Support Page Content
Meet the Facilitators
Office Hours
PAL office hours are held in person in SQU 315; Math (SQU 313) and Chem (SQU 321) are in inner rooms. Spring 2025 office hours will be posted here at the end of Week 2.
PAL Facilitators By Class
Supervisory Facilitators
Emily Lam
Supervisory Facilitator
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I love helping people and hope to pursue a teaching career someday, so serving as a PAL Facilitator will be a strong learning experience. I am excited to learn from everyone in the program and in the PAL classes!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I love going on walks at parks to enjoy the fresh air, trees, and wildlife. It does wonders for my mental and physical health. When I’m trapped inside, I like to solve jigsaw puzzles, watch YouTube, and read.
Kevin Salimo
Supervisory Facilitator
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work with students as a PAL Facilitator to help them achieve their academic goals. As a former PAL student, I am inspired by my facilitator to create an environment that stimulates learning and growth. I want to allow students to make connections with the difficult concepts of BIO 25 and be able to carry on those techniques into additional courses. Being able to watch my students succeed and start understanding the material is my goal!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I like to do a lot of things in my spare time! During the winter I like to go ice skating with my friends and snowboarding with my family. I enjoy exploring nature through hiking, rock climbing, and swimming. Indoors I like to just relax in bed, watching movies and shows, reading a book, or be on facetime with friends.
Avery Farlee
Supervisory Facilitator
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am so excited to work as a PAL facilitator so that I can help other students grow and succeed in learning anatomy and physiology as well as directing them down the right path towards success in the career that they are striving for. I want my PAL classroom to be a safe space for students to explore their interests and become the best learner that they can be!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? Along with anatomy and physiology, I am very passionate about fitness and weight training. I am a personal trainer at the Well, so I love working with clients and seeing them grow and reach their goals. I spend most of my time at the gym, studying or reading a good book.
Mela David
Supervisory Facilitator
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I’m looking forward to being a PAL facilitator because I want to help other students feel more confident and motivated when it comes to building foundational math skills. I understand that math can be pretty tough to learn, and because of that, I want to create a positive and supportive environment so that I can help others thrive in their class and develop essential skills for the future! I’m also excited to make new connections and see my peers succeed as well.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time, I like to hang out with my friends and family, play video games, and eat good food.
Chem 1A Facilitators
Richmond Apande
Chem 1A (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work as a PAL facilitator because I enjoy helping others succeed and want to help students build their confidence in their work. I feel as if PAL is so advantageous and provides students with very useful skills.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time, I usually listen to music, exercise occasionally, and go out with friends. I also enjoy watching all types of movies and TV shows.
Eddie Muoki
Chem 1A
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to build new connections with students as well as other facilitators. Chemistry at first can be a very intimidating and challenging subject, but I want to bridge that gap and show others that they can excel with dedication and hard work. I know I can also benefit my peers by just being a great friend and an outlet of help throughout their academic career and life.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music and working out, and I like to indulge in self-improvement books/videos. I also enjoy hanging out with friends and analyzing different genres of films.
Alaina Hagen
Chem 1A
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? From my own experiences, I understand that STEM courses can be difficult. I am excited to work as a PAL Facilitator because I have experienced the academic and social benefits of taking PAL courses, including being more confident in my coursework and making new friends. I enjoy working with others and would like to help other students have a similar experience with PAL and STEM courses.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time, I like to take Ballet and Contemporary dance classes, listen to music, play board games, and write short stories.
Michael Welsh
Chem 1A
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I believe that this position will be fulfilling as I will have many opportunities to guide students along their academic journey. I have always had an affinity towards the sciences and I am excited to be able to share that with others in the context of providing academic support. I also have personal experience of how difficult secondary education can be, and I want to help ensure that anyone pursing the sciences does not feel alone or out of place.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I thoroughly enjoy reading science fiction, horror, mythology/folklore, and nonfiction books (regarding science/medicine/math). I also enjoy discovering new types of music as I listen and play music (flute/piano) a lot.
