Peer tutors in a range of disciplines are available to clarify concepts, work on skills for various courses, and suggest useful study techniques. Tutors can help you grasp course concepts, talk through readings for better comprehension, or develop discipline specific study skills.

Meet with a peer tutor during their scheduled drop-in hours on the ground floor of the library at the tutoring nook! (Follow signs for "Peer Advising.") If you have any questions, please contact the program director, Doug Duquette (dduquette@oxy.edu).  For those who wish to participate, please review this set of policies for the Peer Tutoring Program.

For information about peer tutoring for language, please visit the Peer Language Tutoring page.

Spring 2024 Peer Tutor Schedule

Sophie Prado-Tucker

Sophie Prado-Tucker

Hi! I’m Sophie (she/her), a junior Art History and History major currently living in the Bay Area! In addition to having taken many Art History classes while at Oxy, I have experience working as a teaching artist through OxyArts, interned at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, and am also currently working as a writing fellow at the writing center. If you have any questions about the department, need help with assignments, or just want to chat, please stop by during my drop-in hours or email me! I’m looking forward to meeting you all!

Tuesday and Thursday 5–7 PM

Cameron Auyang

Cameron Auyang

Hi! My name is Cameron (he/him), and I’m a senior majoring in biochemistry and minoring in neuroscience. I’m most passionate about neurobiology, and I have worked as a TA for both Zoology and BIO 130. On campus, I’m a part of Professor Thompson’s research lab working on optogenetics, and I’m a member of OSAC. I’m excited to meet you all, so feel free to swing by to talk about your classes, the bio/biochemistry majors, or biology just because it’s cool!
 

Monday 11:45 AM–1:45 PM
Thursday 12:00–2:00 PM

We currently do not have a BLST tutor.  Check back in the Fall!  If you are interested in applying to be a tutor for BLST, please contact dduquette@oxy.edu

Elise Smentek

Elise Smentek

Hi all! My name is Elise and I’m a senior biochemistry major with a minor in neuroscience. I’m currently doing ochem research in the Navarro lab and I help run the smash branch at oxy.gg. I also run a dnd campaign on campus and play clarinet in orchestra. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you, and I encourage you to drop by or shoot me an email (bsmentek@oxy.edu) with any chem or biochem questions you might have. 

Wednesday 11:50 AM–1:50 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Anissa Basnayake

Anissa Basnayake

Hi! I’m Anissa (she/her), a junior Cognitive Science major with minors in Neuroscience and Studio Art. I’m from upstate New York but while here at Oxy, I’ve been a part of our South Asian Student Association, The Occidental newspaper, and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Association. I have taken all of the COGS intro requirements, some biology/neuroscience classes, and have been a research assistant so drop by if you have any questions! I also just finished my study abroad semester in New Zealand (which was incredible) so if you’re curious as to how that works— or have any questions about the major (or just want to chat) feel free to visit or email me at basnayake@oxy.edu ! :)

Monday and Wednesday 2–4 PM

Jadriel Delim

Jadriel Delim

Hi everyone! My name is Jadriel and I am a 4th-year Computer Science major and Politics minor. I was born in the Philippines but grew up here in SoCal since I was 5 years old! I enjoy playing tennis, hiking, and gaming in my free time. I’ve taken a variety of CS classes here at Oxy, some of them including Game Design, Databases, and Cryptography! If you have any questions regarding a CS class or anything CS related, feel free to stop by my office hours! If you cannot meet me in-person, you can send your questions to my email at jdelim@oxy.edu.

Thursday 3:35–5:35 PM
Friday 4:00–6:00 PM

Mia Thiagarajan

Mia Thiagarajan

Hi! My name is Mia and I am a senior DWA major with a Chemistry minor. Last semester I went to New York to intern at the United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations through Oxy's UN Program, and I'm excited to be your peer tutor for one last semester before I graduate! I've taken all of the DWA intro level classes as well as many 200-level electives, so feel free to stop by if you have questions about international relations theory, analytical essays, or even just the major in general. Outside of the classroom, I am Vice President of Oxy's Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Association and I've also been dancing with Dance Production for four years. I look forward to meeting you all!

Wednesday 1:00–3:00 PM

Peter Vartanian

Peter Vartanian

Hey, you! I am Peter, a junior international student from Austria. Alongside my major in Diplomacy & World Affairs, I am pursuing a double minor in Comparative Studies in Literature & Culture and Linguistics, while also participating in our school's exchange program with Caltech. My favorite topic in international relations is the Global Political Economy, about which I like to nerd out as a Program Assistant at Oxy's Young Initiative. When I am not being studious, you will find me learning languages, jogging, playing the piano, and running various clubs around campus. I have taken all of the DWA intro-level classes and many 200-level electives, so please talk with me about IR concepts, your readings and writings, the DWA program and resources, as well as any related subjects and interests — or just come chat about school, and life! Whether alone or in groups, I am honored and delighted to meet you!

Friday 1:00–3:00 PM

Francesca Rodoni

Francesca Rodoni

Hello! My name is Francesca and I’m a senior economics and music double major from Pacifica, CA. My favorite topics in economics so far have been game theory and the economics of race and gender. I’m also interested in applying economic concepts to music industry research. Feel free to ask me how I’ve been able to do that in almost all of my electives! You can find me around campus sitting or standing. Drop by the econ peer tutoring hours and ask me any questions!
 

Daria Undeland

Daria Undeland

Hey hey. My name is Daria and I am a junior economics major with an interest in philosophy. I enjoy the logistical aspect of economics and its attempts in modeling real world scenarios, and I'm currently part of a research team conducting a meta-analysis on the impact of developmental projects on pasteurized farming. Economics has multiple applications and I am excited to help people acquire the skills to explore the topic. I look forward to meeting with you, where we can talk about problem sets, and how Economics can best serve you and your interests. 

