Get to know the First-Year Exploratory Studies (FYES) peer mentors! They're here to answer your questions about FYES, courses, majors, Philadelphia, and all that Drexel has to offer! You can also learn more about the program and how to get involved on the Peer Mentoring page.

Renee Amos (she/her/hers)

Major: Custom-Designed Major in Computational Chemistry and Visual Communication

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
Moving into an apartment with my roommates after a freshman year online and experiencing studio classes in person for the first time, as well as attending my first FYES event (Schuylkill River boat ride)!

Advice to FYES students:
Take your time in figuring out what you want out of your college experience! Your path through college is unique and is yours to shape. Try not to rush your decision process. Explore the course catalog, test-drive courses in different majors (especially those you weren’t exposed to in high school but think you might like), reflect on what you enjoy and/or what comes naturally to you, and let go of any external pressures influencing your major decision. Choosing a major is also less rigid than it seems, and you’ll likely have room for exploration beyond your freshman year.

Mahadhi Balaji (she/her)

Major: Human Genetics

Hometown: Marlboro, NJ

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
My favorite part of the FYES experience was the friendships I made from the FYES classes. Having a group of people who are adjusting to college along with you made my experience so much happier. I learned a lot through the program, and I am excited to take part in it as a mentor this year!

Advice to FYES students:
Interact and actively participate in the program! Go to events, talk to your classmates and ask questions. FYES is here to support you throughout your experience at Drexel, so I would implore you to not be shy and use the resources available through the program.

Omisha Chabria

Brionne Cloude (she/her)

Major: Public Health

Hometown: Frederick, MD

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
My favorite FYES experience is getting a sense of community within the program. Meeting other FYES students makes you feel like you’re not alone, especially when you’re unsure of your major and it’s your first year in college.

Advice to FYES students:
It’s okay to take your time to figure things out for yourself. Starting college is a big change and it takes time to fully adjust. You shouldn’t feel like you need to decide on your major right away. Take this opportunity to take the classes you think you might be interested in and go from there. Chances are you’ll find something you love.

Serah Coskun (she/her/hers)

Major: Undeclared, exploring Biological Sciences

Hometown: Voorhees, NJ

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
My favorite memory with FYES is when we went to the Haunted Penitentiary during Halloween and when we had a game night on a Friday and just played games and really got to know one another.

Advice to FYES students:
My advice to FYES students would be to really take advantage of what Drexel has to offer.
There are a lot of great programs and tutoring centers they offer which can really benefit you overall. I would also advise FYES students to take this time to explore different majors and to see what really fits them. Do not hold back on asking questions and try to step out of your safe bubble occasionally and try something different.

Rina Damico (she/her/hers)

Major: Co-major in Marketing and International Business

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
I first loved meeting my advisors and peer mentors on Accepted Students Day. Everyone made a lasting impression, which I feel is very important. Another favorite memory was when we attended The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University during Welcome Week. It gave me an opportunity to meet other classmates in the program and I got to know them better.

Advice to FYES students:
My advice to incoming or current FYES students would be to take advantage of all the resources that are offered to you. I would recommend everyone to ask questions and to listen to any advice that is given. It is important to participate in all class activities in order to understand yourself better and the direction in which you plan to follow.

Wendy Dong

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Hobbies: Reading, arts and crafts, trying different foods

Future major, if chosen: Still deciding

What made you choose Drexel?
There were multiple reasons why I chose Drexel. One of them is because of my family and the other is for the co-ops. Knowing that the FYE program existed was another reason why I chose Drexel.

What made you choose FYES?
As someone unsure of what major to pursue, the FYE program and the staff members gave me a head start into exploring the things out there.

Lillian Fenzil (she/her)

Major: Custom Designed Major

Hometown: Collegeville, PA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
Taking a variety of classes to find certain elements that I love in order to create my major!

Advice to FYES students:
Don’t feel pressured to figure out what you want to do yet. Sometimes it’s discouraging to watch everyone around you seem so certain on the path they’re taking while it feels like you are moving through school aimlessly. Use this time to explore everything and anything through classes, extracurriculars, and events to find what you enjoy the most. Don’t allow the overwhelming stress of finding a major drag you down from savoring your college experience.

