Peer Mentor Profiles
2026-2027 Peer Mentors
Lead Peer Mentor
Siyona Nayampally
PII & Economics
Hi y’all! My name is Siyona, and I am so excited to be your Lead Peer Mentor for this year! I am a senior from Austin, Texas, majoring in PII and Economics with certificates in Business Spanish and Applied Statistical Modeling, and a minor in History! After graduation, I am interested in economic/public policy, international relations, and technology, and I hope to serve in the Peace Corps. On campus, I am Traditions Co-Director for the Texas Orange Jackets, a member of the Diplomatic Table, a student associate at the Joynes Reading Room, and a volunteer at the UT Microfarm. Outside of school, I love to travel, find new vinyl records for my collection, read, spend time outside on South Mall with friends, craft, and stay active! I am so excited to meet and get to know you this fall! Plan II is such an amazing program that has allowed me to grow so much, and I can’t wait to help you find your way within it! Please feel free to reach out or ask me any questions and say hi if you see me around campus!
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Tammy Olajide
PII & Economics
Hi everyone! I’m Tammy and so excited to be a peer mentor for the first time. I’m a sophomore double majoring in Economics and Plan II, with a minor in Mandarin. I also happen to be one of the freshman coordinators this year, so you’ll be seeing a lot of me! On campus I’m involved in pre-law, business, and consulting orgs, and will be starting an internship at the Annette Strauss Institute this fall. In my free time, I like to do (unheated!!) yoga, shop, and hang out with friends.
This summer I’ve kept busy with a Maymester in Taiwan, an internship in Lagos, and a short trip to London to see John Summit perform. When we get back to the 40s, I’m looking forward to night games at DKR, trips to Barton Springs, and, of course, making many fun memories with my peer pod!
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Rebekah Besserman
PII & Government
Hello! My name is Rebekah Besserman, and I am a senior from Austin, Texas. I am majoring in Plan II and Government with a minor in History and BDP Certificate in Human Rights & Social Justice. I served in the Plan II Students’ Association for the past three years, host a weekly radio show on KVRX, and read lots of books while working at the Joynes Reading Room. Outside of school, I love drawing and printmaking, taking photos, walking in Pease Park, and adding to my junk journal. I have absolutely loved my time in Plan II and I am so excited to help y’all settle in.
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Wren Brumley
PII & Psychology
Hi y’all! My name is Wren Brumley, and I’m an Austin native entering my senior year here at UT. I’m double majoring in Psychology and Plan II on the pre-med track while pursuing certificates in Spanish for Medical Professions and Pre-Health Professions, along with the Patients, Practitioners & Cultures of Care BDP.
On campus, I’m very active with Dell Medical School’s Health Leadership Apprentice (HLA) program, where I work on projects related to healthcare leadership, innovation, and community impact. I’m also a Pre-Med Mentor with Global Medical Training, a former president of the Plan II Pre-Med Society, and involved in Alpha Epsilon Delta, Young Life, and Pi Beta Phi.
Outside of academics, I absolutely love writing, live music, and spending time with friends! You can usually find me walking along Town Lake or trying new coffee shops and restaurants. I’m always happy to talk about classes, pre-med life, getting involved on campus, or finding your place at UT. I can’t wait to meet y’all and help make the 40 Acres feel like home!
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Scarlett Gunn
PII & Biology
Hi! I'm Scarlett, a Plan II Honors and Biology major on the pre-medical track. One of the things I love most about UT is how easy it is to find communities that make such a big campus feel smaller! I'm involved in Greek life as a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and am a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-health honors society. I also volunteer with hospice patients in the Austin area and tutor high school students in math. Through Plan II, I'm a KIPP mentor and tutor, which has been one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience.
Outside of class, you'll usually find me grabbing coffee with friends, exploring Austin, going on walks, or trying new restaurants. My biggest advice for incoming freshmen is to put yourself out there and say yes to new opportunities! Plan II has introduced me to some of my closest friends, and I know y’all will find yours too! I’m excited to meet y’all! Hook 'em!!!!!
