Peer Counseling
What Is Peer Counseling?
Peer Counselors (PCs) provide empathic, active listening to fellow students who want to talk about everyday aspects of the student experience (e.g. stress, anxiety, sadness, relationship concerns, academic struggles, etc.). PCs also provide outreach on campus to promote a culture of mental wellness at Drexel.
The PC team is trained by the Counseling Center, but peer counseling is not a substitute for therapy. If you are in crisis, please contact the on-call counselor at 215.416.3337. If you need to speak to a professional counselor about a non-urgent matter, please contact the Counseling Center at counsel@drexel.edu or 215.895.1415.
How Do I Schedule a Time to Meet with a Peer Counselor?
Students have the option to schedule in person or via a video platform, and various times are available throughout the week. The peer counseling offices are in the basement of the Rush building (B10 and B11). You can see our team members below and schedule a conversation.
Meet the Peer Counselors
Ahmad McClarin
Hello! My name is Ahmad (he/him), and I am a fourth-year Pre-Medical Psychology Major with a Biology Minor. I grew up in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, so I have always been quite familiar with the Philadelphia area. Some of my favorite hobbies are swimming, camping, hiking, cooking, volunteering, and singing! Outside of my hobbies, the rest of my time is dedicated to my courses, work as a Behavioral Health Technician, and two research positions here at Drexel. Learning to balance Drexel's rigorous courseloads with your everyday life can was definitely a struggle for me as a neurodivergent. However, through my struggles, I developed strategies and plans that worked to keep me motivated throughout my times of difficulty. This learning experience is ultimately what motivated me become a Peer Counselor. My goal is to share the knowledge that I collected throughout my academic career in hopes that it will help others navigate through their challenges!
Anaya Watkis
Hi! My name is Anaya Watkis (she/her). I'm a fourth-year health services administration major with a focus on maternal health. I love to travel and find new food spots; I'm a big history buff and an even bigger anime nerd. I'm excited to be a part of a program that's able to help other students.
Arushi Thakur
Hi everyone! My name is Arushi Thakur (she/her), and I am a fourth-year psychology major. In my free time, I love to read, write, and try new foods. As a Peer Counselor, I hope to create an open environment for my peers to reach out about anything. I’m here to listen and support in any way I can!
Helen Truong
Hello! My name is Helen (she/her), I’m a 3rd year student majoring in Biology and I was born in Saigon Vietnam. In my free time, I like hanging out with friends, trying new restaurants around Philly, and taking photos with my film camera! As a Peer Counselor, I hope to be someone that student can talk to, feel heard and supported in our community.
Isabelle Levin
My name is Isabelle Levin (she/her) and I'm a third-year psychology major minoring in business administration! I have always been passionate about mental health and creating spaces where people feel seen and supported. I believe that as college students, looking after mental health is crucial in becoming your best self and I'm so excited to be able to advocate for that in this role. I truly enjoy listening to other people's stories and learning about their experiences. In my free time I love to go for walks, practice yoga, read, learn about true crime, and watch documentaries!
Jasmyn Rolison
Hey, y'all! My name is Jasmyn (she/her), and I'm a senior Custom-Designed Major student, with my major being called "Neuropsychosocial Studies!" I'm from both the Washington D.C. area and Miami, and besides English, I'm a native Spanish speaker. As a huge nature lover, I spend a lot of my free time outdoors—simply just touching grass. If not doing that, then I'm likely at the gym, thrifting, or playing the guitar! As a Peer Counselor, I deeply cherish creating a comforting space where every peer feels supported, encouraged, and truly valued.
Kait Forrester
Hi there! My name is Kait Forrester, I use she/her pronouns, and I’m a senior majoring in human development and counseling with minors in psychology and fine arts. I’m a proud local community college graduate and transfer student here at Drexel. I’m originally from South Carolina but have been happy to call Philly my home for the past four years! In my free time, I love hiking, art-making, reading, baking cakes, and watching movies. I identify as someone who has lifelong lived experience with mental health, and I hope to utilize this to help others in my role as a Peer Counselor by fostering a therapeutic environment for fellow students, from all walks of life, that makes them feel supported and heard!
Lawrence Safranek
Hello! My name is Lawrence and I’m a fourth-year Psychology major. I’m a transfer student originally from NYC but have come to love living in Philadelphia. I originally studied Electrical Engineering, but after spending time in the workforce, I realized that psychology and mental health were where my interests and passions truly lie. I’m a big believer in Stoicism and the power of face-to-face conversation, especially as the world becomes increasingly online. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, running, and playing Magic: The Gathering. I’m excited to be a Peer Counselor and help create a space where people feel comfortable being themselves and know they’re being heard.
Macie Perry
Hi! My name is Macie Perry (she/her), and I’m so excited to start my third year as a Peer Counselor. I’m a senior psychology major with a minor in theatre. In my free time, you can find me thrifting, doing theatre, visiting museums and restaurants in the city, enjoying the outdoors, or watching Studio Ghibli movies. In my conversations with peers, I value authenticity, autonomy, curiosity, and open-mindedness. I am a feminist, a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and a self-advocate for my own mental health journey. I’m excited to meet with peers and continue the bigger conversation about mental health awareness on campus!
