Jen has a Bachelor's degree from Oswego State University in Communications and Russian
and a Masters from St. Lawrence University in Counseling and Human Development. Jen
has been advising students for over 20 years. As an active member of NACADA , she
is passionate about the profession of advising and the positive impact it has on student
success.
Favorite Movie Snack: Popcorn with tons of butter Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Schitt's Creek and Bridgerton Dream Vacation: Anywhere in Asia Pets: Dog - Wanda and a Cat - Tommy
Meghan Crist
Meghan Crist, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Advising
Meghan is a Watson College alumnae with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering
and a master’s degree in Systems Engineering, both from Binghamton University. She
worked as a Systems Engineering for 8 years before becoming an Academic Advisor. Meghan
is an advocate and a mentor for all students and is involved with both the Society
of Women Engineers and Girls Who Code on campus.
Favorite Movie Snack: Popcorn with M&Ms mixed in Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Parks & Rec or The Office Dream Vacation: National Parks Roadtrip Pets: 2 dogs, Chewie and Bindi, big orange cat, Merry, and 5 chickens! Class Superlative: Most School Spirit
Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Binghamton University and a master’s
degree in School Counseling from UMass Boston. She’s worked as a school counselor
and as a university counselor, and is a strong advocate for mental health awareness
and encouraging the balance of work and personal obligations.
Favorite Movie Snack: Sour rope candy Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Criminal Minds Dream Vacation: Hobbiton in New Zealand What Would You Bring to a Potluck: Cupcakes with buttercream frosting & sprinkles Class Superlative: Loudest Laugh
Patrick graduated from Marist College in 2017 with a BA in psychology, then went on
to complete a MS in student affairs administration at Binghamton University in 2019.
For his two years as a graduate student, Patrick served as a graduate assistant in
the Services for Students with Disabilities office, where he developed a passion for
educational accessibility. Patrick is a strong advocate for mental health awareness
as well as mental health resources and services provided at Binghamton. He works closely
with our Watson Support and Success Program to ensure students on academic probation
can succeed and return to good academic standing.
Favorite Movie Snack: Movie theater popcorn Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Friends or New Girl Dream Vacation: Japan
Shira is a double Binghamton alumni with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development
and a master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration. She has worked in various
roles at different colleges and has a love for advising students and serving as an
advocate for them.
Favorite Movie Snack: Popcorn with cookie dough candy mixed in Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Friends, Parks & Rec, or The Office Dream Vacation: Scotland (going for my honeymoon!) What Would You Bring to a Potluck: Oreo balls Class Superlative: Most likely to brighten your day
Tetiana has worked on campus since 2018, she started in Campus Mail Services. They
are an open member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and are passionate about inclusion and
labor rights.
Favorite Movie Snack: Raisinets Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Dream Vacation: Iceland for the black sand beaches and somewhere in Scandinavia to see the Northern
Lights What Would You Bring to a Potluck: Something to fill a niche the other dishes don't
Peer Advisors
What Are Peer Advisors?
They're engineering and computer science students just like you.
Peer advisers are typically stationed at the front desk as you enter the Watson College
Advising Office.
These students have received special training to help you work through the experience
of being a Watson College student. They have a deep knowledge of the campus, including
our academic support systems, registration processes and policies, and how to navigate
academic departments. They also know where to go for answers and will save you time
and effort by pointing you in the right direction and making knowledgeable referrals.
From filling out forms to filling up a meal card, they've experienced Watson College
from the inside. And if you need to complete a form, they're also helpful in directing
you to the correct one to fill your need.
Peer advisers are usually rising juniors or seniors who have already experienced much
of what you will go through as a student. They are selected for their strong communications
skills, capacity for discretion, diplomacy, and resourcefulness.
Ashley Ramos, Head Peer
Ashley Ramos
Pronouns: She/Her
Ashley is a senior majoring in biomedical engineering on a pre med track with a minor
in spanish. Outside of the office, Ashley is the President of the Society of Hispanic
Professional Engineers which leads hispanics in stem. Throughout the summer, Ashley
spent her time working at Starbucks and traveling to Florida. In Florida, she went
to disney world and attended a SHPE Presidents Summit Conference called NILA.
