Meet the Coaches

Cora Ellison(she/her)

Psychology & Global Health Studies, Class of 2029

What Cora brings to coaching: Growing up in New York City, I was surrounded by a wide range of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, which shaped the way I see community and connection. It taught me to value different lived experiences and to appreciate how much we can learn from one another. 

I remember distinctly what it felt like to struggle and feel out of place in an academic environment, especially in a class that was so difficult and unlike anything I had experienced in high school. It was an isolating feeling, and ASLA was such an important resource for me because it gave me the opportunity to meet other students who had gone through the exact same experiences as I had. They had navigated the same challenges, which made me feel understood in a way I had not experienced before. [...] My experience with ASLA, and my own peer coach, was incredibly meaningful because it made me feel seen and heard, and I would love to give that same support back to other students who may be feeling alone in their academic experience.

What you wish you'd known as a first year:  I wish I had known that mistakes are part of the learning process, and that I was not alone in struggling. It can be easy to feel like everyone else has it all figured out in a new academic environment, but once you open up and find a space where people are honest about their own experiences, you realize how many others have felt the same way. Struggle is not a sign that you are falling behind, but often the thing that helps you grow.

Favorite place to study: The SOURCE!

Fun fact: I love to hula hoop!

Andrew Hunt

Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2029

What Andrew brings to coaching: I bring with me the perspective of going through phases. I know what it's like to be super excited about one thing, but become super excited about something else just a little later and not be able to switch. This applies to me for friends, classes, or just about anything. I've learned to be grateful for what I have in front of me.

What you wish you'd known as a first year: I wish I had known that hard classes don't have to be all-consuming. Just because my classes were way harder and way cooler than my high school classes did not mean I have to sacrifice every Thursday night until 4am for an assignment due at 8am.

Favorite place to study: My favorite study spot on campus is (niche one) the basement of University Hall.

Favorite thing about Northwestern: My favorite thing about NU is how nerdy everyone is, especially your professors. Everyone is introspective and ready to analyze life.

Quira Kennerly(she/her)

Psychology & Asian Languages and Cultures, Class of 2027

What Quira brings to coaching: Being a POC from a low-income household comes with a lot of imposter syndrome and self-comparison in a school as great as Northwestern. It can feel isolating and hard to connect with people at first, so I want to help with outreach to students struggling in similar situations.

What you wish you'd known as a first year:  I wish I'd known how much more difficult a work-life-balance is when you essentially live at your job.

Best advice I've ever received: Embarrassment is so 2020, just do it.

Fun fact: I played volleyball for nearly 10 years and did a season in Drum Corps International.

Synthia Lin(she/her)

Industrial Engineering & Voice and Opera, Class of 2028

What Synthia brings to coaching: One perspective I will bring is the belief that growth comes from adaptability and reflection. As a dual-degree student in Industrial Engineering and voice and opera, I have learned to navigate very different academic environments, each with its own expectations and challenges. Balancing these commitments has taught me the importance of time management, resilience, and seeking support when needed.

What you wish you'd known as a first year:  I wish I had spent more time exploring the support and resources the school offers.

Nila Muthusamy(she/her)

Radio/Television/Film & Cognitive Science, Class of 2028

What Nila brings to coaching: Experiences that have shaped my role as a mentor and coach include my roles as a Residential Teaching Assistant with Northwestern's Center for Talent Development as well as Co-Captain of Ahana Dance Project. As a Residential Teaching Assistant, I worked with diverse groups of high school students with a wide variety of ages, interests, and communication styles. By getting to know each of my students individually, I was able to effectively support each of them, honing my interpersonal skills. As Captain of Ahana Dance Project, I strengthened my attention to detail and patience as a teacher as well as my communication skills. Teaching choreography to groups of nearly 50 dancers at once, all of whom have very different experience levels, has taught me to be a clear, concise and confident communicator, as well as a patient, descriptive teacher.

What you wish you'd known as a first year: I wish I knew that everyone around me was still figuring things out. It was easy to assume that everyone except me was consistently excelling academically/socially/extracurricularly/etc. and have imposter syndrome, but in reality everyone was struggling with their own battles. Now I know that it is completely okay and normal to not be perfect, and it is more important to make mistakes, learn and grow throughout college than to be perfect all the time.

