Meet Our UMS Peer-Mentors

The Urban Male Scholars (UMS) peer mentors are dedicated students who are here to support you throughout your journey. Whether you’re adjusting to campus life, navigating academics, or looking to get more involved, our mentors provide guidance, encouragement, and a friendly face who’s been where you are now. Each mentor brings their own experiences and insights, making them a valuable resource for building confidence, connections, and success.

If you would like to be paired with a peer-mentor for the semester, you can complete an application by clicking here.

Abaulet Ange Konan (he, him, his)

BS Health Information Management

Abaulet Ange Konan was inspired to become a Peer Mentor after reflecting on how overwhelming the start of college felt—particularly while navigating online learning and balancing life responsibilities. He hopes to offer his mentees encouragement, practical guidance, and a supportive space where questions are welcomed and confidence can grow. At CUNY SPS, the most meaningful part of his journey has been discovering his own resilience. Through challenging coursework, supportive faculty, and engagement with diverse classmates, he has learned to advocate for himself, manage his time effectively, and believe in his ability to succeed while supporting others along the way. His approach to mentoring is grounded in purpose, empathy, leadership, growth, gratitude, persistence, connection, service, and integrity. He enjoys bringing order to chaos and making complex situations feel more manageable for others. Known for remembering small details and checking in on people, he strives to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued.

Cindy Feng (she, her)

BS Health Information Management

Cindy is passionate about supporting student success and was inspired to become a Peer Mentor through her desire to guide others in navigating college life with confidence. This semester, she hopes to offer her mentees encouragement, practical study tips, and connections to valuable campus resources. For Cindy, the most meaningful part of her journey at CUNY SPS has been building relationships with peers and faculty who have motivated her to grow both academically and personally. A fun fact about Cindy is that she loves traveling to Asia, especially Japan, where she enjoys exploring local cuisine and visiting theme parks.

Corey Pettway (he, him)

BS Business

Corey was inspired to become a Peer-Mentor after navigating CUNY SPS as a nontraditional student balancing work, leadership responsibilities, and academics. He hopes to offer mentees practical guidance, encouragement, and strategies for staying focused and confident throughout the semester. The most meaningful part of his journey at CUNY SPS has been discovering that lived professional experience, when paired with academic rigor, can be a powerful asset rather than a limitation. A fun fact about him is that he is an entrepreneur and creative problem-solver who enjoys turning complex ideas into practical systems that help others succeed.

Dennys Antunish (he, him)

BS Information Systems

Dennys became a Peer-Mentor to give back to the supportive community that shaped his journey at CUNY SPS. Inspired by mentors who helped him grow academically and professionally, he hopes to offer students that same guidance, encouragement, and practical strategies for navigating with confidence. The most meaningful part of his SPS experience has been building communities through projects in AI and student life, as well as leading student initiatives through his presidency at the AI club. A fun fact is that he loves art and has hundreds of artbooks, built and created his own internship at a non-profit, and is constantly experimenting with new skills as part of his love for lifelong learning.

Hajer Al-Banaa (she, her)

BA Psychology

Hajer is passionate about becoming a peer-mentor to support students through navigating college life with practical strategies. Being a college student while having other responsibilities in hand is not easy. She aims to offer mentees a safe place to be heard and valued, along with effective tips and guidance to reach their goals. The most meaningful part of her journey at CUNY SPS has been developing confidence in her academic abilities while balancing multiple responsibilities and personal growth. A fun fact about her is that she loves turning what she learns into ways to help others thrive, reads self-development books and explore new places.

Harmony Olayiwola (she, her)

BA Disability Studies

Harmony Olayiwola is passionate about Peer Mentoring because her own transition to college in the U.S. was not smooth, and she understands how valuable support can be during that journey. Not having a mentor herself inspired her to become the kind of guide she once needed. Currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Disability Studies at CUNY SPS, Harmony hopes to provide her mentees with encouragement, guidance, belonging, and to feel supported. The most meaningful part of her CUNY SPS experience has been serving, connecting with diverse learners, and a supportive community. Fun fact is that harmony likes music and is playful.

Janaah Bryant (she, her)

BA Psychology

Janaah is passionate about building community and supporting her peers. Inspired to become a Peer Mentor through her love for helping others, she hopes to offer encouragement, a listening ear, and practical tips to help mentees thrive this semester. As president of the Psychology Club, one of her favorite parts of her CUNY SPS journey has been connecting with students from all walks of life and sparking meaningful conversations. When she’s not studying, Janaah can be found reading a great book or working as a freelance journalist—always looking for the next story to tell. She dreams of becoming a psychologist.

