Peer mentors are students who are currently enrolled at Illinois Tech and have both the personal knowledge and the experience of navigating the academic, co-curricular, extra-curricular, professional, and personal landscapes. Using the collective knowledge of their training and experience, they are available to answer students’ questions about life at Illinois Tech and in Chicago and to share their success stories in order to make your transition more pleasant and less daunting.
Interested in meeting with a peer mentor? Visit our Calendly planner to find a time!
Peer Mentors
Hello friends!
My name is Andrews Acheampong. I am a first-year graduate student studying a Master of Cybersecurity here at Illinois Institute of Technology.
My friends call me a people’s person because of my willingness to serve and to share my experiences with others to help them make better decisions in their lives.
I am fully engaged in CyberHawks; a cybersecurity student association at Illinois Tech and I am passionate about cybersecurity and information technology as a whole. As an international student from Ghana, I have gained precious experiences being in the United States for a year now, and I will say that I can provide valuable Information through my experiences to help make it easier and faster for international students to integrate well in the educational system here at Illinois Tech and the United States as a whole.
I love to listen to music when I’m free and I do love to share my passion with my colleagues. Let’s link up!
Schedule a one-on-one with me on Calendly. Thank you.
Contact: aacheampong@hawk.iit.edu
Hello, everyone! I’m Temitope Adedeji, but you can call me Temi! As an architecture major from the vibrant city of Lagos, Nigeria, I’m thrilled to connect with all of you.
I enjoy reading, cooking, meeting with people, and listening to music.
I’m here to support and assist you on your incredible journey at Illinois Tech. If you have any questions or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to provide a helping hand, share valuable insights, and offer support.
I’m eagerly looking forward to this journey with all of you.
Contact: tadedeji@hawk.iit.edu
Hi guys, my name is Bolu and I am a second-year student at Illinois Tech studying biomedical engineering with a minor in business.
I love to read books of all genres and listen to music. My favorite to listen to right now is group therapy. I also enjoy speaking to people and finding new hobbies by making new friends. Being an international student from Nigeria, I understand how scary the thought of leaving home and starting a whole new chapter in life could be, but college at Illinois Tech has been my best experience so far. Make sure to reach out and speak to me if you have any questions or need any help with anything. I’ll be more than glad to help and to speak to you also.
Contact: barowosafe@hawk.iit.edu
Hi! How are you doing? Do you have any doubts before joining the Hawk family? :D
Let me introduce myself, I am a graduate student in information technology and management at Illinois Tech and I am pursuing a double master’s degree thanks to the agreement between the Technical University of Madrid and Illinois Tech. Moreover, I am part of the Yield Engagement and Academic Coaching programs, in addition to being part of the university’s tennis team and volunteering at the Clinical Nutrition Research Center at Illinois Tech. Finally, I want to tell you that I am also a professional violinist and high-performance handball player in Spain…In short, your fellow hawk!
As an international student, I have experienced many things during my time at the university and I love to help all kinds of students who come with the same doubts that I came to this wonderful university with.
So, what are you waiting for? Join the great Hawk family and be amazed by the campus, the people, the university events, and more at the great Illinois Tech of Chicago! I promise you it will be an unforgettable experience and it will be a cakewalk if you let me help you along the way.
You know where I am! I’m waiting for you! :D
Contact: ubuenocanosa@hawk.iit.edu
Hello! I’m Albert, an enthusiastic second-year M.S. in Data Science student at Illinois Institute of Technology. As a member of the Black Student Union and chapter adviser for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), I empower students from underrepresented backgrounds. Being an international student myself, I understand the challenges of studying abroad. Let‘s connect and navigate your college journey together at Illinois Tech!
Contact: amandizha@hawk.iit.edu
Hey, what’s up? I’m Chinedu, a second-year student here at Illinois Tech majoring in statistics and minoring in economics. I love playing basketball at Keating Sports Center on the weekends and biking through downtown Chicago. I am a mentor in the university’s Empowerment, Leadership, and Mentorship Program which helps incoming students land safely at our college. I am also part of the university’s Ethics Center team where we have one of the largest codes of ethics collections in the world ranging from big tech companies, workers unions, and even the Mafia.
Coming to college for the first time, especially as an international student could be a somewhat unfamiliar, strange, and stressful process. Trust me, I was in your shoes not too long ago. Thankfully, I had amazing peer mentors to guide me through the process and even my journey in Illinois Tech so far.