Briana Florent

Hometown: Born in St. Croix, but raised in St. Lucia and Brooklyn, NY

Future major, if chosen: General studies with minors in Sports Coaching Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Engineering Management and Engineering Leadership, with a possibility of adding a 5th

What made you choose Drexel?
I chose Drexel because it provided the best opportunity for me academically, athletically, and professionally (co-ops). Drexel felt like home from my initial visit; it was hard for my family and I to envision me elsewhere.

What made you choose FYES?
To be honest, I initially did not choose FYES. I would like to think that FYES chose me; I applied for a specific major but was instead accepted into FYES. At first, I was frustrated because I thought I knew my major but quickly realized I was wrong. Now looking back, I am glad I was exposed to FYES because I am not forced to stick to a major out of obligation and have found a way to study most of my interests while having fun doing it.

Elena Gaver (she/her/hers)

Major: Sociology

Hometown: Born in Kansk, Russia but raised in New Orleans, LA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
Getting to meet the diverse student body within the Drexel community. I have made some great friends from all over.

Advice for FYES students:
Take the time to really allow yourself to discover what makes you happy, whether that be academically or not, find something that makes you happy. Also, stay on top of your work, whether you like the class or not, you might always learn something new that might be an inspiration for you.

Raymond Gonzalez

Jyoti Gupta

Hometown: Tyson’s Corner, Virginia

Hobbies: Fencing, dancing, writing

Future major, if chosen: Business Analytics and Finance

What made you choose Drexel?
Co-Op and the FYES program

What made you choose FYES?
I was unsure of my major and I wanted the ability to experience different majors without making a commitment.

Jahmir Handy

Forrest Harding (he/him/his)

Major: Management Information Systems

Hometown: West Deptford, NJ

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
My favorite FYES experience would have to be the Phillies game the first week of my first year. It was a fun and was a great experience to interact with and connect with some of the peer mentors. Getting to talk with peer mentors in a much more open environment really eased any nerves I had going into the new school year.

Advice to FYES students:
Ask questions. You won’t know everything when you come in your first year. That’s why you’re in the FYES program. Ask everyone around you what interested them about their major or career fields. Figure out if anything they say interests you and try it out. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try a new class or switch up your interests. FYES is a place to try new things with very little pressure on you. Everyone in FYES wants you to find what interests you the most, and the advisors and peer mentors are willing to help you with anything.

Cristina Labbe

Jafaru Levere

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Hobbies: Watching Standup comedy YouTube shorts, binge watching critically acclaimed television, journaling, dancing

Future major, if chosen: Custom-Designed Major - Administrative Mental Health Intervention

What made you choose Drexel?
I actually chose Drexel for First Year Exploratory Studies and the Custom Designed program. I was aware of my strengths academically, but nebulous on what direction I wanted to go in considering what Drexel had to offer. I was allured by the opportunity to both explore and hone my academic interests at the same time. It helped that I could stay close to home and that my twin also goes here (hi Ajani).

What made you choose FYES?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to take a stake in creating accessible mental health resources. But with such a broad scope, I was lost on how to channel my interests into a singular major. So, I self-directed my learning through the First Year Exploratory Studies program, granting myself the time and academic mobility to shape how I wish to serve this ambition. Doing so has given me critical knowledge of fields like public health and sociology I may have never otherwise explored to learn about what role I can play in addressing the systemic ramifications of mental health inequity, particularly within black communities.

Mariama Ly (she/her)

Major: Health Sciences

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
My favorite FYES experience is when a group of panelists spoke in our UNIV 101 class; it was so insightful and motivated me to keep striving for greatness.

Advice to FYES students:
My advice is to always be kind to yourself. You work so hard and deserve the very best. School can get hard but make sure to have a method of organizing your assignments whether it be a planner or a digital calendar. Finally, take out some time for yourself. School can get hectic, but don't forget that you have a life outside of it. Enjoy your years at Drexel!

Matt Magliocco

Major: English (Literary Studies)

Hometown: Cape May, NJ

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
One of my favorite memories here at Drexel has been attending some of our sports games. I think at a school like Drexel where the campus is in the hustle and bustle of the city it's nice to attend a school event where you can feel the school spirit. It also allows you to get to know your peers and meet new people!