Petra Schmidt Cabral (he, him)

BS Business

Petra was inspired to become a Peer-Mentor by his own challenges navigating college as an immigrant and multilingual student. Coming to the United States ten years ago, with English as his third language, he learned through trial, self-teaching, and persistence often without guidance, which showed him how vital mentorship can be. This semester, he hopes to offer mentees steady support, active listening, and practical strategies for balancing academics and personal life. The most meaningful part of his CUNY SPS journey has been developing resilience and confidence through overcoming obstacles. A fun fact: he is a keen observer and listener, preferring thoughtful insight.

Saint Lee-Zigler (they, them)

BA Psychology

Saint is inspired by a desire to support others and foster community, they became a Peer-Mentor to offer guidance, encouragement, and practical advice to their mentees this semester. The most meaningful part of their journey at CUNY SPS has been the opportunity to grow academically while balancing life’s challenges, gaining resilience and self-confidence. A fun fact about them is their passion for exploring new music genres, which reflects their open-mindedness and curiosity. This love for discovery helps them connect with others and approach mentoring with creativity and enthusiasm.

Shaindy Weichman (she, her, they, them)

BA Human Relations

Inspired by a passion for helping others succeed, Shaindy Weichman became a Peer-Mentor to guide students through challenges and celebrate their growth. This semester, they aim to provide encouragement, practical strategies, and a listening ear to support mentees in thriving academically and personally. At CUNY SPS, the most meaningful part of their journey has been connecting with a diverse and driven community that fosters both personal and professional development. A fun fact about them is that they acted in the acclaimed film Menashe, showcasing their love for storytelling and creativity beyond the classroom.

Shannon Morton (she, her)

BS Information Systems

Shannon was inspired to be a Peer-Mentor because she’s always loved helping others. From taking her first college courses and participating in open house and helping newer students years ago at ECC to now mentoring for CUNY SPS. Shannon hopes to provide mentees tools, programs, scholarship tips and guidance to help them move through this school semester. The most meaningful part of Shannon journey as a student at CUNY SPS was the fact that no matter the obstacle she made it to her final semester. An interesting fact about Shannon is that she LOVES anime, loves to learn, reading books and vacation to different places and learn different culture.

Symmone Hendrix (she, her)

BA Human Relations

Symmone was inspired to become a Peer Mentor after having an amazing experience as a mentee last semester. Her mentor helped me feel supported and guided me in mapping out my academic and personal goals. This semester, Symmone hopes to offer my mentees the same encouragement, guidance, and sense of connection. One of the most meaningful parts of Symmone's journey at CUNY SPS has been building relationships with people who truly care about growth and community. A fun fact about Symmone: she is currently learning to play the Kalimba, a hand piano; it's a calming and creative outlet I enjoy.

Terquan Oliver (he, him)

BPS Applied Management and Entrepreneurship

Terq was inspired to become a Peer Mentor by a deep belief in the importance of community, access, and support in higher education. This semester, Terq hopes to offer mentees encouragement, practical academic guidance, and support in navigating real-life challenges that often affect student success. The most meaningful part of Terq’s journey at CUNY SPS has been engaging in learning environments that value lived experience while strengthening confidence, leadership, and purpose. A fun fact about Terq is a strong passion for mentorship and education, along with a genuine ability to connect with others and create supportive spaces where students feel seen, motivated, and empowered to persist and thrive.

Tifany Sobers (she, her)

BS Business

Tiffany was inspired to be a Peer-Mentor after having such an impactful relationship with her assigned mentor in the UMS program during her first semester back in the academic college setting. Her Peer-Mentor relationship allowed for her to get back into the academic journey with minimal hardship and she hopes to repay that same favor and fruitful impact to mentees this semester. The most meaningful part of Tiffany's journey as a student at CUNY SPS so far is completing a full four course semester in her first semester back as a student in over 13 years and achieving a 4.0 GPA all while working a very demanding full time corporate job. Tiffany enjoys discovering new cuisines and exploring her culinary depths through experimenting with different cooking and baking dishes from across the world.

Tiya Williams (she, her)

BS Information Systems

Tiya Williams was inspired to become a Peer-Mentor by a passion for helping others succeed and the belief that guidance and encouragement can transform a student’s college experience. This semester, she hopes to offer mentees consistent support, practical resources, and a safe space to share challenges and goals. The most meaningful part of their journey at CUNY SPS has been building connections with peers and faculty who have shaped their academic and personal growth. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Tiya values inclusivity and creating welcoming environments. A fun fact is that she loves long walks, knitting, and baking.

Yhada Nicolai (she, her)

BA Psychology

Yhada became interested in becoming a Peer-Mentor because she loves to help people feel empowered and safe in their academic journey, and she hopes to provide her mentees with constant support, solid guidance, and a safe space to handle things and ask questions with confidence. The most rewarding part of her experience at CUNY SPS so far has been making special connections with her professors and classmates, and she's loved how those friendships have pushed her to continue improving. One of her favorite about herself is that she loves to combine wellness and creativity in her free time, such as sound healing meditation and traveling, which is also how she approaches mentoring, with warmth and an open mind.

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