Chem 1B Facilitators
Kelly Chan
Chem 1B (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I’m excited to be a PAL facilitator to meet new people, make friends, and especially aid others when they struggle with math. Personally, math is my favorite subject, so I want to make it as easy as possible for others.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time, I enjoy watching dramas, trying new foods, and spending time with friends. I also really enjoy puzzles, but I never have enough time to complete one entirely.
Diana Gamboa
Chem 1B
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? To be able to share a passion of science with others is so exciting! I look forward to watching people conquer the difficult study that is Chemistry and watching their confidence grow as they overcome these challenges. Anything can be learned as long as effort and practice is put in.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I enjoy dancing and doing art when I get the chance! I also love playing video games but most of my spare time is spent studying. Such is the life of a college student.
Manh Le
Chem 1B
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I'm excited to work as a PAL Facilitator because I want to help students feel more confident and comfortable in their chemistry classes. I believe a helpful mentor can make a big impact on a student's learning. I hope to create a positive and fun learning environment for students to grow and develop foundational chemistry knowledge that will come in handy in future classes and future assessments.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I enjoy playing all types of video games, playing sports, and hanging out with my friends and family. I also enjoy watching different movies and shows, having just caught up with One Piece.
Chem 4 Facilitators
Bella Lares
Chem 4 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am most excited to see all the new faces that come to the palace! STEM is such a wonderful community and PAL is a wonderful way to meet people and work towards that degree together.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I love to cook and bake! Chances are you'll find me stealing herbs from the arboretum after I forgot one from the store. I also love to talk about my dog, Beyblade.
Avigail Anguiano
Chem 4
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work as a PAL Facilitator because I love sharing my passion for chemistry with my peers. I want to create a positive environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow and have fun.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time, I love to hang out with my friends, take long naps, and play Minecraft.
Jessy Cadena
Chem 4
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I’m excited to work as a PAL Facilitator because I have the opportunity to help mentor students who are in the same position I was in starting STEM-based courses, asking for help can be intimidating but I’m hoping to make this process easier for students, and be there for them as needed.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I enjoy going to the gym, snowboarding, sunset-watching at the lake, and coloring. Anything that includes being outside or challenges me!
Ashley Smith
Chem 4
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? As a STEM major, I understand how difficult and intense STEM courses can be. My passion is helping students become more confident in their abilities with math and science. These courses can be so intimidating, and I love watching students have that "ah-ha!" moment working through various problems. I also love being a support outlet for other areas, such as major related questions, learning how to become a better student, or just being a friend!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I love playing video games, crocheting, fishing, and painting. I also honestly love watching math videos and doing my math homework!
Chem 24 Facilitators
Maarten Rios
Chem 24 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I'm excited to become a PAL facilitator because I look forward to helping others build a strong foundation in chemistry. As a PAL facilitator I'm also looking forward to fostering peer interest in all STEM fields.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I really enjoy plants so in my spare time I like tending to my vegetable and california native garden as well as going on nature walks and hikes when I get the opportunity.
Abby Polapink
Chem 24
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I’m excited to work as a PAL Facilitator because I love sharing my passion for chemistry to my peers and helping them feel more confident in this field of interest. I hope to create a comfortable space for students who feel intimidated in their STEM courses, and be someone they can go to for help.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I really enjoy spending time with my loved ones whether that’s friends or family. I’m really into video games, daily walks, reading and sketching. I also have a cat named Eroda whom I absolutely adore.
Chem 124 Facilitators
Sophia Schultz
Chem 124 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work as a PAL facilitator because I am passionate about learning and helping other people succeed. I look forward to seeing my peers grow academically, as well as grow with them.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I enjoy spending time outdoors, playing with my dog, and catching up with friends and family.
