Student Services
Peer Advisors
Welcome College of Education Students!
We are so excited to be your College of Education peer advisors for the 2024-2025 academic year at the 含羞草研究所, College Park. It is lovely to see all of you back on campus this year, and we know that your presence is a meaningful contribution to our close-knit COE community.
The Peer Advisors are working hard to create opportunities where students can engage with their peers in the college now that we are back on campus. To achieve this goal, we will organize events in order for 含羞草研究所 majors to connect here on campus, and hold office hours in the Student Services office of the College of Education to assist with any questions about the College of Education and student life! The Peer Advisors each have 5 hours of drop-in office hours a week, and all questions are welcome!
Throughout the year, please contact us with questions, ideas, and feedback! You can email educpeeradvisors@umd.edu to quickly connect with a Peer Advisor.
Best Wishes,
COE Peer Advisors
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Amelia Balkan, Elementary Education
Sherylin Calle, Elementary Education
Sarai Hudson, Elementary Education
Lindsay Marchant, Special Education
Natali Palacios, Human Development
Isabel Polanco, Middle School Math and Science
Ana Sans, Elementary Education
Our Undergraduate Peer Advisors are the face of our College to prospective students and their families, new incoming students and current UMD students. The College of Education Peer Advisor Program is run through the Office of Student Services and is a yearlong leadership internship offering undergraduate students the opportunity to become student leaders within the College and University and earn experience working with the advising department. During the first semester, students will participate in a course designed to establish leadership skills, train Peer Advisors on the College鈥檚 undergraduate programs and policies, and prepare students to participate actively and knowledgeably at recruitment events, such as the annual Fall Open House, Admitted Student Open Houses and the First Look Fair, College of Education Orientation and paraprofessional activities within the College. The peer advisors are given the opportunity to gain experience working to help advise fellow peers, giving advice about programs and opportunities.
In the Spring semester, students will participate in a course designed to reinforce skills, concepts and practice gained in the first semester through active involvement in Open Houses, Workshops, Recruitment Events, Office Hours, the COE Newsletter and capstone projects.
Are you looking to be an EdTerp Student Ambassador instead of a Peer Advisor for the College of Education? Click here to learn more! EdTerp Ambassadors have the opportunity to become involved in the College of Education as they represent the college at multiple recruitment events to communicate with prospective students.
Upcoming Events:
- Peer Advisors assist with the Office of Student Services in the College of Education to host MEWs, or Major Exploration Workshops, for individuals interested in switching their Major within the College of Education. There are multiple MEWs throughout the semester, and they are hosted via Zoom.
RSVP for a MEW to learn about our Majors that lead to Initial Teacher Certification Recommendation . RSVP for a MEW to learn about our Human Development Major .
Meet Your Peer Advisors!
Amelia Balkan (she/her)
Fall 2024 Office Hours: Monday 12pm-3pm; Tuesday 2pm-4pm
Hi! My name is Amelia and I'm a junior Elementary Education major from Towson, MD! My favorite spot on campus is the Starbucks in Stamp. My favorite class I've taken at UMD was TLPL340 (Introduction to Children's Literature and Critical Literacy) because I loved analyzing children's books and learning how to implement a culturally conscious perspective into teaching. A fun fact about me is that my first concert was the Rolling Stones on their 50th anniversary tour!
Sherylin Calle (she/her)
Fall 2024 Office Hours: Monday 2pm-4pm; Friday 11am-2pm
Hello! My name is Sherylin Calle, and I am one of your Peer Advisors for this semester. My major is elementary 含羞草研究所. I am from Rockville, Maryland. The Adele H. Stamp Student Union Building is one of my favorite spots on campus. I love catching up with friends over a meal.
Sarai Hudson (she/her)
Fall 2024 Office Hours: Tuesday 12pm-1pm; Thursday 1pm-3pm; Friday 1:30pm-3:30pm
Hi! My name is Sarai and I鈥檓 a sophomore Elementary Education major. I鈥檓 from Sewell, NJ and one of my favorite spots to study on campus is the Clarice, because I really like the library there. My favorite class at UMD that I鈥檝e taken is ENGL101 because it allowed me to improve my writing and I loved doing a research paper on something I鈥檓 passionate about. A fun fact about me is that I did dance for 12 years!
Lindsay Marchant (she/her)
Fall 2024 Office Hours: Monday 10am-12pm; Tuesday 2pm-4pm; Thursday 11:30am-12:30pm
My name is Lindsay Marchant and I am a junior Special Education Track II major from Montville, New Jersey! My favorite spot on campus is ESJ because it is a great place to get some work done with friends. A fun fact about me is that I have a dog named Henry!
Natali Palacios (she/her)
Fall 2024 Office Hours: Tuesday 9am-10:30am; Wednesday 9:30am-11:30am; Friday 9:30am-11am
Hi! I'm a senior majoring in Human Development and minoring in Spanish Heritage Language and Latina/o Culture. My favorite spot on campus is McKeldin Library. As a commuter, it's a nice place to take naps! A fun fact about me is that I'm obsessed with Love Island UK and USA and have watched almost all the seasons.
Isabel Polanco (she/her)
Fall 2024 Office Hours: Monday 8:30am-9:30am; Wednesday 8:30am-9:30am; Thursday 2pm-4pm
Hi everyone! My name is Isabel and I鈥檓 majoring in Middle School Math and Science and minoring in Human Development! I鈥檓 from Montgomery County, MD, specifically Gaithersburg! I love hanging out on McKeldin Mall with my friends when the weather is permitting. I鈥檓 1 of 8 siblings and I鈥檓 so excited to be a Peer Advisor this year! Feel free to come during my office hours if you need anything or stop by just to chat!
Ana Sans (she/her)
Fall 2024 Office Hours: Tuesday 1:30pm-2:30pm; Wednseday 12:30pm-2pm; Thursday 12:30pm-3pm
My name is Ana Sans, and I am a sophomore from Abingdon, MD majoring in elementary 含羞草研究所 with literature as my area of emphasis. My favorite spot on campus is the UMD farm (feel free to visit and meet Bean the farm cat!) My favorite UMD course is TLPL 360: Foundations of Education. The subject material is incredibly interesting, the format is unlike any other college course I've taken, and the professor is really passionate about what he does and it shows in every single class. A fun fact about me is that I am a dual citizen of Spain and the U.S. and I am multilingual!
To speak with your College of Education Peer Advisors, please email educpeeradvisors@umd.edu, or stop by the Office of Student Services (Benjamin Building 1204) during one of the Peer Advisor鈥檚 office hours.
The College of Education Peer Advisor Program requires students to have at least a 3.5 GPA. The Peer Advisor Program application can be accessed via this link: The application is open now and closes Monday, July 1st, 2024.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Students must have by the end of the Spring 2024 semester:
- At least a minimum of a 3.5 GPA
- A major in the College of Education
- A positive demeanor, a desire to learn, and an ability to work well with others