2012-2013 Mentors
All incoming students are assigned a Mentor: enthusiastic sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have experienced Pitzer and all it has to offer, and want to help ease the transition to college life. First-year students live on the same floor as the other students in their mentor group along with their mentor. Mentors plan substance-free first-year programs, help their mentees pick their classes, deal with the college academic load, navigate the social scene, and make healthy choices in their lives.
Sophie Howard (Atherton, A211)
Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland
Major/Minor: Psychology & Africana Studies
Why I Am a Mentor: A simple answer – I love people!
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: It is an incredible place to spend four years, and the friendships you make will stay with you for life.
Extracurricular I am involved in: napping, playing volleyball, dancing, Garden Club
Hobbies/interests: Nap, meditate, yoga, play sports, hike, climb, and exercise
Gabriel Villarreal (Atherton, A312)
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Major/Minor: Political Studies (major), Sociology (minor)
Why I Am a Mentor: To make sure people feel safe and respected.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: Early lunch Thursdays, it's Pasta Bar!
Extracurricular I am involved in: Running, student senate, APAC, CLSA, dance
Hobbies/interests: Running and playing guitar
Lily Rubin (Atherton, A402)
Hometown: Petaluma, CA
Major/Minor:
Why I Am a Mentor: Human biology & cross-cultural health and healing, Spanish
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: I want to get to know the incoming students and make their transition as easy/happy as possible.
Extracurricular I am involved in: Theater, knitting, rowing, and capoeira
Hobbies/interests: Reading, knitting, talking, playing ukulele, playing tetris, coloring, bakng, going camping, drink tea, and doing yoga
Alexander "Alex" Rosario (North Sanborn, B104)
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major/Minor: Undecided
Why I Am a Mentor: To help incoming first-years have a less stressful transition.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: The people here are amazing and the relationships formed here are forever.
Extracurricular I am involved in: Work in the Admissions Office.
Hobbies/interests: Reading, exercising, traveling, outdoor activities
Elissa Rowe (Lead Mentor) (North Sanborn, B205)
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Major/Minor: Media Studies (electronic and digital media), Dance
Why I Am a Mentor: To help first-years truly understand and love Pitzer like I do.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: Always expect a smile and a helping hand from anyone on campus.
Extracurricular I am involved in: Dance, theater, art, singing, and working with children.
Hobbies/interests: Reading, singing, eating, sleeping, watching films, and dance
Lauren Phipps (North Sanborn, B302)
Hometown: Berkeley, CA
Major/Minor: Undecided (likely Environmental Analysis)
Why I Am a Mentor: To welcome, support, and connect with new members of the Pitzer community.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: There really is something for everyone here, even if you don't know what it is yet!
Extracurricular I am involved in: Garden Club & Cooking Club
Hobbies/interests: Hiking, cooking, reading, watching movies, gardening
Christopher "Kip" White (Lead Mentor) (North Sanborn, B303)
Hometown: Winnetka, IL
Major/Minor: History
Why I Am a Mentor: I try not to be what's most
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: You won't meet anyone not worth befriending.
Extracurricular I am involved in: Camp AP, drums, tutoring, KSPC
Hobbies/interests: Reading, playing drums, and volunteering
Taylor Caldwell (East Sanborn, C108)
Hometown: Mercer Island, WA
Major/Minor: Psychology
Why I Am a Mentor: I hope to make the college transition for my mentees as easy and fun as it was for me.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: The salads and sandwiches at the Grove House are AMAZING! Don't wait until second semester to try it out like I did!
Extracurricular I am involved in: Jumpstart, Relay for Life (committee member and team captain), Active Minds, and Psychology Club.
Hobbies/interests: asdf
Daniel "Danny" Feinberg (Lead Mentor & Transfer Mentor) (East Sanborn, C124)
Hometown: Pacific Palisades, CA
Major/Minor: Psychology
Why I Am a Mentor: As a transfer it can be difficult to integrate into the community at Pitzer. When I transferred as a sophomore, I had a wonderful mentor who really helped me get connected. She was such a big help to me that I wanted to do the same for others who followed.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: You're insanely fortunate to be a student at this school! Don't forget it.
Extracurricular I am involved in: I am involved in: I served as the executive editor of the inaugural issue (published last semester) of Encephalon: The Pitzer College Student Journal of Psychology; This is my second year as a student member of the Psychology Field Group (I meet regularly with faculty to discuss governance of the major and other issues that come up in the Field Group); This is my third year working as a research assistant in the Claremont Infant Study Center; this is my fourth semester returning as a new student mentor and third semester as a transfer student mentor!
Hobbies/interests: Play at the Motley (the student-run café at Scripps) with my band, Proper Portions.
Morgan Parker-Klimpel (East Sanborn, C123)
Hometown: Pittstown, NJ
Major/Minor: Psychology (major), & Spanish (minor)
Why I Am a Mentor: To make the transition to college for new students easier.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: The omelets at breakfast are incredible.
Extracurricular I am involved in: Jumpstart!
Hobbies/interests: Baking and anything with my friends.
Anneke "Annie" Brown (East Sanborn, C206)
Hometown: Antwerp, Belgium/Minneapolis, MN
Major/Minor: Art
Why I Am a Mentor: Love meeting new people and love Pitzer and the rest of the Claremont schools!
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: Jamba Juice has a secret menu! Alternatively, go make your own smoothie at breakfast!