Marielle Flora Foufouo
My name is Marielle Flora Foufouo (she/her/hers). I usually go by Flora, but Marielle is perfectly fine too! I am a rising Pre-Junior in the BS/MS program in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Robotics and Automation. I am originally from Cameroon, where I was born and raised, so I am fluent in both French and English. Outside of academics, I love cooking, singing, listening to music, reading, watching movies, and spending quality time with my family. While I enjoy connecting with others, I am also quite introverted at times and value quiet, meaningful moments. I am truly excited to step into this peer counselor role. My goal is to create a safe space where people feel comfortable expressing their emotions. I believe peer counseling is not just about navigating difficult moments; it's also about celebrating joy and success. I want to help everyone around me wear genuine smiles and carry a little less stress.
Mia McKinney
Hello! My name is Mia (she/her) and I’m a fourth-year psychology major with minors in biology and neuroscience! I love thrifting, concerts, reading, and spending any time outside. I think it’s so important to have a safe, inclusive space to prioritize meaningful connections and mental health, especially at a school like Drexel. I really look forward to lending an ear to anyone who needs it!
Mili Trivedi
Hi, my name is Mili! I am entering my fourth year as a human development and counseling major with a minor in sociology! I am originally from Dallas, but I moved to Philly for school, and I love the city! I also love to cook, play tennis, travel, and spend time with family and friends. I am incredibly excited to be a Peer Counselor as mental health is my biggest passion, and I want to help build a safe and inclusive environment for my peers at Drexel.
Molly Roe
Hi! I'm Molly Roe (she/her), a fifth-year psychology major with a minor in business administration. I love reading, music, yoga, nature, and animals. In my free time, I'm usually meditating, outside, or crocheting. As a Peer Counselor, I hope to help create a safe and welcoming environment for my peers to feel supported, seen, and heard. Everyone deserves to feel cared for, especially when it comes to their mental health.
Noelle Lilan
Hey! I'm Noelle Lilan (she/her), a fifth-year student majoring in environmental engineering. My pronouns are she/her. I am an international student from Kenya. I speak English and Kiswahili. I am really interested in nature and the environment in general. I enjoy taking long walks, mostly along the Schuylkill River. I am a coffee and tea enthusiast. I became a Peer Counselor mostly to just offer support anyone who might need someone to just listen to them.
Sadye Gibson
My name is Sadye Gibson, I am a 3rd year psychology major here at Drexel with a business administration minor. My goal within this role is to create a space where students can feel seen, heard, and supported. University is a fast-paced stressful period for many students, along with personal and social struggles mental health is something that needs active support. Keeping a healthy mentality can often get lost on the list of priorities, yet it is crucial for success. I have always enjoyed listening and am excited to hear you! In my free time I enjoy thrifting, yoga, hiking, and connecting with others.
Sahasra Katikareddy
Hi! My name is Sahasra Katikareddy (she/her), and I am a second-year Psychology major on the pre-medical track with a certificate in Health and Medical Humanities. I am from Austin, Texas, and in my free time I enjoy staying active, baking, going to concerts, and trying new cafes. I understand how hard it can be to talk about your struggles, so it is my goal to create a safe, kind, and inclusive environment as a Peer Counselor where everyone can feel heard and supported.
Shail Bhalla
Hi! My name is Shail Bhalla (he/him), and I am a third-year Psychology major with a minor in business administration. I'm from Montgomery, New Jersey, and in my free time, I love playing piano, watching movies, hanging out with my friends, and going hiking. I believe in the power of listening and being present with someone. I understand that life's challenges are hard to go through alone, which is why I became a peer counselor. I'm excited to listen and learn, problem-solve, and understand with you. I'm excited to meet with my peers and help the community as much as I can!
Shaniya Golden-Riddle
Hi everyone! My name is Shaniya (she/her), and I am a fourth-year majoring in communications with a concentration in media studies and a double minor in psychology and sociology. I am from North Jersey and love trying new restaurants, binge-watching shows, listening to music, and watching basketball. I value the importance of mental health, and as a Peer Counselor, I hope to be able to assist, listen, and make you feel heard and validated in a warm, welcoming environment!
Tim Lao
Hi! I’m Tim Lao (he/him). I’m a Senior psychology and public health major. For fun, I enjoy cooking, baking, creative writing, listening to music, and spending time with family + friends! I run by a "living is beautiful" philosophy, and I understand feeling emotions, small or large, throughout the process is a requirement. I have a deep respect for emotions and am passionate about fostering positive mental-emotional health in myself and being a cheerleader for others to do the same. I became a Peer Counselor to lend an ear to those who want someone to listen, and to connect with my community.
Zoya Rizvi
Hi! I’m Zoya (she/her), a pre-junior majoring in psychology with minors in marketing and criminal justice. I’m driven to create an environment where people can be themselves and share things without judgment. As a Peer Counselor, I’m here to support you whether you’re going through something tough or just want to share something exciting. Outside of class, I love writing, drawing, singing, and binge-watching Friends or Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I’m really looking forward to connecting with you!