Favorite Movie Snack: Nachos Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Vampire Diaries Dream Vacation: European Mediterranean Sea Cruise What Would You Bring to a Potluck: Authentic Birria Tacos Class Superlative: Most able to get along with anybody
Beatrice Arana
Beatrice Arana
Pronouns: She/Her
Beatrice is a senior majoring in computer science. Currently, she is the Marketing
Director for the Watson student organization, a member of Women in Tech, and a Supplemental
Instruction Leader for CS 220. As someone who is also passionate about music, her
dream job would be to work on the technical side of the music industry in the future.
Favorite Movie Snack: Cheetos Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Attack on Titan Dream Vacation: To visit the beautiful Philippine Islands again and get together with relatives What Would You Bring to a Potluck: Sweet desserts, like homemade cakes and banana pudding
Nicholas Arfanis
Nicholas Arfanis
Pronouns: He/Him
Nick is a senior majoring in industrial science and engineering with minors in sustainable
engineering and general anthropology. He is also involved in the Hellenic Cultural
Society, Binghamton Sound, Staging, and Lighting, and the Theta Tau Professional Engineering
Fraternity. Nick has spent the summer working as the summer peer advisor for Watson
Advising.
Favorite Movie Snack: Raisinets Favorite Bingeable TV Show: One Piece or Supernatural Dream Vacation: Backpacking through Europe or exploring Japan What Would You Like to Bring to a Potluck: Stuffed Bell Peppers or Apple Pie and Ice cream Class Superlative: Best Smile
Nicholas Bustamante
Nicholas Bustamante
Pronouns: He/Him
Nicholas is a junior studying computer engineering from Queens, New York. He’s the
student chair for the IEEE branch, along with the co-tech chair for the IEEE student
club. Nicholas is also serving his second year on the SHPE eboard, this time as a
professional chair.
Favorite Movie Snack: Honey Roasted Nuts Favorite Bingeable TV Show: King of the Hill or One Piece Dream Vacation: Carnavales de Columbia Class Superlative: Most Talkative
Molly Doran
Molly Doran
Pronouns: She/Her
Molly is a junior majoring in industrial science and engineering. This summer she
spent her time in the sun, whether that be lifeguarding or at the beach. On campus,
Molly is eager to participate in all programs that advocate for women in the STEM
field. She is also interested in promoting social justice on campus and has participated
in our Women’s March and Pride March.
Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Stranger Things Dream Vacation: Brighton, England What I Would Bring to a Potluck: Rice crispy treats Class Superlative: Most likely to cry happy tears
Antonio Rizzo
Antonio Rizzo
Pronouns: He/Him
Antonio is a senior majoring in computer science and he is also a member of the Professional
Engineering Fraternity here on-campus, Theta Tau. Over the summer, he spent his time
in Norway interviewing and finding work at Norwegian companies, while hiking and traveling
around the country during his free time.
Favorite Movie Snack: Sour Patch Kids Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Ozark Dream Vacation: Italy or Japan What Would You Bring to a Potluck: Triple Chocolate Brownies
Benjamin Seltzer
Benjamin Seltzer
Pronouns: He/Him
Ben is a sophomore studying mechanical engineering and is also a part of Binghamton
Motorsports’ Formula SAE. This summer he went to Florida to enjoy the beaches and
see family.
Favorite Movie Snack: Popcorn Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Breaking Bad Dream Vacation: Hike in Colorado Springs What Would You Bring to a Potluck: Mac & Cheese
Bhavna Sonare
Bhavna Sonare
Pronouns: She/Her
Bhavna is a junior majoring in biomedical engineering with a concentration in pre-med.
This past summer she interned at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center through
the SPURS Program where she conducted research on NK Cells. On campus, Bhavna is involved
with the Alpha Omega Epsilon Sorority where she currently serves as Treasurer.
Favorite Movie Snack: Popcorn, Pocky (not really movie-ish), Ramen and Hot Sauce Favorite Bingeable TV Show: Criminal Minds, K-dramas Dream Vacation: Anywhere as long as it’s not too hot and it’s somewhat quiet What Would You Bring to a Potluck: Coconut water, passionfruit green tea, french biscuits Class Superlative: Most likely to have the highest levels of caffeine
Interested in becoming a Peer Advisor? Keep your eye out for the application on Handshake
in the spring semester!
