Who they are and what they can help you with
The Academic Advising Peers are undergraduate Isenberg students trained by professional academic advisors on many aspects of academic planning. They are knowledgeable about academic regulations and requirements, University resources and can provide you with a unique student perspective.
Examples of things advising peers can assist with:
- How to read and understand your Academic Requirements report in SPIRE
- Reviewing the Isenberg curriculum plans
- Searching for and enrolling in classes in SPIRE
- Requesting your official or unofficial transcripts
- How to take a course Pass/Fail or revoke a Pass
Who can they advise?
Isenberg Advising Peers are available to assist first and second year Isenberg students. If you want to make an appointment with an advising peer, please log into Navigate and select “Peer Advising” under the type of appointment. It is recommended that juniors and seniors seek advising from the Isenberg professional staff advisors.
Maya Shekar
Major: Marketing
YOG: May 2024
Hometown: Bangalore, India
Future career aspirations: Working in the marketing department of a company I am passionate about
Clubs and activities: Isenberg women in business
Favorite meal at Blue Wall: Chicken Quesadilla from Tamales
Favorite study spot on campus: The Isenberg Learning Commons
Spare time activities: Watching movies, reading and cooking
What is your best advice for Isenberg students? Choose courses you are interested in and explore different career paths. Do not be afraid to reach out to people in your field, building connections can be extremely beneficial.
Ellis Vish
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 11 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-2 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 9-10 a.m.
Major: OIM with a concentration in Information Systems and Analytics
YOG: 2025
Hometown: West Roxbury, MA
Future career aspirations: Own a business, whatever that may be.
Clubs and activities: Isenberg Global Citizens, Club Ice Hockey
Favorite meal at Blue Wall: Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich from Deli Delish
Favorite study spot on campus: Isenberg Breakout Rooms
Spare time activities: Finding new restaurants near UMass, going on hikes, playing hockey
What is your best advice for Isenberg students? Be open to try everything, there are so many opportunities here for you to learn and grow so take advantage of them!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellisvish
Email: evish@umass.edu
Shelagh Holler
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 2-3:30 p.m., Friday 1-4 p.m.
Major: Management with a concentration in Human Resources
YOG: 2024
Hometown: Quincy, MA
Future career aspirations: corporate retail
Clubs and activities: Women in Business
Favorite meal at Blue Wall: Buffalo Chicken Salad (add avocado) from Green Fields!
Favorite study spot on campus: Argo Tea
Spare time activities: Fashion design, reading, hanging out with my roommates
What is your best advice for Isenberg students? Don’t stress about the little things. So many people are there to help you whenever you need it!
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shelaghholler/
Email: sholler@umass.edu
Rachel Jakson
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 1-2 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 9-10 a.m., Wednesday and Friday 9-11 a.m.
Major: Marketing
YOG: Fall 2023
Hometown: Marlborough, Ma
Future career aspirations: I’d love to work on marketing in the future and a job that involves a lot of traveling.
Clubs and activities: Kappa Phi Lambda, Asian American Student Association, Taiwanese Chinese Student Association
Favorite meal at Blue Wall: Poke Bowl!!
Favorite study spot on campus: Isenberg break out rooms
Spare time activities: Paint By Numbers, Road Trips
What is your best advice for Isenberg students? Do something you’re passionate about and it's always better to do things earlier than later. Don't be afraid to ask questions, there’s no such thing as a bad question!
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-jakson
Email: racheljakson@umass.edu
Minh Tran
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 3-4 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Major: Marketing
YOG: 2025
Hometown: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Clubs and Activities: The Massachusetts Daily Collegian
Favorite meal at Blue Wall: Cobb Salad from Green Field
Favorite study spot on campus: Bromery Arts Center and Isenberg Graduate Study Hub
Spare time activities: Photography, hang out with friends, and plants/flowers shopping
Best advice for Isenberg students: Use all resources Isenberg offers and don’t be afraid to explore new things or connect with new people.
Email: thituyetminh@umass.edu
Kalley Hou
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 2:30-3:30 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Major: Marketing
YOG: 2024
Hometown: Central Mass
Future career aspirations: Market Analyst
Clubs and Activities: Asian American Student Association, Delta Sigma Pi, UMass Altitude’s 5:Dirty Dance Crew, Sigma Psi Zeta
Favorite meal at Blue Wall: BLT from Deli Delish
Favorite study spot on campus: Isenberg
Spare time activities: Enjoying sunsets, listening to music, and dancing
Best advice for Isenberg students: Put yourself out there, no matter how scary it may seem.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalleyhou/
Email: klhou@umass.edu
Lauren Heye
Hours: Mondays 3-4 p.m., Tuesday and Friday 2-4 p.m., Thursday 1-4 p.m.
Major: Marketing
YOG: 2026
Hometown: Upton, MA
Future career aspirations: Working in buying and merchandising in a corporate setting.
Clubs and Activities: Women in Business
Favorite meal at Blue Wall: The wraps/salads from Green Fields
Favorite study spot on campus: Argo Tea
Spare time activities: Working out, reading, and getting coffee with friends
Best advice for Isenberg students: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and try something new. Isenberg offers so many amazing opportunities and experiences - take advantage of them while you’re here!
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-heye
Email: lheye@umass.edu
Fiorella Marchan
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m.- 12 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Major: Finance and HTM
YOG: 2026
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Future career aspirations: Financial Advisor
Clubs and Activities: HTM Career Day Committee, Sigma Kappa Sorority
Favorite meal at Blue Wall: Pink Panther Roll at Wasabi
Favorite study spot on campus: Isenberg study rooms
Spare time activities: Going to the beach, trying out new restaurants, and working out
Best advice for Isenberg students: Explore everything Isenberg has to offer; you never know what you might end up loving. Engage with everyone around you. There are so many awesome professors and peers. Use all the resources offered and remember that you get what you put in, so make these four years memorable.
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/fiorella-marchan
Email: fmarchan@umass.edu