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Undergraduate Programs

Engineering Peer Advising Program

The Engineering Peer Advising program exists to provide additional information and support to our first-year and transfer engineering students as they learn the ropes at Santa Clara University and the School of Engineering.

Fifteen of the 2024-2025 Peer Advisors Grouped Together

A staff of sixteen returning engineering students serve as Peer Advisors who are trained and readily available to assist new students in understanding their academic requirements (both for the Core and their majors), as well as the many campus resources and engineering opportunities that are available to them.

Each new student is assigned a Peer Advisor in their department for individual mentoring and advising throughout their first year. Peer Advisors reach out to their students during the year to connect and provide assistance as needed. Students are also encouraged to contact their assigned Peer Advisor with any questions they may have about their requirements, the School of Engineering, or Santa Clara University. The Peer Advising resource exists as a supplement to students' faculty advisors, with whom new students will interact regularly as well.

If you have any questions about the program or your assigned Peer Advisor, please contact jchen21@scu.edu 


Mandatory Fall and Spring Advising Sessions

All new engineering students (first-years and new transfers) are required to meet with their faculty advisor in the fall and spring mandatory advising periods prior to course registration. To prepare for these faculty meetings, all first-year and new transfer engineering students must participate in advising sessions, facilitated by our Engineering Peer Advisors. During these sessions, Peer Advisors will assist students in identifying courses for their next quarter's schedule and will help acquaint them with the advising and course planning resources available to students. Upon completion of a session, Peer Advisors will sign a completed advising form for students to take to their faculty advisor meeting. Your assigned faculty advisor can be found on Workday. Students who do not complete the Mandatory Advising processes will have a hold on their record, preventing them from registering for courses until it is completed.

The fall quarter mandatory advising period takes place from October 28 - November 8. To prepare for these faculty meetings, new students must attend one group academic advising session, facilitated by our Engineering Peer Advisors. There are several sessions scheduled between October 21 - November 1. We strongly encourage students to choose a session led by your assigned Peer Advisor, though students may register for any of the listed sessions regardless of major if needed. Session registration will open in the Fall Quarter. 

Peer Advising Events

Be on the lookout for information about several events each quarter tailored towards first-year and new transfer students hosted by Peer Advisors. Examples of typical events include:

  • Academic Success Workshops
  • Professional Development Workshops (research opportunities, career fair/resume prep)
  • Social Events
  • Study Abroad Info Sessions


Meet Our Engineering Peer Advisors!

Our peer advisors are returning undergraduate students representing many of the degree programs in the School of Engineering. Each Peer Advisor is currently an upper division student who is heavily involved at the School of Engineering, through research and student organizations. They are eager to assist our new students and share their knowledge of Santa Clara University academic requirements, campus resources, and engineering opportunities!

2024-2025 Peer Advising Staff

Jerry Chen

Jerry Chen

LEAD PEER ADVISOR
Major: Computer Science and Engineering
Minor: Mathematics
Pronouns: he/him
Year: Senior
Hometown: Fremont, CA
Involvements: Association for Computing Machinery, Forge Garden Club, Undergrad Research
Yared Calderon

Yared Calderon

Major: General Engineering
Minor: Mechanical Engineering & Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship
Pronouns: they/them
Year: Junior
Hometown: Keizer, OR
Involvements: Hermana’s Unidas de SCU, LEAD Scholar, Arrupe Ignation Center Assistant, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Engineering Tour Guide, Latine Student Union, Orientation Leader, MCC Center Assistant
 
Maya Murphy

Maya Murphy

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Senior
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Involvements: Club Rugby, Intramural Sports, Engineering Tour Guide, Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers
Farhaan Pishori

Farhaan Pishori

Major: Computer Science and Engineering
Pronouns: he/him
Year: Junior
Hometown: Sammamish, WA
Involvements: Association for Computing Machinery, Intern at Redefine
Mahika Arya

Mahika Arya

Major: Bioengineering and Neuroscience
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Junior
Hometown: San Ramon, CA
Involvements: Undergraduate Research, Intern at EQUII, Intern at Randstad (MilliporeSigma), Biomedical Engineering Society, Society of Women Engineers, Intandesh, The Santa Clara, Orientation Leader
Allyson Bell

Allyson Bell

Major: Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering
Minor: Music
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Junior
Hometown: Hamilton, VA
Involvements: American Society of Civil Engineers, Swim Team, Chamber Singers, Intern at TMG Construction, Honors Program
Samia Ahmer

Samia Ahmer

Major: Computer Science and Engineering
Minor: Management Information Systems (MIS), Mathematics
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Dublin, CA
Involvements: Association for Computing Machinery - Women's Chapter, Intandesh, MSA, Intern at Lassen Peak
Catherine Hung

Catherine Hung

Major: Computer Science and Engineering
Minor: Mathematics
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Palo Alto,CA
Involvements: Association for Computing Machinery Women's Chapter, University Honors Program, Hooks for Hope Club, Association for Women in Mathematics
Matthew Becker

Matthew Becker

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minors: Spanish, Technical Innovation, Design Thinking, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset
Pronouns: he/him
Year: Senior
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, CO
Involvements: Johnson Scholars Program, University Honors Program, Alpha Sigma Nu, Pi Tau Sigma, Intern at Stanford Central Energy Facility
Angelina Ekdawy

Angelina Ekdawy

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Junior
Hometown: Yuba City, CA
Involvements: Middle Eastern North African Club, National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, SCU Barbell, intramural co-ed & girls basketball, Intern for Stantec
Cesar Tellez

Cesar Tellez

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Pronouns: he/him/el
Year: Junior
Hometown: Sun Valley, ID
Involvements: LEAD Scholars, Undocumented Students and Allies Association, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Gwyn Anawalt

Gwyn Anawalt

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Minor: Computer Science and Engineering, Applied Mathematics
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Junior
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Involvements: Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity, KSCU Staff, Women's Club Soccer
Hannah Hamawi

Hannah Hamawi

Major: Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering
Minor: Construction Management
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Involvements: Associated General Contractors (AGC), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Civil Engineering Lab Technician, Intramural Soccer and Softball
Emily Leane

Emily Leane

Major: Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering
Minor: Spanish 
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Junior
Hometown: Grand Junction, CO
Involvements: ASCE, SWE, SCU Acapella, DEVCON Fellowship, Intern at Burns & McDonnell, Into the Wild
Grace Kurilo

Grace Kurilo

Major: Bioengineering
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Senior
Hometown: Portland, OR
Involvements: Society of Women Engineers, SCU A Cappella, Campus Ministry, Biomedical Engineering Society, Intern at the Allen Institute
Jasmine Jacobo

Jasmine Jacobo

Major: Electrical Engineering
Pronouns: she/her
Year: Junior
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Involvements: Lead Scholar and Mentor , Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Energy Club, Summer intern at MORE Consulting

Contact Us

Engineering Undergraduate Programs
Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053

Heafey-Bergin, Bldg. 202

408-551-3604