Peer Advocates
Peer Advocates are graduate or undergraduate students that receive over 35 hours of advocacy training to support members of the Brandeis community who have been impacted by violence. They can share a variety of grounding techniques, information about reporting options, support you in planning for your safety, and more. They can help whether you personally have experienced violence or if you are worried about a friend. They are also great listeners if you just want to talk.
You can talk to a Peer Advocate without an appointment Monday-Friday, 12pm-5pm ET any day classes are in session by coming into the office, using our online Chatbox, or texting during those hours. If you'd prefer, you can also schedule a meeting with a peer advocate.
Alice (she/her/hers) is currently majoring in Biochemistry, Biology, and Business. She enjoys hanging out with friends, baking, and dancing in her free time. This semester, she is looking forward to promote a supportive campus community as well as raising awareness of sexual assault preventation through PARC.
Alice's typical offices hours are Mondays 2-3pm and Fridays 12-2pm.
Donna (she/her) is majoring in Health: Science, Society, and Policy (HSSP) on the Pre-med track. Outside of PARC she is an EMT with the Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps (BEMCo), a fall Orientation Leader, and the president of The Waltham Group. In her free time she enjoys being with friends and family, reading, and watching tv. As both a Peer Advocate and a Violence Prevention Educator, Donna hopes to support the Brandeis community and work to make campus a safe place.
Donna's typical office hours are Mondays 4-5pm, Thursdays 1-2pm, and Fridays 4-5pm.
Hi, I’m Ella. I don’t know for sure what I am majoring in, so if you ask me you will get a more complicated answer than you asked for. I love watching movies, being outdoors, reading, and drawing. My favorite seasons are Autumn and Winter, because nothing is better than a nice sweater (try and change my mind). I’m working at PARC to be a listener for those just looking to talk. I’m here to make Brandeis feel comfortable and safe for all of its community members.
Ella's typical office hours are Mondays 12-1pm and Wednesdays 3-5pm.
Emily (she/her) is majoring in Anthropology and double-minoring in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic. In her free time, she enjoys reading literature, traveling, planting vegetables in her garden, and cooking Middle Eastern food. As a PARC team member, Emily is hoping to support those impacted by violence and is grateful for the privilege of being able to do this important work on campus!
Emily's typical office hours are Mondays 3-4pm, Wednesdays 2-3pm, and Thursdays 4-5pm.
Gabrielle (she/they) is intending to major in Computer Science and minor in African and African American Studies. Outside of PARC, Gabby participates in the rowing team on campus. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting shopping, listening to R&B, and taking part in social justice initiatives. As an advocate, Gabby is hoping to offer support to her peers, and she is so excited to be able to do meaningful work on campus!
Gabby's typical office hours are Wednesdays 1-2pm and Thursdays 12-2:30pm.
Hallie (She/Her) is from Princeton, Massachusetts and is currently a senior. She is majoring in Sociology and minoring in English and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGS). Apart from PARC she is interning with the Boston non-profit We Are Better Together. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, making art, and watching movies. She loves her community at PARC and is thrilled to offer students the support they need!
Hallie's typical office hours are Tuesdays 2-5pm.
Ilannysh (she/her) is a junior at Brandeis University majoring in Sociology and African & African American Studies. At Brandeis, Ilannysh has worked for Student Services Bureau, Sodexo, Chum’s Coffee House, Box office, and the Covid Testing Site. The past year she has been working at the Lemberg Children’s center. Ilannysh has a passion for helping people! In her free time she enjoys music and podcasts. She is excited to be apart of the PARC team.
Ilannysh's typical office hours are Mondays 2:30-4pm and Wednesdays 2:30-4pm.
Ligia (she/her) is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is planning to major in Biology and Neuroscience. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and exploring Boston with friends. Ligia is excited to become a member of the PARC team and work to make Brandeis a safer community.
Se precisar de ajuda, venha ao meu horário de atendimento por favor.
Ligia's typical office hours are Tuesdays 12-2pm and Wednesdays 12-1pm.