Aaisha Dass
Chem 124
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work as a PAL Facilitator because I love Chemistry and hope to help students succeed like my past facilitators helped me. My goal is to help make each student feel capable of tackling a challenging but rewarding subject: Organic Chemistry!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I love to spend my free time with friends as well as listening to music, playing video games, and simply lying in bed!
Math 12 Facilitators
Destiny Housley
Math 12 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I’m excited to be a part of PAL because I like helping people understand math at a base level. I also like interacting and working with others.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I love to crochet and play pc games in my spare time. I also like listening to music while doing both activities.
Madaline Padilla
Math 12
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I enjoy helping others and believe this will be a fulfilling experience. Math can be a difficult subject to learn, so I hope to create an environment that makes the learning process less stressful. I look forward to watching my students grow over the course of the semester!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time I enjoy reading, watching tv, running, and rock climbing. I love to spend time with family and friends, and go thrifting any time I can with them.
Jan Oropesa
Math 12
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I want to support students as they continue along their math journey by offering them different skills and mindsets for approaching mathematics. I love mathematics and I love helping others understand their material little bits at a time. Through PAL, we can build communities so that students know that they are never alone going through their academic career.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? Most of my free time is spent at the local rock climbing gym or at the climbing wall at The Well! I love climbing routes and solving problems on ropes and boulders. I also enjoy reading, watching anime, playing video games, eating food, and hanging out with friends.
Math 29 Facilitators
Sam Gaitan
Math 29 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I'm excited to work as a PAL Facilitator because not only will it help me learn as an educator how to best support my students, but I also love to see students have their "aha!" moments when something difficult finally makes sense.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? During my free time, I love to bake, garden, and play a lot of video games like Marvel Rivals and Stardew Valley!
Anthony Knight
Math 29
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am thrilled to work as a PAL facilitator because I am passionate about helping students at Sacramento State. I understand how challenging it can be to ask for help, and I want to be a supportive and easily approachable resource for students and people at Sacramento State. I aim to make it easier for students to overcome challenges and succeed.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time, I like to do physical activities like hiking, snowboarding, boxing, or working out at the well or just going out with friends in general. When I'm at home I like to spend my time playing video games like Marvel Rivals or Sparking Zero.
Math 30 Facilitators
Victoria Mosley
Math 30 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work as a PAL Facilitator because I want to share my passion for math and science. I want to help others succeed in difficult classes and achieve their goals. I understand math and science can be frustrating sometimes, but with a little guidance these subjects can actually be quite fun and interesting!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time I love to crochet, play with my crazy dog, or play basketball. I also enjoy watching movies and shows on Netflix.
Michael Kenny
Math 30
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I'm excited to be a PAL Facilitator since I've always had a passion for helping others as well as math and so this is the perfect place for both!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I play a lot of video games in my free time on my computer, I like to read here and there as well as watch shows on streaming platforms and anime, as well as traveling with friends and creating new memories with those I love.
Alex Mont
Math 30
Math 31 Facilitators
Sahil Kumar
Math 31 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work as a PAL facilitator because I look forward to students working together to solve problems that they are struggling with.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time I like to play video games, make music, and work on my car.
Nicholas Agudelo
Math 31
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? Despite what the face in my photo might imply, I'm quite excited to work as a PAL Facilitator since I'll be helping students pass the very difficult path that is Math 31. Plus, I get to practice my Socratic dialogue skills.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? Considering that I'm a walking, talking chatter box, going out with friends, acquaintances, and strangers is always a tremendous pleasure. Aside from that, I'm very fond of the movie theatre experience, playing the guitar, the gym, and cooking traditional Colombian snacks.
Math 32 Facilitators
Christy Au
Math 32 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? As a PAL Facilitator, I can’t wait to work with students and watch them succeed through their journey here at Sac State. Additionally, I would like to share my love for math with others and help them understand concepts may be more challenging than others.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time, I love to solve Rubik’s Cubes and enjoy putting together puzzles. I also love playing Wordle, CrossNerdle and Free Cell.