I would very much like to guide you through the steps of transitioning into college and map out your vision for an ideal college experience. Do reach out, and we could schedule a one-on-one meeting.
Contact: cmgbemena@hawk.iit.edu
My name is Genevieve Onyekaonwu, and I’m a second-year student pursuing my studies in chemical engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology.
In my free time, I find joy and inspiration in various forms of art, including attending art exhibitions, practicing drawing, and watching horror movies. Exploring the city, discovering hidden gems, and immersing myself in music that resonates with me are other activities that bring me happiness. These creative and adventurous pursuits offer endless inspiration and opportunities for self-expression and contemplation.
I’m excited for what the future holds in my academic journey. My goal is to use my education and skills to make a meaningful impact in the world, whether it’s through research, innovation, or advocacy.
Feel free to reach out to me if you need any help navigating campus life as a new student—I’d be more than happy to help!
Contact: gonyekaonwu@hawk.iit.edu
My name is Angela Petrone, I am a fourth year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Digital Humanities. I am an international student from Italy, and I have carried over my hobbies and passions—writing and playing the piano—to Illinois Tech. I am the editor-in-chief of TechNews, our university’s student-run newspaper. I am also a tutor for Computer Science 100–200 at the Academic Resource Center, and I study piano at Vandercook, the music conservatory located on the Illinois Tech’s campus. This year I have received a research fellowship from the Socially Responsible Modeling, Computation, and Design (SoReMo) initiative, an Illinois Tech initiative granting funds to STEM multidisciplinary research proposals.
If you would like to know more about any of this, do not hesitate to schedule a one-to-one call with me!
Contact: apetrone@hawk.iit.edu
Hi there! Hope you’re doing well! My name is Miguel Cozar, and I am here to help and guide you through your process of being part of the Illinois Tech family.
I am a master’s student pursuing an M.S. in Artificial Intelligence. One year ago, like you, my whole life changed completely, and I decided to leave Spain, my home country, to join an adventure that changed me forever. Here I became part of a place, Illinois Tech, in which excellence is combined with an environment of unique diversity and coexistence of cultures.
On campus, I’ve been part of several events, from late-night parties and holy runs to playing soccer on the Illinois Tech internal league. However, I’ve also faced the uncertainty you are facing right now. A year ago, like you, I had the possibility to speak with a mentor that helped me throughout the process, and I want to now give to you what he gave to me.
So, are you ready to let me help you? You know where I am and how to contact me. Let me guide you and join the Illinois Tech family!
Contact: mcozartramblin@hawk.iit.edu
Are you feeling lost? Do you need a buddy? I can be your buddy 😊
I am Shriya Prasanna, a second-year master’s student studying data science. I am an international student from Bengaluru, India. If you have any queries related to courses, on-campus housing, or need some help coping with school and the new phase of life, I am here to assist you.
Please feel free to reach out to me, always ready to help at sprasanna@hawk.iit.edu.
Hey there! My name is Girish Rajani, and I am currently in my second year pursuing my master’s in computer science. I am an international student from Grenada, in the Caribbean. During my free time, I enjoy swimming and playing the violin and piano.
I have had a great experience at Illinois Tech so far and I look forward to sharing that experience with you. As a new student, you may have many doubts about transitioning to this new life.
If you have any questions about life at Illinois Tech, I’m more than happy to help. Let’s talk!
Contact: grajanibathija@hawk.iit.edu
Hello everyone! I’m Muhammad Ans Qadri, and I’m currently a Master of Computer Science student here at Illinois Tech. My passion lies in cloud technologies and innovative software solutions. When I’m not immersed in coding, you can find me exploring the vibrant city of Chicago or diving into thrilling novels.
As a mentor in the Empowerment, Leadership, and Mentorship Program, I have the incredible opportunity to assist incoming students in navigating their college journey smoothly. Additionally, I actively contribute to the Illinois Tech community as part of various student organizations, where I collaborate with like-minded individuals on exciting projects.
I distinctly remember the initial challenges of stepping into college life, and I am grateful for the guidance and support I received from my mentors. Now, I’d love to pay it forward and help you embark on a remarkable college experience. Whether it’s acclimating to campus, tackling coursework, or pursuing your passions, I’m here to provide valuable insights and advice.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me, and we can schedule a one-on-one meeting to kickstart your college journey. Trust me, together we can make this chapter of your life unforgettable!
Contact: mqadri@hawk.iit.edu