, animals, and hiking as well as reading and writing poetry
Akshaya Ravikumar, Senior, Computation Track
Ask Akshaya about: general CogSci questions, questions on courses/course selection, dual majoring in computer science, switching majors/paths, getting involved with research, the intersection of social sciences and computation.
Why CogSci: I've always been interested in cognition and how it can be modeled and understood across disciplines and schools of thought.
Academic Experiences: CS + CogSci dual major, involved in research and writing an honors thesis, SWE internship experience.
Hopes after graduation: Continue research, work in SWE, and pursue either a Masters or PhD!
More about Akshaya: Thrifting, hiking, concerts, and increasingly into sneakers and streetwear. I'm also a wannabe reader and obnoxiously from MA.
Jill Charbonneau, Junior, Philosophy Track
Ask Jill about: general CogSci questions, the legal field and Cogsci, Philosophy and Cogsci, being a first generation college student
Why CogSci: I enjoy the diverse array of classes that I am able to take. There is a lot of academic freedom with this major.
Experiences: President of The Cognitive Science Community, sociology double major, DEI Chair for a pre-law honor society
Hopes after graduation: Law school to get involved with disability activism
More about Jill: Enjoys reading, taking care of her plants, and skateboarding