Walker Quintero
Math 32
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to be a PAL facilitator because of all the new people I get to meet who share a similar interest in math. I know it can be difficult at times, but I look forward to helping students become more confident in their abilities.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I spend pretty much all of my free time playing music. I've been playing guitar for about 13 years and recently started playing the drums!
Phys 5A Facilitators
Celaye Pena
Phys 5A (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I wanted to be a PAL facilitator because I really enjoy helping others and solving problems. I feel that facilitating physics is a great way to do that as PAL has helped me tremendously in the past. I too want to share that experience of learning and working together to help each other succeed.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my free time I really enjoy crocheting! I've made a lot of things like clothes, bags, and home decor. I also like playing minecraft and other games as well as rewatching the same show over and over.
Riya Sandhu
Phys 5A
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? As a PAL facilitator, I’m most looking forward to meeting students and watching their growth over the semester we have together. This program has helped me thrive in my classes, and I am eager to be able to help others. I’ve seen how PAL builds community, as students bond over a subject’s challenges and other shared experiences. I am so excited to be a part of such a supportive environment!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I consider myself a matcha enthusiast and love making lattes at home. I enjoy going to the beach and taking care of all of my fish. I like low stress games like Animal Crossing and Roblox. I am currently on a journey to try every cafe in Sacramento to see which one is the best!
Bio 25 Facilitators
Emma Greenberg
Bio 25 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work as a PAL facilitator because I wish to share my love for biology! I understand these concepts can be challenging, but I want to help students feel more comfortable and excel at anatomy and physiology. My goal for being a PAL facilitator is to create a safe and encouraging space for everyone to strengthen their skills in biology.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I love playing my saxophone and clarinet (I have played both instruments for over 10 years!). I also enjoy going to cat shelters and petting cute kitties.
Luciana Pena
Bio 25
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to join the PAL community and participate as a PAL Facilitator to encourage students to become their best scholarly selves by enhancing their academic habits! At the beginning of my higher education journey, I did not have the best learning routines or academic habits. Navigating this challenge as a PAL student enabled improvement in active studying and stimulated growth in my course performance. I am excited to help students gain confidence in BIO 25 by practicing effective study methods!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I like to spend time with my family and puppy; I value quality time more since I moved to Sacramento. For fun, I enjoy shopping, outdoor activities, and concerts! On the rare occasion that I have spare time, I like to make desserts and binge-watch comfort shows.
Arrianna Lewis
Bio 25
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work as a PAL facilitator because I want to help students succeed. I came from a poor academic background which led me to learn how to do everything independently. But I want to encourage students by giving them the tools to be the best academic weapon they can be. I know this course can be hard, but I want to give students helpful study habits that can be used to flourish in BIO 25.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? For fun, I love going to the gym. I have been a big gym rat since high school and love pushing myself to the limits. I also love going shopping and hanging out with friends.
Gabriel Sanchez
Bio 25
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? Growing up I struggled in school, but my grandma was always there and never gave up on me. Her support allowed me to find my stride academically, and I am forever grateful. What excites me about being a facilitator is having an opportunity to pay it forward and be for other students what my grandma was for me while focusing on a subject I am passionate about.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? Whenever I have free time, I love traveling, exploring new places, hiking, and going to the gym. On quieter days, I enjoy sleeping in, listening to music, playing video games, and spending time with my cat, family, and friends. I’m always eager to try and experience new things, whether it’s a show, hobby, music, food, etc.
Angelina Slivinsky
Bio 25
Bio 26 Facilitators
Jasmine McNeil
Bio 26 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am so excited to be a PAL facilitator because I want to help be a resource for other students who are on this journey to accomplish their academic goals. STEM classes make so much more sense and are also so much more fun when you have resources and support. I hope as a PAL facilitator I can be this resources to my peers and contribute to their success!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time I love to spend time with my husband, puppy and our families. I enjoy spending time outside, whether that is just on a walk around the neighborhood, or a hiking trip. I also enjoy movies and the gym.