Martha (she/her) is from the Bronx, New York and is a Environmental Studies and IGS major. Martha also works at Lemberg Children's Center! In her free time, she enjoys shopping, nature walks, listening to music, and trying new foods. Martha looks forward to fostering a safer Brandeis campus.
Por favor pasa por mi horario de oficina! ¡Estoy más que feliz de ayudarlo con cualquier inquietud que tenga!
Martha's typical office hours are Tuesdays 1-2pm and Fridays 3-5pm.
Maya (she/her) is from New Jersey, is majoring in American Studies and Education, and is super excited to be a part of the PARC team! Besides PARC, Maya is involved with the Brandeis Orthodox Organization and the Jewish Feminist Association at Brandeis, and is on the cheerleading team! In her free time, Maya enjoys baking, playing board games with friends, and exploring different Boston gems. She is excited to be a part of the PARC team and work to make the Brandeis community safer and more supportive.
Maya's typical office hours are Mondays 1-2pm and Fridays 1-3pm.
Monica Villarados (she/her/hers) is majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. She is from Ecuador, but lives in Queens, New York. She speaks, reads and writes fluent Spanish. Besides PARC, she is a peer mentor on campus and is the event coordinator for Pre-Health Society. She is excited to be a Peer Advocate and hopes to provide support to people who have experienced violence.
Por favor ven a mi horario de oficina! Me encantaría ayudarte y apoyarte de cualquier forma posible.
Monica's typical office hours are Wednesdays 12-2:30pm and Thursdays 2-3pm.
Priya (she/her/hers) is double majoring in Psychology and Sociology. Outside of Brandeis, she enjoys baking, reading a good book, and practicing crocheting. Priya is excited to work at PARC to help foster a safe and supportive community to empower others and help them in their healing process.
Priya's typical office hours are Monday's 12-2:30pm and Tuesdays 4-5pm.
Ranya (she/her) is from Riverdale, NY and majoring in Psychology with a minor in NEJES. Outside of PARC, Ranya is on E-board for Sigma Delta Tau, part of Chabad board, and works in a Psych lab. In her free time, she enjoys having out with her friends, doing yoga, and finding new restaurants! She is really excited about being a part of the PARC team and looks forward to supporting and empowering individuals impacted by violence.
Ranya is studying off-campus in Spring 2023 and will return to PARC in the Fall.
Sam (he/him) is from Michigan and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in English. In his free time, he enjoys nature, listening to music, and playing tennis. Sam joined PARC as a way to help create a more supported and safe student body.
Sam's typical office hours are Tuesdays 12-1pm, Thursdays 3-4pm, and Fridays 12-1pm.
Shawna-Gay (she/her/hers) is currently doing an Independent Interdisciplinary Major in Communication studies and a double Minor in Psychology and The Creative Arts and Social Transformation. Her interest focuses on using both psychological research and creative expression as a vehicle for healing. Outside of PARC, she works as the office assistant at Academic Services. During her spare time, she enjoys cooking, painting, and going out with loved ones. Shawna-Gay is excited to join the PARC team and is passionate about helping her peers who have been impacted by violence. She not only wants to provide resources but also to make sure that everyone she meets feels understood, supported, and empowered.
Shawna-Gay's typical office hours are Tuesday's 2-3pm and Fridays 2-4pm.
Vidushi (she/her) is from Mumbai, India and majoring in Economics, International and Global Studies and WGS. In her free time, she likes to read and walk around exploring new places. She hopes to provide a safe space and emotional support to those who have been impacted by violence to process and heal through her work at PARC.
आप मुझसे हिंदी में भी बात कर सकते हैं
Vidushi's typical office hours are Monday's 4-5pm, Wednesdays 4-5pm, and Thursdays 12-1pm.
My name is Zen. I am double majoring in politics and psychology. Besides being a member of the PARC peer advocate team, I am a member of BSAA, BSO, and pottery club. In my free time I like to read and bake. I work for PARC because it is important to provide help to and support those affected by violence.
Zen's typical office hours are Tuesdays 3-4pm and Thursdays 2:30-5pm.