Peer Advisors
Contact Information
Graduate Student Peer Advisors serve as informed and knowledgeable resources throughout the academic year to enhance student access to support services, financial aid, mental wellness, professional development, and connection to the broader campus community and programs.
Peer advisors hold office hours each quarter (virtual and in person), attend orientations, facilitate workshops, provide referrals, and send out regular student announcements to help increase student engagement and connection with the broader student community.
Not sure where to go to get answers to questions, access resources, or get support? Would you like to talk to someone outside of your department? Feeling stressed, or wondering if your graduate school experience is normal? A peer advisor is a great first contact!
Aubrie Patterson
Winter 2023 Office Hours
Monday and Thursday, 1:00 to 3:30
and by appointment
Hi all, I am a second-year graduate student in the Experimental Psychology program and a new Peer Advisor for fellow graduate students. As a former overwhelmed first-year grad student, I understand the struggle! Last year, I found I often needed someone to go to who would listen and help me work through various problems, but like most students, my advisor couldn’t be there for me for absolutely everything (plus, sometimes you just want to talk to another student!). In my program, I study effects of interpersonal trauma and barriers to recovery, so I have a strong mental health and wellness lens. My previous work before returning to school was in case management for adults with severe mental illness and marginalized identities, and then I moved into supporting their overwhelmed case managers as a peer mentor and educator. You can come to me to learn about resources in Bellingham, WWU, and the Graduate School that could help you navigate school successfully; to talk through any social, financial, academic, mental health, health or other challenges you are having so we can figure out together where you should go. Or if (like me) you are a non-traditional student and want to talk about what that’s like with someone who gets it. I am also collaborating with the English Department on a project to gather BIPOC graduate student perspectives on what they need for graduate school success, so you can also reach out to me with questions about that project or if you’d like to get involved.
Gabby Wilson
Winter 2023 Office Hours
Mondays 10:00 to 1:00
Tuesdays 10:00 to 12:00
and by appointment
I’m a second-year graduate student in the Experimental Psychology program interested in conservation psychology and promotion of sustainable behaviors. My role as a Graduate Peer Advisor is to support you and other graduate students connecting with resources and community around campus and finding ways to help make your time at Western as fulfilling as possible. I'm excited to get to know you and partner with you on your grad student journey! Please reach out with any questions/concerns, or drop by Peer Advising office hours to chat.