Meet the Mentors

Sahil Desai (he/they)

Human Development in Context & Biological Sciences, Class of 2026

What Sahil brings to mentoring UPAL groups: "I really struggled when taking prerequisite classes and ASLA really helped. I want to be able to help others succeed at NU too. I have always encountered the culture where mentioning or acknowledging that you are struggling is seen as a sign of weakness. As a mentor I really want to emphasize that failure is part of the learning process and that there’s no reason to feel inadequate while learning."

What you wish you'd known as a first-year student: Ask for help!!! There are so many resources at this school to support you both academically and in general, it doesn’t make you any less of a student to use them.

Fun fact: I know all the words to Beyoncé Renaissance

Favorite Evanston restaurant(s): Habibi's

Rita Franca(she/her)

Communication Studies, Class of 2027

What Rita brings to mentoring UPAL groups: "As a Black international student from Brazil and a first-generation, low-income student, my journey has been shaped by resilience and determination. Growing up in a low-income household, I intimately understand the challenges of accessing resources and opportunities. These experiences have shown me the transformative power of education and the critical role of a strong support network in achieving our goals. This is why I am passionate about creating inclusive spaces where others like me feel valued and supported. My background allows me to empathize deeply with and advocate for students facing similar struggles, ensuring they receive the guidance and encouragement needed to thrive. I am dedicated to fostering a sense of community and empowerment, helping others navigate their academic and personal journeys with confidence and integrity."

What you wish you'd known as a first-year student: It is okay to take your time and do things at your own pace. I feel that when we get here at Northwestern, there is just so much to see and do, and sometimes, the comparison with others and the FOMO can make the first-year experience very overwhelming. I believe once you realize that being successful here involves understanding your own priorities and goals and that you don't necessarily need to do all the things you want at once, your journey becomes way smoother and more pleasant.

Best advice you've received: The best piece of advice I've ever received came from my best friend when he said: "Forget about others! The only thing you can control is what YOU say or do. The way people see interpret, judge, or gossip about it is not in your control. So just let them be and do whatever makes you happy!"

Favorite thing about Northwestern:  I love NU's interdisciplinarity and the opportunity to explore many fields and interests at the same time. I'm a curious person who cannot be stuck on the same for too long, so having the chance to be constantly involved with different activities and explore various interests is amazing to me.

Kanishk Kapoor(he/him)

Biological Sciences, Class of 2026

What Kanishk brings to mentoring UPAL groups: "As a transfer student, I've been through the process of acclimating to a new academic environment twice now. The step up to Northwestern was especially challenging as I was far away from home for the first time and course rigor was much higher. I know this is a struggle many students can relate with, so I want to use what I've learned from my experiences to help students through this transition. Whether it's learning time management or understanding my limits, I've been through it all and I'm ready to help students learn these skills in a low-stress, supportive environment."

What you wish you'd known as a first-year student:  I wish I had to come to terms with the fact that I would struggle, and that it was okay. I held a mentality of thinking everything should be easy for me for far too long, so embrace the struggle and learn from it. Everyone else is going through the same thing and there are always people ready to support you.

Favorite Evanston restaurant: Yasotorn (best Thai food in town)

Fun fact: I've been playing soccer since I was 5 years old!

Lauren Lee(she/her)

Psychology, Class of 2025

What Lauren brings to mentoring UPAL groups: "I run a free weekly tutoring program in my hometown library [which] has given me insight towards the various struggles students may face in academic environments, and as a peer leader I hope to help students overcome these struggles. The transition from high school to college can be difficult, so I want to help other students navigate this process as smoothly as possible. I want to create a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed and valued."

What you wish you'd known as a first-year student:  Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is key! Although studying is important, setting aside time to develop friendships and practice self-care is crucial.

Favorite Evanston restaurant(s):  Hokkaido and Todoroki

Fun fact: I have perfect pitch!