Advice to FYES students:
My advice to incoming FYES students is to embrace college and all the changes that come with it. Everyone feels nervous and out of their depth at some point during their college experience—and that's okay! You're allowed to make mistakes and feel overwhelmed. Take everything one step at a time and go at a pace you're comfortable with. In due time you'll get into the groove of college life and discover things about yourself that you never knew.

Neha Menon

Hometown: North Brunswick, New Jersey

Hobbies: Dancing, singing, reading novels, and traveling

Future major, if chosen: Biomedical Engineering

What made you choose Drexel?
I chose Drexel University because I was interested in the Co-Op program that integrated with my chosen major. I was also interested in the research opportunities that were available at Drexel.

What made you choose FYES?
The FYES Program helped me align my interests and passions together to pursue my major and helped me find a major that was truly right for me.

Inara Pirani (she/her/hers)

Major: Undeclared, exploring Finance, Accounting and Math

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
Visiting the Academy of Natural Sciences during Welcome Week!

Advice to FYES students:
Remember that college is a big adjustment! You don't have to push yourself to do everything your first quarter. It's ok to be worried, scared or homesick. You'll make mistakes during your first year, and that's normal. You're not alone in college and you should never feel that way. Use the resources of the FYE program - you have wonderful staff and faculty who are so friendly and eager to help. They will be a great support system for you.

McKayla Procopio

Major: Biological Sciences, minoring in astrophysics

Hometown: Cherry Hill, NJ

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
One of my favorite memories is going to the Franklin Institute during Welcome Week. I was with a small group of new friends, and it was a unique way to hang out and get to know each other!

Advice to FYES students:
Being on the fence about what you want to study can be frightening at times, but that’s completely okay! The FYES mentors are always here to listen. If you ever want to bounce major or career ideas off of us or just need someone who will listen, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Emma Sirkin

Divine Hannah Thomas

Hometown: Doha, Qatar

Hobbies: Watching crime documentaries and trying new things.

Future major, if chosen: Biomedical engineering

What made you choose Drexel?
It is almost as though Drexel selected me. As an international student, I did not perform adequate research on many of the universities to which I applied. When I was accepted to Drexel University, the co-op system and the FYES program influenced my decision. The fact that Philadelphia is a center for cell and gene therapy was an added bonus.

What made you choose FYES? I came into Drexel wanting to major in biology but there were certain aspects of the major that did not appeal to me it was then suggested by my admissions advisor from Drexel to join the FYES program, so that I could experience different majors that are in same sphere as Biology. FYES helped me figure out what major suited my interests.

Adriana Vasquez (she/her)

Major: Computer Science

Hometown: Woodbridge, VA

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
My favorite FYE experience was when the program went to the Harry Potter Experience at the Franklin Institute. I made a lot of new friends through the trip as we bonded over the sets and costumes of a movie series we all love.

Advice to FYES students:
My best advice would be to not let others’ opinions stop you from trying something new. It doesn’t matter what others think if you are having fun and breaking out of your comfort zone. So, try the silent disco, go to the urban karaoke — just have fun and make the most out of your college experience.

Ella Weinstein

Hometown: Fort Lee, NJ

Hobbies: Tennis, reading, hanging with friends, exploring and eating!

Future major, if chosen: Behavioral Economics, Business, and Organizations

What made you choose Drexel?
Co-op and the FYES Program!

What made you choose FYES?
In high school, I never truly felt like I had the chance to explore potential career interests outside of the core curriculum. I’m someone who likes to try everything before making commitments, so finding out about the FYES Program gave me the perfect opportunity to do just that before fully declaring my major.

Erin White (she/her/hers)

Major: History

Hometown: Waxhaw, NC

Favorite FYES or Drexel memory/experience:
One of my favorite memories was a trivia event that my FYES class held. Everyone was super competitive, and we all wanted to win. That was the first time people in the class really began talking to each other and getting to know one another. I still talk to some of those classmates to this day.

Advice to FYES students:
It’s all right to not know exactly what you want to do in the future. FYES gives you the time and opportunity to explore majors and possible career paths, so use it to your advantage. Don’t be afraid to take different courses to see what you like best and if you ever have any questions, the mentors and advisors will help you throughout your FYES experience.