Carolina Flolo
Bio 26
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to be a PAL Facilitator because I am passionate about the human sciences, especially BIO 25, and want to help introduce my peers to the subject in a supportive way. As a former PAL student myself, I know firsthand how beneficial PAL courses can be. I want to use what I learned from my own PAL facilitators to empower students and help them gain confidence in their ability to learn, just like my facilitators did. BIO 25 is a rigorous course, but with the support from someone who was once in the same position, and hard work, you can thrive!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I enjoy a lot of hobbies in my spare time! I really enjoy being outdoors, where you might find me rock climbing, picking wildflowers, or combing a river, lake, the ocean, or any body of water I can find, for rocks, fossils, or shells. I also love my cozier, at home hobbies, like reading, jewelry making, and playing video games! You can also find me at local coffee shops with friends enjoying an iced mocha!
Aury Perez
Bio 26
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am most excited to see students grow in understanding human anatomy and physiology. As a former student of PAL and BIO 26, I can understand how intimidating it can be taking these courses. With the skills I have gained through my academic journey in taking these courses I hope to share my knowledge to help students grow comfortable with themselves and build confidence. By providing a safe space for students I look forward to seeing them grow successful and learn efficiently in these courses!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time I enjoy spending it with my loved ones and my dog whether that looks like spent at home or can even be outdoor activities such as shopping or trying new places! Some of my hobbies consist of watching movies or binge watching my favorite shows, reading books, and listening to music.
Arjun Maharaj
Bio 26
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I’m excited to work as a PAL facilitator because there is a great amount of opportunity and growth I can utilize for future plus I want to help give back to the community that helped me through the challenging classes I took.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time, I would be working out, doing my physical therapy, or watching mma fights mainly Muay Thai which I hope to train once cleared.
Bio 121 Facilitators
Logan Lawrence
Bio 121 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I found that working together in a group setting allowed me to thrive in very difficult class, I am excited to facilitate and aid students in a similar manner.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? I enjoy working out, reading, playing video games, and binging TV shows. I also enjoy spending time with my girlfriend, family, and other close friends.
Rachael Basra
Bio 121
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to be a PAL facilitator as I seek to encourage students to develop their interests and knowledge in the sciences. Furthermore, I believe the group environment as well as guidance from facilitators greatly help increase confidence in going through challenging problems. Being a PAL student myself I found the class to be very helpful as it helped me academically as well as socially as I got to meet new people. I look forward to working with my students and hope to gain new knowledge from them as well as they go through their academic journey.
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? Some of things I like to do is to spend time with my family and crocheting.
Bio 131 Facilitators
Aubrey Heldoorn
Bio 131 (Lead)
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work as a PAL Facilitator because I want to help others succeed in Systemic Physiology. Personally, I am very passionate about Physio! I know it can be intimidating at first! I want to offer students the help they need in order to feel confident in their knowledge and maybe even develop a passion for science like me!!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my free time I enjoy thrifting, collecting vinyl, going to concerts, cooking, hiking, and getting coffee with friends!
Manraj Toor
Bio 131
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I'm excited to have the ability to boost students' confidence in the subject material and prepare them for assessments. I will strive to foster a welcoming and positive environment and help students fulfill their potential!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time, I exercise and play a plethora of video games such as Kingdom Hearts. I also enjoy watching horror movies, like Scream, and TV shows such as Survivor.
Emily Licea
Bio 131
Why are you excited to work as a PAL Facilitator? I am excited to work as a PAL facilitator to utilize my passion for biology to uplift my peers. As a former PAL student, I hope to pay forward the support and impact that many PAL mentors have had on me. Biological sciences can be difficult but I'm excited to be here to work through it together and let others know that they belong here!
What do you like to do for fun or in your spare time? In my spare time I like to sing songs to my plants, play Minecraft, and watch sitcoms (I just finished "How I met your mother"). I can also do the worm!
Naemi Okpo
Bio 131