Emma Manley(she/her)

Human Development in Context, Class of 2026

What Emma brings to mentoring UPAL groups: "I've learned so much about myself and how I and others function. I've learned so much about how best to approach meeting people where they are at, supporting others in trying new things, and keeping it fun, and I hope to bring all of those skills into my UPAL group!"

What you wish you'd known as a first year:  I wish I had known that Northwestern is just the beginning. With college being my focus and end goal for so long, it was a big transition to start to find new goals and challenges and also face the fact I had so much more to learn and practice. Knowing that Northwestern is a path on a destination rather than the destination would've pushed me to get more support through things like ASLA my freshman year as well!

Favorite thing about Northwestern:  The friends I've made here and the days when the weather is perfect

Favorite place to study on campus: Kresge courtyard

Jack McNiel(he/him)

Learning and Organizational Change & Psychology, Class of 2027

What Jack brings to mentoring UPAL groups: "I have spent a lot of time figuring out the best path and goals for myself, and hope to help others find what works best for them."

What you wish you'd known as a first year:  There is no rush to figure things out.

Favorite place to study on campus:  Annenberg Hall

Favorite thing about Northwestern: How passionate everybody is about what they're doing!

Johana Ortiz(she/her)

Neuroscience major, Global Health minor, Class of 2025

What Johana brings to mentoring UPAL groups: "Being a FGLI student with Mexican heritage, I recognize the significance of embracing our unique identities and backgrounds. Doing so is vital for fostering self-confidence and acceptance to pursue our goals. I was also born and raised in a populous and diverse city near Chicago, which has helped me develop a profound admiration for all cultures. Thus, I believe that engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds can expand our horizons, enrich our college experiences, and cultivate a deeper sense of empathy and inclusivity in society."

What you wish you'd known as a first-year student:  When you find yourself in need, don't hesitate to seek assistance. As a first-generation college student, I understand the tendency to feel compelled to handle everything independently. Yet, reaching out to professors, academic advisors, or fellow students can ease your burdens and provide valuable perspectives. Always remember, asking for help demonstrates strength, not weakness.

Favorite place to study on campus: Deering Library

Best advice you've received:  You can never lose by doing "your best" because you will either succeed the first time or realize what you need to get there. 

Inka Rzezinowska(she/her)

Linguistics Major & Computer Science Minor, Class of 2025

What Inka brings to mentoring UPAL groups: "As a first generation student paying for college by myself, I'm no stranger to struggle. High school graduate of 2020, first year of college online, working 3 jobs to support myself, going on medical leave twice, taking an extra year to graduate - my experience was nothing like I thought it was going to be. No matter your obstacle, I will always sit with you and your perspective. Your struggles are valid!"

What you wish you'd known as a first year: There is no standard or perfect experience. Everyone is so unique and has their own experiences, that there really is no way to exactly predict how things will go. Just because your experience looks different, doesn't mean that it's wrong!

Favorite place to study on campus: An empty classroom!

Best advice you've received: Excellence is not perfection.

Sanjana Shankar(she/her)

Neuroscience & Global Health Studies, Class of 2026

What Sanjana brings to mentoring UPAL groups: "I grew up in an Asian-American household and oftentimes, that brought its own unique joys, challenges, and pressures to academically succeed. I want to bring this experience to other students to help teach them that it's okay to not be perfect! We're all going to mess up a little here and there, and ASLA is here to help you back on your feet."

 What you wish you'd known as a first year: I wish I had known that it is okay to make mistakes and mess up! College isn't perfect, and we aren't perfect either.

Binhao Wu(he/him)

Social Policy & Psychology, Class of 2025

What Binhao brings to mentoring UPAL groups: "I wanted to connect with my peers whom I would never otherwise meet, to share what I have learned about Northwestern and the academic journey since I entered college, and to learn from my peers and grow as a person. "

What you wish you'd known as a first year: The declaration of a major does not constrict you to the resources within that major or even that one school. People (from peers to faculty to staff) at Northwestern are happy to help out in whatever they can.

Favorite thing about Northwestern:  The Lakefill

Favorite Evanston restaurant: Tapas Barcelona