Meet the CGS Peer Mentors
If you’d like to connect with a CGS Peer Mentor, please email Jihyeon Choe, Assistant Director of Student Services, at jchoe1@bu.edu.
Arianna Abidi
Team C
Major: International Relations with minor in persian cultural studies and journalism
Hometown: Orange County, CA
Grace Byrne
Team D
Major: Human Physiology (Pre-Med)
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Joseph Cerniglia
Team G
Major: QST
Home state: PA
Kate Charlotin
Team H
Major: Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wesley Choi
Team G
Major: QST
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Stella Coffaro
Team F
Major: English and Political Science (Double Major)
Hometown: Maple Valley, WA
Max Flessner
Team F
Major: Political Science and Philosophy (Pre-Law)
Hometown: Houston, TX
Jessica Gusmao
Team E
Major: International Relations and French
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Keiara Hawes
Team E
Major: African American and Black Diaspora Studies with minor in Philosophy
Hometown: Chicopee, MA
Nasthasya Jean Philippe
Team H
Major: Neuroscience (Pre-Med)
Hometown: Elmont, NY
Miranda Medlen-Ursell
Team E
Major: Health Science (Pre-Med)
Hometown: Sierra Vista, AZ
Jacqui Sholes
Team H
Major: Political Science, Public Policy (Pre-law)
Hometown: Barrington, RI
Nicolai Tarason
Team C
Major: History and Economics (double major)
Hometown: Swampscott, MA
Tania Torres
Team C
Major: English and Scoiology (double major)
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Ashley West
Team D
Major: International Relations
Home: Jamaica
Bryce Filippazzo
Team E
Major: Public Relations with minor in QST
Hometown: Granite Springs, NY
Vas Kanellos
Team D
Major: Biology (Pre-Vet) with minor in Modern Greek
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Isabelle Schneider
Team G
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Oradell, NJ
Eleez Omar
Team A
Major: International Relations with mnior in Environmental Analysis & Policy and French
Hometown: Maldives and Syria
Arsh Bahl
Team C
Major: Human Physiology (Pre-Med)
Hometown: Marlboro, NJ
A Note from the Director
Welcome, Class of 2030, to the College of General Studies at Boston University!
As the Director of Student Services and Academic Advising, and a proud CGS alum, I am especially excited to welcome you to a program that was truly transformative in my own academic and personal journey.
CGS gave me the space to explore my academic interests, connect ideas across disciplines, and think deeply about my future major and career path. It is a place where curiosity is encouraged and where students grow in exciting, unexpected ways.
What makes this community so special is the people. Our award-winning faculty and dedicated academic advisors are committed to supporting you, challenging you, and helping you make the most of every opportunity that Boston University has to offer.
I encourage you to come visit us in April at one of our Admitted Terrier Campus Visits or explore BU’s campus on an upcoming Admitted Terrier Day. If you’d like to learn more about how the CGS program will support you in your pathway to a Boston University degree, I welcome you to schedule an advising session to speak with me directly by clicking the button below.
Congratulations on your admission to Boston University and to the College of General Studies, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.
Best wishes,
Matthew Bae, EdM (CGS ’10, COM ’12, Wheelock ’17)
Director of Student Services and Academic Advising