Peer Advisers

Academic Advising

Peer advisers are here to assist you in ensuring you are prepared for your advising meeting with your faculty adviser(s). Peer advisers are trained to help you:

Navigate the student portal
Locate resources that assist in helping understand graduation requirements
Understand academic policies and procedures
Consider your interests and passions as they relate to major and career exploration
Prepare for registration
And more!

Meet Your Peer Advisers!

Mandukai Alimaa

Email: mxalim18@smumn.edu
Major: Finance and Business Intelligence
Hometown: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Favorite hobby: Swimming
Favorite place to study on campus: In my room
I am a peer adviser because: I know things get really stressful sometimes, and I want to make it less stressful for my peers.

Mariah Bell

Email: mxbell16@smumn.edu
Major: Biology Pre-PT, Psychology Minor
Hometown: Chatfield, Minn.
Favorite hobby: Jet skiing
Favorite place to study on campus: Library
I am a peer adviser because: I want to help my fellow peers with specific needs based on experiences and knowledge I have gained so far at Saint Mary’s.

Jasmine Benavidez

hEmail: jxbena17@smumn.edu
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wis.
Favorite hobby: I enjoy writing and making pop-up cards for people’s birthdays or holidays. I also enjoy going to the movies and collecting movie tickets.
Favorite place to study on campus: The study box in the lower level of the library. I enjoy the quietness and isolation from other people so I can concentrate better. I recommend this study space for people who get easily distracted, like myself.
I am a peer adviser because: Because I am an FGI scholar, I wanted to give back to the FGI community and interacting with new people from the Cardinal Success program. I enjoy assisting people as much as I can, and if I can’t help them directly, I do my best to find other people who can provide the services they need.

Crystal Chavez

Email: cxchav16@smumn.edu
Major: Elementary Education with a Spanish endorsement
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Favorite hobby: Listening to music and watching crime documentaries.
Favorite place to study on campus: FGI
I am a peer adviser because: I know it is hard to figure out what you need to do in your major. Thankfully, I had help, and I want to do the same and help others who were in my position.

Danielle Harris

Email: drharr17@smumn.edu
Major: Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice
Hometown: St. Paul, Minn.
Favorite hobby: Paddle boarding
Favorite place to study on campus: HC19 with a peer learning assistant!
I am a peer adviser because: I love to help others. I have learned a lot working for the Student Success Center and would love to share what I have learned.

Margarita Lopez

Email: mxlope14@smumn.edu
Major: Biology: Pre-physician Assistant Studies and Spanish
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Favorite hobby: Dancing
Favorite place to study on campus: FGI or Hillside
I am a peer adviser because: I want to be a source of reference for students, especially first-year students.

Edgar Medina

Email: exmedi16@smumn.edu
Major: Finance
Hometown: Bloomington, Minn.
Favorite hobby: Playing video games
Favorite place to study: HC19
I am a peer adviser because: I want to make sure everyone is happy with their schedule and on the right track.

Enitan Onayiga

Email: etonay17@smumn.edu
Major: Criminal Justice and Psychology
Hometown: Saint Paul, Minn.
Favorite hobby: Watching Netflix shows
Favorite place to study: The basement of the library
I am a peer adviser because: Not only I am helping others, but I am also learning from those I am helping.

Denise Quizhpi

eEmail: dxquiz16@smumn.edu
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn.
Favorite hobby: Reading
Favorite place to study on campus: FGI classroom
I am a peer adviser because: I want to support students in increasing their skillset and show them the different resources available to them on campus.

Yani Yakob

Email: aayako17@smumn.edu
Major: Psychology and Biology
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn.
Favorite hobby: Reading
Favorite place to study on campus: President’s Lounge
I am a peer adviser because: I love helping students, and it is very rewarding to see them succeed.