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Peer Advisors

Peer advisors.

The CAS Peer Advising Program facilitates the college transition process to create academically successful undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences. 

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Who We Are

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) peer advisors are continuing CAS undergraduates who work primarily with first year, second year, and undecided students. They are chosen from a select group of students and complete a rigorous interview and training process. Peer advisors help students pick classes and majors that suit their interests, provide information on academic policies and procedures, and make appropriate referrals to campus resources. They also provide advising based on their experiences as students at AU. In addition to their advising duties, hold various on campus advising events and assist in registration workshops. In the advising office, CAS peer advisors serve as an additional unit of academic support for all CAS undergraduates in the Academic Advising Office.

Frank Baning

Frank Baning Jr.  Public Health BS, 2027


Frank is a sophomore from Buckingham, England. He is majoring in the BS in Public Health on the pre-med track. He is is the 3-year Public Health Scholars program, where he volunteers with Thrive DC. Outside of his academics, Frank is involved with the AU Men's Club Soccer team as a Social Chair, so look out for Instagram posts! Frank spends most of his time at the Bridge studying or in Katzen playing various instruments. 

Adela Camposano

Adela Camposano Psychology, 2026


Adela Camposano is a senior from Miami, FL majoring in Psychology with a minor in Health Promotion. She has been a member of AU in Motion for the past two years and currently serves as the Secretary where she combines her passion for leadership and dance. On campus, Adela works in Dr. Cotter's Mindfulness Lab where her research focuses on the impact of Latina maternal stress on child health outcomes. Outside of academics, you can find her dancing, volunteering in community service, or with friends at the Bridge. 

Ellie Levin

Ellie Levin
Psychology, 2026


Ellie Levin is a senior from Boca Raton, Florida, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Special Education. She has been an active member of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, serving on the executuve board and holding various chair positions. Ellie has also been a dancer with AU in Motion for the last 6 semesters. Ellie also volunteers with DC Reads as a tutor at elementary schools around DC, and is involved with AU's Chabad. She loves to spend time studying with friends around campus, and outside of school enjoys watching movies and exploring DC's wide variety of coffee shops, food, and fun (free) activities. 

Michelle Miramontes

Michelle Miramontes

Michelle is a senior from Los Angeles, California, majoring in History with a minor in SIS and in the Peace Corps Prep certificate program. She is also in the University Honors program and will be a TA for the research class HNRS-395 in the fall. Outside of academics, she has been part of the investigative journal AWOL 's multimedia team for the last three years and worked on various productions both at Katzen Arts Center and the Greenberg Theater. She also volunteers at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Michelle can usually be found with friends at the Dav, taking photos around DC, or exploring a new museum.

Why See a Peer Advisor?

Peer advisors can provide academic information from their own student perspective. They advise students on the "real deal" when it comes to choosing classes, picking a major, and utilizing campus resources. They share the lessons they have learned as AU students. Because peers are highly trained on advising material, they are a valuable academic resource.

According to Koring, Campbell, et al,* peer advisors serve six purposes:

  • Help new students transition to the university
  • Help advisee master basic academic processes
  • Teach and reinforce student skills for success (i.e. time management, study skills, etc)
  • Act as referral source
  • Offer a different but complementary point of view from staff or faculty advisors' perspectives
  • Serve as role models for successful students

Common Questions for Peer Advisors

  • What classes should I take next semester?
  • How many general education courses/AU Core do I still need to take?
  • I need help choosing a major. What are some helpful resources?
  • How did you choose the major you are pursuing?
  • What courses should an undecided student take?
  • Generally, peer advisors can assist most students with questions about course registration, general education courses, waitlist procedures, choosing a major, and campus resources.

What Students Are Saying

"I loved meeting with my peer advisor. She was extremely helpful and understanding of my questions and provided in depth and helpful responses."

"The peer advising program was very helpful for me. I was feeling very alone/lost/unsure, but chatting with my peer advisor assured me I was on the right track."

"[My Peer Advisor] was great and so helpful! I definitely look to her as a resource for CAS specific questions as well as any AU questions in general!"

"This resource should really be praised! The informal setting and meeting with your peers is the perfect place for students to let down their guard and get help and learn new things. The peer advisors are so kind and considerate and I can't wait to go back!" *H. Koring and S. Campbell, Peer Advising: Intentional Connections to Support Student Learning, The National Advising Association, 2005.