Drop-in hours for all economics classes: Monday–Thursday 3:00–5:00 PM

Peter Richardson

Peter Richardson

Hello! My name is Peter Richardson, I am a senior geology major and UEP minor from Massachusetts. I am also involved with our Geology Club and love learning more about our connection to our planet and environment. This summer I studied in Nepal mapping and conducting research on rural springshed data. I love everything about geology but am most excited to keep learning about sedimentary systems and the histories they record. I have taken a wide range of our geo classes and am looking forward to sharing what I've learned and getting more people excited about Geology at Oxy! 

*Tutoring held in Hameetman Science Center (HSC) 102
Tuesday and Wednesday 7:30–9:30 PM

Lila O'Leary

Lila O'Leary

Hi everyone! I’m Lila (she/her) and I’m a senior majoring in history and DWA. My work in history has tended to focus on culture and identity in the 20th century, but I have taken classes across the department and am always interested in learning more. At Oxy I work in the Special Collections in the library and lead the History Society, which are both great resources for history enthusiasts. Outside of school I love finding new music, camping and hiking, and crafting with friends! Please stop by if you need help with your classes, I am happy to help with difficult readings and other assignments. Also feel free to ask any questions about the history or DWA departments, undergraduate research, or anything really. See you soon!

Monday 10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Nathan Medros

Nathan Medros

Hi! I’m Nathan, I’m a junior Math and Computer Science major from Boston, Massachusetts. I’ve completed all intro and 200-level math courses and am here to help with all of your math-related needs. Outside of class I enjoy going hiking, hanging out with friends, and reading. I know math can often be daunting so please don’t hesitate to stop by!
 

 

 

 

Isaac Ochoa

Isaac Ochoa

Hi! I'm Isaac (he/him/his), and I'm a sophomore math major from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Outside of school I like going to museums, listening to music, and playing fortinite. I've taken lots of math classes, and generally I'm a pretty big nerd so I'll talk about math with you guys until the cows come home. Nobody understands everything that they learn in their math classes all the time, and sometime it can really help to have a little extra support when you're dealing with difficult concepts. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about peer tutoring, and I look forward to meeting you all soon!

Drop-in hours for all math classes: Tuesday and Thursday 4:00–6:00 PM, Wednesday 6:00–8:00 PM, and Sunday 3:00–6:00 PM

Liv Greene

Liv Greene

Hi! My name is Liv Greene, and I am a senior MAC major with a Media Production Concentration, and minors in Interdisciplinary Writing and Gender Studies. I have taken a diverse array of MAC classes with most of our regular faculty members, from gateways to electives to required courses, and have especially enjoyed theory-based classes that cover topics of gender in media. I am very happy to help students with whatever they may need, whether it be structuring papers, decoding theoretical concepts, thinking of ideas for projects in production classes, or even talking through the MAC major and its requirements. I am so excited to work with you this year! 

Tuesday and Wednesday 6:00–8:00 PM

John Donello

John Donello

Hello! I’m John Donello, a music major with a specialization in composition. I’m from San Clemente California, just a few hours from Occidental. I have finished all intro courses in the music department, so feel free to stop by with any questions. I have a special interest in video game music and play both the piano and guitar.

*Sessions are held in Booth 119
Monday and Wednesday 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Nora Manukyan

Nora Manukyan

Howdy! My name is Nora. I am a senior majoring in philosophy and mathematics. In particular, my favorite philosophical field is aesthetics. Previously, I engaged in the Summer Research Program, studying Immanuel Kant’s aesthetic theory and its application to food with particular attention to desserts. Aside from philosophy, I am very passionate about food and culinary arts in general (whether it be reading articles, finding new places with extravagant menus, or trying to recreate an experience via specific dishes). Please, do not hesitate to come by to ask questions, bounce off ideas, or have an "aha" moment. I am always open to discussing anything because I believe philosophy is omnirelevant.

Monday and Wednesday 11:45 AM–1:45 PM

John Halloran

John Halloran

Hi there. My name is John and I’m a junior Physics major hoping to squeeze in a to-be-determined minor. My family has moved a lot but is currently right here in Los Angeles. I’m also a resident advisor, and when I’m not working I enjoy climbing and music. Physics courses can be challenging because of all the moving parts: depending on the class and professor you might have daily reading assignments, regular weekly homework, lab reports, and tests to keep track of. After four semesters I’ve gotten enough of a hang of it to help you all out, so please come by!

Tuesday and Thursday 4:00–6:00 PM

Maya Ghosh

Maya Ghosh

Hi everyone, I’m Maya (she/her) a senior psychology major and sociology minor here at Oxy! I’m from Santa Clara in the Bay Area and on the women’s golf team. When I’m not on the golf course I’m reading, podcasting, or hanging out with my friends! I’m super excited to be the psych peer tutor this year, so if you need help in class or just want to chat swing by my office hours or send me an email at mghosh@oxy.edu  

Monday and Wednesday 2:00–4:00 PM

We currently do not have a RELS tutor.  Check back in the Fall!

Samm Murphy

Samm Murphy

Hey! I’m Samm (she/her), a senior sociology major and double minor in MAC and CTSJ — I am especially interested in representations in media using a sociological lens. I’m originally from New Jersey so I love going to the beach! I also love to play soccer or do anything outdoors, spend time with my dog, and am a huge reality tv show watcher. I am excited to help with papers, give study tips, or answer any questions you might have! My sociology major allowed me to be apart of internLA, URC’s SRP program and study abroad in Vietnam, and would love to talk about how you can get involved too! I Look forward to meeting you all!

Monday 5:30–7:30 PM
Wednesday 11:45 AM–1:45 PM