Lead Peer Mentor
Jaidin Upadhyaya
PII & Neuroscience
Hi everyone! My name is Jaidin Upadhyaya, and I'm from Sugar Land, Texas (Houston). I'm a rising junior double majoring in Neuroscience and Plan II, with a minor in Healthcare Reform and Innovation through McCombs. On campus, I serve as Co-President of the Plan II Student Association, a Lead Consultant for the Texas Business Healthcare Association, Public Relations Director for the Texas Business Law Association, and a Program Leader/Application Reviewer for Dell Medical School's Health Leadership Apprentice Program. Outside of school, I love spending time with friends, hosting social events, discovering new music, and exploring Austin. Whether you're interested in pre-med, consulting, pre-law, or just figuring out life at UT, I'm always happy to help. As an older brother and longtime mentor, I can't wait to get to know you, answer any questions, and help make your experience on the Forty Acres unforgettable.
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Caroline Palamountain
PII & Human Biology
Hi guys! My name is Caroline Palamountain, and I am a Junior from Houston studying Human Biology and Plan II on the Pre-Dental track. I have absolutely loved my time on the 40 acres and enjoy staying involved on campus. In addition to being your Advocacy Co-Chair in P2SA (come to our cookie chats and town halls!!), I serve as Director of Academic Excellence for my sorority Tri Delta, a peer mentor for my FRI stream Bugs in Bugs, and am active member in Texas Pre-Dental society and Delta Epsilon Mu. Outside of school, I enjoy trying new poke spots, watching movies with my roommates, reading at Barton, and running around Lady Bird Lake. My mom was a Plan II major and President of P2SA, so my love for Plan II is in my blood! I’m excited to help introduce you to this amazing community.
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Isabella Ventura
PII & Finance
Hi y’all!! My name is Isabella, and I’m a born and raised Houstonian - though my family is from Ecuador and El Salvador. I’m going into my senior year here at UT, pursuing a dual-degree in Plan II and Finance.
On campus, I’m involved in Texas Consulting, Longhorn Racing, and Texas Spirits. I’ve also served in the Plan II Students’ Association and currently work as an Admissions Fellow for the P2 office. This past semester, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, an experience just as incredible as my previous May Term in Tokyo. Outside of school, you can find me creative writing, playing pick-up soccer, backpacking in state parks, or attending any EDM events.
Please don’t hesitate to say hi - can’t wait to meet you all!!
Lead Peer Mentor
Shreeya Pulyala
PII & Neuroscience
Hey y’all!! My name is Shreeya Pulyala, and I am an Austin native. I am a rising junior in neuroscience and Plan II honors double major on the pre-med track. I am so excited to be one of your peer mentors for the 2026-2027 school year! On campus, I am a research assistant at the Gonzalez-Lima lab, a part of the P2SA historian committee, and an active member of Texas AED. In my free time, you can find me watching the newest TV-shows/movies with friends, going to Corepower, or exploring Austin’s amazing food and coffee spots. I am so excited to get to know all of y’all and help you navigate freshman year! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or just want to chat!
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Jake Herman
PII & Psychology
Hey y’all! My name is Jake Herman, and I’m a pre-law senior from Southlake, Texas, majoring in Plan II and Psychology with minors in Law, Justice, & Society and Business. Throughout my time at UT, I’ve been involved in organizations such as Plan II Students’ Association, The Daily Texan, and the Plan II KIPP Program. Last summer I worked as a Legislative Intern at the Texas Capitol, and this summer I’m interning in Regulatory Affairs at a global nonprofit. Outside of class, I love exploring new restaurants in Austin, going to concerts (most recently, PinkPantheress), and traveling to new places. This is my third year as a Peer Mentor, so please feel free to reach out if you have any questions - I’m so excited to get to know y’all this year!