Extracurricular I am involved in: Working at the costume department at Pomona
Hobbies/interests: Eating Ben & Jerry's, being with my family, seeing a movie, painting, drawing, sewing and eating
Dahnya "Dani" Hernandez-Roach (East Sanborn, C207)
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Major/Minor: Digital Art and Design (Self-created major) and Art History (Minor)
Why I Am a Mentor: The transition to college can be really difficult and everyone should have someone who's been through it recently.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: The Grove House and the Shakedown Café have delicious food!
Extracurricular I am involved in: Muay Thai, Dance
Hobbies/interests: Reading, watching TV on Netflix, going to concerts, comedy shows and rock climbing
Mitchell Felton (East Sanborn, C222)
Hometown: Fresno, CA & Hong Kong
Major/Minor: Asian Studies, Economics and Chinese (minors)
Why I Am a Mentor: I want to help freshman with their adjustments
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: The amazing opportunities available to students
Extracurricular I am involved in: Circle K, APAC, Student Investment Committee
Hobbies/interests: Watch TV, drive, hang out with friends, and explore LA
Brian Cohn (East Sanborn, C309)
Hometown: Manhattan Beach, CA
Major/Minor: Human Biology
Why I Am a Mentor: To lend a hand to my peers.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: The community will trust and support what you are most passionate about.
Extracurricular I am involved in: Licensed disaster service worker for the state of California, varsity track and field athlete, president of the nonprofit Teach Summit International.
Hobbies/interests: Writing songs on guitar, singing and hiking.
Rachel Aronoff (East Sanborn, C324)
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Major/Minor: Undecided!
Why I Am a Mentor: I want you to have an automatic friend, someone who you can talk to and laugh with and I think I can be that person.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: The mailroom closes at 5pm and is not open on the weekend.
Extracurricular I am involved in: Dancing, KSPC radio DJ, theater things, baking, and crafting.
Hobbies/interests: Dancing, playing music, exploring, and lounging outside.
Christopher "Chris" Leon (East Sanborn, C327)
Hometown: Cypress, CA
Major/Minor: Linguistics
Why I Am a Mentor: Because I love listening and relating to others!
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: You can really do whatever you'd like to!
Extracurricular I am involved in: Playing in a student band, camping on Mt. Baldy.
Hobbies/interests: Playing guitar, lying on the Mounds, biking to the Claremont Wilderness Park.
Jose Cortez (Pitzer Hall, D203)
Hometown: Chino, CA
Major/Minor: Neuroscience
Why I Am a Mentor: I love to help people out so I hope that I can serve as a resource for the incoming freshman class.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: Your professors are an amazing resource for whatever you need.
Extracurricular I am involved in: Medical Brigades, research, and hospital volunteer.
Hobbies/interests: Listening to music, going to concerts, exploring new cities, and enjoying fine dining.
Sara Garcia-Dehbozorgi (Pitzer Hall, D304)
Hometown: Upland, CA
Major/Minor: Biology
Why I Am a Mentor: To support new students and get them excited about the 5Cs.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: It has the best food an d the Grove House is delicious!
Extracurricular I am involved in: Work in vaccine lab and volunteer for animal rescue.
Hobbies/interests: Bake, sing, dance, listen to music, and cook!
Vanessa Tam (Lead Mentor) (Pitzer Hall, D305)
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Major/Minor: Organizational Studies (Major), Economics (Minor)
Why I Am a Mentor: I want every new student to have a great and memorable experience in their first year of college. I want them to be able to call Pitzer their second home. Finally, I want them to know that there will always be someone to support and encourage them.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: The address: 1050 North Mills Ave. Claremont, CA 91711; Grove House cookies are AMAZING!
Extracurricular I am involved in: APAC, PAct
Hobbies/interests: Sleep, tanning, playing with animals, playing basketball, dancing, exercising, eating, cooking, and baking!
Ari Saperstein (Pitzer Hall, D404)
Hometown: Washington, DC
Major/Minor: Undecided (possibly Anthropology and Art History?)
Why I Am a Mentor: I want everyone to have a great time at Pitzer!
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: You can hike and surf in the same day.
Extracurricular I am involved in: DJ at KSPC radio.
Hobbies/interests: Sleeping, hiking, rock climbing, and playing tennis.
Emma Hanashiro (First-year International Mentor) (Phase II, R103)
Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Major/Minor: Anthropology & English
Why I Am a Mentor: It is fun meeting (and helping) new people!
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: Sometimes jumping without looking is worthwhile and educational – and Pitzer is the best place to jump.
Extracurricular I am involved in: MAGE (Manga, Anime, Gaming and Entertainment) Club
Hobbies/interests: Playing music, sleeping, and drawing manga
Hyemin Lee (International/Exchange Student Mentor) (Off-campus)
Hometown: Anyang, Korea
Major/Minor: Psychology (Major) & Media Studies (Minor)
Why I Am a Mentor: To help international students to enjoy Pitzer life as happy as possible.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: Pitzer brunch omelet is amazing.
Extracurricular I am involved in: Psychology Club
Hobbies/interests: Sleeping, karaoke, watching TV and movies.
Kayla Friedman-Barb (International/Exchange Student Mentor) (Mead, Y203)
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major/Minor: Studio Art and Media Studies
Why I Am a Mentor: I enjoy meeting new people and learning about different cultures.
One thing every resident should know about Pitzer: Everything is possible!
Extracurricular I am involved in: PAct, Otherside Magazine, DIY crafts
Hobbies/interests: Dancing, cooking, DIY crafts, pilates, and watching reality TV