First-Year Counselors (FroCos)

Felicia Zheng 

Felicia Zheng (she/her) hails from the beautiful land of McFarland, Wisconsin. She is pursuing a double major in computer science and philosophy, with an interest in the intersection of technology and ethics. On campus, she’s an active member of the Women and Gender Minorities in Computer Science, Yale Daily News Technology Desk, Pierson College aides, and the club Ultimate Frisbee team. In her free time, she enjoys being a little too competitive about board games, engaging former-suitemates-turned-frocomates Casia and William in debates, and of course, playing ultimate frisbee. You probably shouldn’t engage her in conversation about the latter unless you have an hour to burn. She’s excited to welcome the class of ‘29 to the wonderful community she calls home!

Andrew Yang 

Andrew Yang (he/him) is from the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, California. He studies Chemistry and researches drug design and synthesis, while also pursuing a certificate in Medieval Studies.

Outside of classes, he has participated in various musical groups, from touring with the Yale Symphony Orchestra to playing in a myriad of student-run pit orchestras.

In his free time, you can find Andrew nestled in a cafe with a book, learning to dance, and coming up with creative excuses to get boba.

Casia Provencal 

On a brisk fall day Casia began her quest for world domination in the beautiful city of Denver, Colorado. Since then, she has made it all the way to her senior year as a Political Science major with a concentration in Moral, Social, and Political Conflict, as well as a certificate in Spanish.

On campus Casia is a happy Pierson college aide, can be found on the a cappella and theatre scene, as well as hurdling with the Yale Varsity Track and Field team! Outside of Yale, Casia has had the chance to explore politics from local Denver campaigns to interning in the US Senate.

Casia is a HUGE music and film enthusiast and can usually be found singing and dancing around when she’s not incredibly locked in as an academic weapon!

William Palmer 

William spent the first half of his life in Venice, California and the second half in Stonington, CT. He is a Computational-Linguistics and Math major who researches AI at the CLAY lab (Computational Linguistics at Yale), and serves as president of the Yale Linguistics Society. He is an avid member of the Yale Kendo Team where he practices Japanese swordsmanship and competes in the Northeast Kendo Federation. William also studies ancient Greek and enjoys translating Homer. He loves cooking, supporting a wok-dominant lifestyle, and has been slowly teaching himself piano. He is really excited to meet everyone.

Jesse Okoche 

Jesse Okoche (he/him) is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and pursuing a certificate in Energy Studies. Born and raised in Botswana to Ugandan parents, he came to the U.S. as an international student to attend MassBay Community College, where he earned his associate’s degree. Jesse transferred to Yale in 2023 and is now in his final year at Yale - he is still in awe of this fact. He finds deep joy in helping others realize their potential, whether mentoring international college applicants from low socioeconomic backgrounds through his nonprofit, Afro-Scholar, or supporting new transfers as a former Head Transfer Peer Adviser. He believes belonging is the foundation of all meaningful success and is excited to help foster this sense of community for the Pierson Class of 2029!

Fun fact: Botswana passports have a dark blue cover; Jesse’s passport has a light blue one. If you can’t guess why, ask him about it when you see him on campus (the answer is right above in his introduction).

Meera Mishra 

Meera Mishra (she/her) is from Farmville, Virginia, although her second home is Fiji! She is a pre-med  majoring in History of Science, History of Medicine, Public Health (HSHM) with an Education Studies Certificate. On campus, she is involved with the Indigeonous Peoples of Oceania at Yale (IPO), YaleRangeela, and the South Asian Youth Initiative. She also works as a pedagogical partner and a program coordinator for Tsai City. In her free time you can catch her in the elm pretending to do work or chatting with her friends in Pierson. She  is super excited to meet be a FroCo and can’t wait to welcome new first years to Yale and to the best residential college!

Ahmed Khan ‘26

Details coming soon!

Emily Hettinger 

Emily Hettinger (she/her) is from Torrance, California (medium-ish city just outside of Los Angeles) and is a pre-law student studying Psychology and Education Studies. At Yale, she volunteers with the Yale Prison Education Initiative, organizes with YaleBleeds, Yale’s menstrual equity group, and leads first years on hiking trips through the woods with FOOT. She is also a research assistant in a psychology lab and formerly served as a Senator in the Yale College Council. You can often find her enjoying slow breakfasts in the Pierson dining hall, running on the Farmington Canal trail at a conversational pace, and consuming above-average levels of chocolate soy milk. (Open invite to join her in any of these things). She loves her small dog, Callie, Pierson College, late-night common room yap sessions, and long drives. And she is beyond excited to welcome the class of 2029 to Pierson and help them find community, warmth, and joy at Yale. 

Tristan Hernandez 

Tristan Hernandez (he/him) is from Austin, Texas and is majoring in Political Science with a certificate in Education Studies. On campus, he was the editor-in-chief of the Yale Daily News and reported on everything from Yale’s dining halls to the 2024 election. In his free time, you can find him in the Pierson buttery playing New York Times minigames, making highly specific playlists (on Apple Music), or overanalyzing reality television. He is super excited to be a FroCo and welcome new Piersonites to the best residential college!

Marlissa Archie