Favorite thing about Northwestern: My favorite thing about NU is how much freedom I have to explore all of my interests, both in and out of school. I am currently studying film, cognitive science, teaching, and English, and in my free time I get to dance, work with student films, do mehendi at fundraisers, and plan cultural events for my res college.

Favorite Evanston restaurant: Pho Ever Ramen. I'm a huge fan of their Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen.

Pablo Restrepo Franco(he/him)

Economics & History, Class of 2027

What Pablo brings to coaching: As an international student who has lived in Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina, I know what it feels like to be a “fish out of water.” When I first arrived at Northwestern, I felt overwhelmed and out of place. That experience has made me especially empathetic to students navigating unfamiliar environments or struggling to find a sense of belonging. Having tutored students from ages 6 to 18 in high school, I’ve learned how important it is to listen actively and without judgment, to be patient, and to meet people where they are. These experiences helped shape my values as a mentor: creating a welcoming space and building trust.

What you wish you'd known as a first year:  I wish I had known more effective study strategies and understood that it's encouraged to ask for help. Northwestern offers a wealth of resources and a community full of people who genuinely want to support you.

Favorite place to study: Main Library's fifth floor.

Fun Fact:  I love metal music!

Jacquelin Rodriguez-Flores(she/her)

Biological Sciences, Class of 2027

What Jacquelin brings to coaching: As a first-generation student and the oldest sibling, it has been a great challenge to navigate higher education and it has helped me realize how important it is to have an emotional support system. There have been moments where I felt out of place and felt like I was always behind from everyone. As time went by, I embraced and realized that everyone works at their own pace and journey and there is no valid reason to compare yourself with others. Without the support from my family, I would not be where I am today and I hope that I can help create that space for others who may face similar experiences.

What you wish you'd known as a first year: I wish I had lived more in the moment instead of worrying too much about the future and its challenges. It is important to try out new things and just enjoy the moment.

Best advice you've ever received: Failure is part of the process and will help you grow.

Fun fact: I am a huge movie rewatcher.

Milagros Ruiz Lodwig

Biomedical Engineering, Class of 2028

What Milagros brings to coaching: I believe I bring a student-centered approach to mentoring shaped by years of tutoring and leadership experience. Working with students from different backgrounds and learning styles has taught me the importance of patience, adaptability, and creating a supportive environment where people feel comfortable asking questions and growing from challenges. As an international student, I also value the importance of belonging and understand that students may face a wide range of academic and personal transitions. I strive to meet students where they are, listen thoughtfully, and help them build confidence in their own abilities.

What you wish you'd known as a first year:  I wish I had known how many welcoming communities and opportunities there are at Northwestern for students to explore their interests and discover new ones. There are countless clubs, programs, research opportunities, and events that make college the perfect time to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Staying open-minded and taking advantage of the resources and spaces available to students can make your Northwestern experience much more meaningful, helping you grow personally and professionally.

Favorite place to study: Deering Library 

Jocelyn Wang

Neuroscience & International Studies, Class of 2028

What Jocelyn brings to coaching: Much of my academic journey has been characterized by a feeling of isolation, either due to a difference in the way I learned new concepts or in the way I understood “familiar” ones. Because of this, I have spent a lot of time learning how to self-reflect, working on avoiding comparison, discovering a sustainable balance, and studying which learning strategies work for me and which don't. I hope, as a mentor, to share what I've learned along my way and be a support buddy — so that your journey feels less alone.

What you wish you'd known as a first year:  I wish I had known that it's okay to struggle (academically, mentally, or otherwise), and that it's also okay to be open whenever I am struggling. I hadn't realized that asking for help is an option at every step of the way, not just for when I hit my low.

Favorite thing about Northwestern: It's a bit of a running joke that we're all nerds, but I do genuinely love that everyone here is immensely passionate about something. I have had so many interesting conversations about topics I never expected!

Best advice you've ever received: The classic work hard, play hard. Focus on whatever thing you are choosing to do in this moment, and put 100% into it.