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Miriam Carl
PII & Biology
Hey guys! My name is Miriam Carl, and I am a sophomore from Waco, Texas majoring in PII and biology with a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professionals on the pre-med track! Outside of class, you can catch me as secretary for Plan II Pre-Med Society, working in my FRI lab, running with Healthy Celebrations at Town Lake, volunteering at T.A. Brown Elementary, and attending meetings with Global Medical Brigades. I am so grateful to be a member of Chi Omega within Greek-life and to lead a community group through the Austin Stone! Austin is the best, and I cannot get enough of Merit matcha, Trader Joe's dark chocolate, and walks around the lake. Plan II has been the highlight of my time at UT, and I am beyond thrilled to welcome y'all to it!! Please reach out with any questions & I cannot WAIT to meet everyone!
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Reese Saliceti
PII & Sociology
Hi! I’m Reese, a senior from San Antonio, TX, studying Sociology and Plan II, with a minor in Business and a certificate in Ethics and Leadership in Law, Politics, and Government.
On campus, I’m involved as a Texas Orange Jacket, KIPP Plan II mentor, member of the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Institute, Texas Consult Your Community, the Annette Strauss Institute, and I served as a Resident Assistant. I’m passionate about education policy and social entrepreneurship! Beyond academics, I run a custom cake business and recently gave a TEDxUTAustin Talk. Outside of school and work, you can find me going for runs, getting boba with friends, or spending time with my family and my four cats!
I can’t wait to help you feel at home here on the Forty Acres. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, even just to chat about your week!
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Shruthi Juttu
PII & Psychology
Hi guys! My name is Shruthi Juttu, and I'm a rising senior majoring in Psychology and Plan II on the pre-med track. I went to high school in Dallas but live abroad in Saudi Arabia, so I’ve always been big on finding connection and community wherever I am. On campus, I’m involved in the Caminos Lab, volunteer with Crisis Text Line, and serve as the Assistant Merch Director for Texas THON. When I’m not studying, you can usually find me at a coffee shop with a matcha, going on walks with friends, or deep in a Spotify rabbit hole. I also love trying new restaurants around Austin! I’ve loved my time in Plan II so far and can’t wait to share what I’ve learned along the way– so excited to meet y’all!
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Mariam Daghestani
PII & Nutritional Sciences
Hey y’all, I’m Mariam Daghestani! I’m a junior from the Rio Grande Valley and a Plan II & Nutritional Sciences double major on the pre-med track. On campus, I’m involved in the National Arab-American Medical Association (NAAMA) as UT’s chapter president, Plan II Students Association (P2SA) as an Academic Chair (co-chair with Jesmitha, another peer mentor!!), and Plan II KIPP. In my free time, I love walking on the many Austin trails, cooking and creating new recipes inspired by my travels, and playing tennis at Whitaker. I’m so excited to get to know y’all and help you navigate your freshman year on the 40 acres.
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Isaiah Williams
PII & Business Honors & Accounting
Welcome, y’all, to the Forty Acres! My name is Isaiah Williams, and I’m a business honors, accounting, and Plan II junior from McKinney. When I’m not scouring Austin for the city’s best coffee and chicken wings, you can usually find me editing for The Daily Texan (big fan of journalism), line dancing on a Thursday night, or watching football (NFL and college, of course). I’ve tried to make the most of my time at UT. This fall will be my third ACL, and I’m involved with the Global Macro Team and Texas Energy Consulting. I’m also spending the summer interning in McKinsey’s Washington, D.C. office. Whether you’re looking for restaurant recommendations, someone to bounce ideas off of, a study buddy, or just someone to talk about Austin with, I’m always happy to chat. Looking forward to meeting everyone, and I hope y’all are having a great summer!
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Kamsy Alli
PII & Arabic Minor
Hi everyone! My name is Kamsy, and I'm a Junior from Houston, Texas, though I've spent most of my life in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. I'm majoring in Plan II with a minor in Arabic on the Pre-med track, and I'm also pursuing a Bridging Disciplines certificate in Patients, Practitioners & Cultures of Care. On campus, I serve as DEI Chair for the Texas Darlins, am a member of the Black Pre-Health Organization, and volunteer at the Mother's Milk Bank of Austin. Outside of class, you can find me playing pickleball, embroidering, or watching reality TV. I can't wait to meet you all, so don't hesitate to reach out!
