Pierson Aides

Matthew is a senior from Birmingham, Alabama majoring in Sociology with a concentration in Health & Society. At home he enjoys quality time with his six cats, and in New Haven he can be found taking pictures of courtyard squirrels and birds. He is Head Aide for Events in the Pierson Administrative Office, and he is President of the Pierson College Council. When not planning Inferno, Pierson Day, or study breaks, you can find him baking in the student kitchen or studying at Haas Art Library. His email (matthew.bray@yale.edu) is always open for suggestions for Pierson events!

Alex Hoang

Alex is a senior from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a rural town by the Amish countryside. He is a Global Affairs major interested in development and advocacy. At Yale, he volunteers with Y-ESG Consulting Group and through the Migration Alliance at Yale. In his free time, you can find him enjoying art history, making ceramics, or exploring the local food scene.

Originally from State College, Pennsylvania, Iris is a senior studying Economics & Math and pursuing the Statistics & Data Science certificate. She currently serves as Yale College’s Student Body Vice President, and she’s involved with the UP fund and Yale Students for Christ. She also works as a Writing Partner at the Poorvu Center. In her free time, she’s particularly fond of taking long walks around campus, drinking a good chai latte,and watching UNC men’s basketball during March Madness.

Alexandra McGuire is a senior studying Ethics, Politics and Economics. She is originally from Washington DC, although she has also lived in New York, Chicago and Dubai. Alexandra is on the board of the Migration Alliance at Yale (MAY), where she serves as the director of the Immigration Group. She is also an analyst on the Investment Board of a women’s finance group called Smart Woman Securities. In her free time, Alexandra enjoys cooking and spending time with friends. On a sunny day, you can find her with her suitemates on a picnic blanket in the Pierson courtyard.

Lydia Monk

Lydia Monk is a senior in Pierson College from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She is studying Cognitive Science, focusing on language and mind, and pursuing the French language certificate. Lydia is a proud FOOT leader and Expedition Coordinator for Yale Outdoors. Outside of working as a Pierson Aide, and as the Pierson Sustainability Liaison, Lydia is also a Pierson Froco.  You can find them hosting a radio show with WYBC student radio, biking to her next class, or studying in the courtyard with the squirrels.

Adrian Venzon

Adrian is a senior from Las Vegas, Nevada, studying English and Education Studies, hoping to pursue a career in teaching. He is currently on a three-month-long world tour with the Yale Whiffenpoofs, but is excited to make his return to Yale after his gap year. Before singing with the Whiffs, he sang with the Spizzwinks(?), played violin in DPops, and danced with Yale Movement. He’s looking forward to continuing some of these activities this fall, as well as returning to his campus jobs in the Pierson and Admissions Offices. He’s also a proud former co-president of Kasama: The Filipinx Club at Yale and board member of the Asian American Students Alliance. In his free time, you can find him playing board and video games (his favorites are Pokémon and Wingspan, respectively) in the AACC, trying new restaurants in New Haven, and streaming YA romance. He’s super excited to welcome the newest Piersonites to the community!

Juniors:

Eesha Bodapati

Eesha Bodapati (she/her) is a junior majoring in Cognitive Science, and is from Mumbai, India. On campus, she is involved with the Canine Cognition Lab, South Asian Society, Women’s Leadership Initiative, Legal Aid Association, and the dance team Kalaa. She is also a Peer Liaison for the Office of International Students and Scholars. In her free time, you can find her hanging out on Cross Campus with friends, getting boba from Loose Leaf, or trying to befriend Dr. D’s dogs, Josie and Cai!

Kiana Flores

Kiana is a junior in Pierson College and was born and raised in New Haven. She is planning on majoring in Political Science and is working towards a Chinese language certificate. At Yale, she is an undergraduate tour guide, a New Haven REACH college mentor, a Yale College Council New Haven Engagement chair, and a member of a local advocacy group, the New Haven Climate Movement. When she’s not cooped up in the Pierson rotunda studying, you can find her working out with Yale Triathlon or having coffee at Willoughby’s. 

 

Marcus Lisman

Marcus Lisman is a junior from Orlando, Florida. He is majoring in Computer Science and Economics and is working towards a Spanish language certificate. At Yale, he is a Head Advising Fellow for Matriculate, President and Captain of the Yale Club Running Team, a TA for CS50, and a tutor for CodeHaven. In his free time, you can find him running around New Haven while training for a marathon, working on his watch company, or watching Premier League soccer, especially Newcastle United.

 

 

Ashley Reyes

Ashley is a proud Chicana in her junior year from Stockton, California although her second home is Mexico! She is majoring in Ethnicity, Race, & Migration at Yale and is also a prospective Political Science major. Over the summer she participated in a fellowship at the California State Capital and simultaneously interned for KIVU Immigration Law Firm, whom she continues to work for. On campus, you can watch her dance with Sabrosura: Yale’s Premier Latin Dance Team or DanceWorks! During her free time, she’s constantly watching flight prices for her next trip, planning another trip that most likely will not make it out of the group chat, or taking night walks with some hot chocolate.

 

 

 

Cormac Thorpe

Cormac Thorpe (he/him) is a junior from New York City studying Global Affairs and Modern Middle East Studies. On campus, he is involved in the Peace and Dialogue Leadership Initiative; the Yale Review of International Studies; and Yale Outdoors. He enjoys backpacking, playing Bananagrams, and listening to new music.

 

 

 

Sophomores:

Nayel Nelson-Young

Nayel Nelson-Young is a sophomore from Brooklyn, New York. She is a Psychology and Theater Studies major with a sincere interest in studying Japanese and all things dance. Most of her time is dedicated to her work as a member of Steppin Out and preparing for her next show. You can usually find her practicing for her next audition or in the dance studio preparing her next choreographed piece. 

 

 

 

 

 

Duy Nguyen

Duy Nguyen is a sophomore from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is majoring in Economics and History, with an interest in Ancient Mediterranian trade routes and culture. He is a vice-president at Dwight Hall Socially Responsible Investment Fund, an Advising Fellow for Matriculate, and part of the Yale Ballroom Dance Team. In his free time, you can find him reading in the courtyard, up to some antics with his suitemates, or cackling at an episode of The Bachelor with his friends. 

 

 

Casia Provencal

Casia is a sophomore from Denver Colorado, who is majoring in political science and working towards a Spanish language certificate! On campus, she is a member of the a cappella group Shades of Yale, and also on the Yale Track and Field team. Outside of school, she loves to try new things and spend time with her friends! Casia loves theatre, film, music, and will never shy away from a chance to bust down on the dance floor! 

Christian Thomas

Christian Thomas (he/him) is a sophomore at Yale, studying Political Science and is a member of the Intensive Education Studies Scholars program. He was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. At Yale, he serves on the executive board for Yale College Democrats, writes for the Yale Undergraduate Human Rights Journal, and teaches at the Peabody Natural History Museum. In his free time, you can find him jamming out in the Yale Marimba Band, listening to vinyls in his suite, or writing poetry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Felicia Zheng

 Felicia Zheng (‘26) is a sophomore from McFarland, Wisconsin. She is currently studying computer science and philosophy with an interest in tech ethics. She is on the board of the Women and Gender Minorities in Computer Science organization, a member of the women’s club frisbee team, and an advising fellow for Matriculate, among other things. In her free time, you can find her tossing a frisbee in the courtyard, hanging out with her beloved suitemates, or loudly proclaiming the merits of her home state to an innocent bystander.