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Dhroov Pathare
PII & Neuroscience
Hey y’all! I'm Dhroov. I’m a junior from Coppell, TX, majoring in Plan II and Neuroscience with a certificate in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE). On campus, I’m the Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Undergraduate Research Journal, work in a Chemical Engineering lab, and am part of a team at Texas Engineering World Health building a device for vision assessment in low-resource settings around the world. Outside of class, I'm always down to go hiking or mountain biking, try somewhere new to eat, or make plans for a trip that may or may not actually happen. I also go to a lot of concerts and spend too much time keeping up with shows. Narcos is probably still one of my favorites. I’m really excited to meet y’all and help make your first year feel a little less overwhelming and a lot more fun. Please reach out anytime, even if you just need an Austin food recommendation or someone to talk through your first few weeks at UT with!
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Paris Lack
PII & Studio Art
Hey y'all! My name is Paris Lack and I am from San Angelo, Texas. I am majoring in Studio Art and Plan II while also minoring in Arts Management and maybe Art History! I’m interested in art, writing, and the ways creative work can connect personal experiences to bigger conversations. On campus, I’m involved in the Plan II community and Plan II hiking, and I also spend a lot of time in the studio working with printmaking, painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Outside of class, I love making art, visiting museums, spending time with my cats, hosting dinner parties, and finding cute coffee spots around the city! As a Peer Mentor, I hope to help incoming students feel more comfortable with UT, Plan II, and the transition into college! I’m so excited to meet y’all! Definitely reach out whenever you want to chat at any point!
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Jesmitha Mathew
PII & Government
Hi! I'm Jesmitha, and I'm a junior from Carrollton, TX, majoring in Plan II and Government with a minor in English, on the pre-law track. During my time at UT, I have been involved in Longhorn EMS, Plan II Students Association (P2SA), and the UT Badminton Club, where I served as External Events Officer. In the fall, I will be serving as an Academic Committee Chair for P2SA and participating in mock trial. I love to bake desserts and learn languages, and I also enjoy running with my friends. Please reach out if you have any questions or want to talk about anything! I’m excited to meet all of you, and look forward to supporting and cheering you on as you start your college career in Plan II and at UT!
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Jack Sherman
PII & Government
Hey guys! I’m Jack Sherman, a junior from Baltimore, Maryland, studying Plan II Honors and Government with a Business minor and a Certificate in Public Policy. I’m especially interested in technology policy and AI governance, and I enjoy thinking about how law and public policy can shape emerging technologies.
On campus, I’m involved with my fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, Texas Crew, the Texas Undergraduate Law Journal, and the Plan II Students Association. This year, I’m serving as a TA for the Plan II Signature Course with Dr. Rhonda Evans. Outside of school, I love watching Texas and Cowboys football, trying new restaurants around Austin (especially Thai food), and exploring the city on foot. Being part of Plan II has been the highlight of my experience at UT, and I’m so excited to share that experience with you all this fall!
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Paris Lack
PII & Studio Art
Hey y'all! My name is Paris Lack and I am from San Angelo, Texas. I am majoring in Studio Art and Plan II while also minoring in Arts Management and maybe Art History! I’m interested in art, writing, and the ways creative work can connect personal experiences to bigger conversations. On campus, I’m involved in the Plan II community and Plan II hiking, and I also spend a lot of time in the studio working with printmaking, painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Outside of class, I love making art, visiting museums, spending time with my cats, hosting dinner parties, and finding cute coffee spots around the city! As a Peer Mentor, I hope to help incoming students feel more comfortable with UT, Plan II, and the transition into college! I’m so excited to meet y’all! Definitely reach out whenever you want to chat at any point!
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Alexandra Ulmer-
PII & Math
Hi! My name is Alexandra Ulmer, and I am from San Antonio, TX. I am a rising senior majoring in Plan II Honors and mathematics. This summer, I completed a finance internship in Sweden and explored around Scandinavia. On campus, I am president of the Honors Consulting Association and involved in my FRI stream Big Data in Biology, where I was also a peer mentor. In my free time, I enjoy running, baking, and trying new coffee shops around Austin. I am so excited to meet all of you on campus and feel free to reach out to me with any questions!
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