The College of Liberal Arts currently employs nine intelligent, motivated, friendly, and funny Peer Advisors. These Peer Advisors will greet you in the College of Liberal Arts Advising Center, help you during New Student Orientation and/or Group Advising, provide suggestions and advice regarding course selection, and more. Feel free to visit the Advising Center to talk to the Peer Advisors to obtain information and feedback from someone who is trained in Liberal Arts curriculum but also possesses the knowledge that only a Temple student does!

Current Peer Advisors

Name: Leslie Conner
Major(s)/Minor(s): English/Criminal Justice
Class: Sophomore
In CLA Advising since: May,  2011
Graduating in: May,  2014

Bio: Leslie grew up on a small farm in the outskirts of Philadelphia, PA raising chickens, ducks, peacocks, and goats. She has three brothers and sisters, a sister-in-law and a niece or nephew on the way! She is on a Pre-Law track at Temple with a major in English and a minor in Criminal Justice.  In addition to being a CLA Peer Advisor, Leslie is also a member of the Pre-Law Society and volunteers for NOVA. In her free time, she likes to become addicted to TV series (all hail Pretty Little Liars), shop in the city, continue to be a huge Lord of the Rings nerd, and of course, watch the Philadelphia Flyers religiously. Once her time at Temple is over, Leslie hopes to attend Law School and then practice Criminal Law with a focus on Victim’s Advocacy.

Favorite Music: U2, Good Old War, Saves the Day, Brand New, CCR, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Madonna, Pink Floyd, City & Colour, and Something Coroporate/Jack’s Mannequin.

Favorite Animal: Gray Wolves

Name: James (Jimmy) Emmi
Major(s)/Minor(s): English, FMA, Philosophy, Writing Certificate
Class: Sophomore
In CLA Advising since: January 2011
Graduating in: May 2013

Bio: Jimmy grew up in the suburbs of Wilmington, DE where he currently resides during summer and winter breaks. He started out at Temple as an English major, but since then has also been pursuing a double major in Film and Media Arts, as well as a minor in Philosophy and a Writing Certificate (an unsettling combination of indecision and motivation). In addition to being a Peer Advisor, Jimmy is also a liaison for the English Department and a member of T-Lights, Temple’s paranormal investigation society. His hobbies include writing short stories, watching and occasionally making movies, and talking philosophy (with anyone who is willing to respond). After graduating, he hopes to achieve a career as a novelist or script writer and is also considering further study in Philosophy.

Favorite Music: He couldn’t tell you.

Favorite Animal: Dog

Name: Jordan Greenwood
Major(s)/Minor(s): Anthropology/Religion
Class: Junior
In CLA Advising since: May 2011
Graduating in: May 2013

Bio: Jordan grew up in Stroudsburg, PA — about two hours north of Philadelphia, in the Poconos.  Although Jordan originally attended Temple as an Environmental Sciences major, her Race & Diversity GenEd class inspired her to pursue a double major in Anthropology and Religion.  As well as Peer Advising, Jordan is also an Honors Peer Mentor and an active member of Temple University’s Honors Program.  In her free time, she can be found relaxing on campus with friends, reading, playing cards or exploring Center City.  After finishing at Temple, Jordan plans to pursue research opportunities in the Middle East and attend graduate school, with the hopes of becoming a professor herself one day.

Favorite Music: The Beatles, Laura Marling, Regina Spektor, The Kinks, The Raconteurs, Yo-Yo Ma, The Smiths, Amy Winehouse

Favorite Animal: Otter

Name: Bryan Hessert
Major(s)/Minor(s): Italian, Economics
Class: Sophomore
In CLA Advising since: December 2010
Graduating in: May 2013

Bio: Bryan was born into a very large extended family in southern New Jersey just outside of Philadelphia. When first entering Temple, he originally declared a major in Tourism and Hospitality Management, but after a few semesters realized that learning another language and studying another culture was his true passion. He therefore changed his major to Italian, with a minor in economics and is considering a second minor in Political Science. On campus, Bryan is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and is in the TU Honors Program. He loves living in the city and enjoys going to various restaurants and shops downtown. In his spare time, Bryan enjoys staying active, spending time with friends, traveling, reading, and cooking. After graduating, Bryan hopes to pursue an M.B.A. and have a career in foreign relations.

Favorite Music: Angels & Airwaves, Cartel, Mayday Parade, Nicki Minaj, Safetysuit, Sleeping With Sirens, There For Tomorrow, & various others.

Favorite Animal: Tiger

Name: Erica Howell
Major: English
Class: Junior
In CLA Advising since: June 2012
Graduating in: May 2014

Bio: Erica grew up in Lancaster, PA, in an area everyone refers to as “the middle of nowhere.” She is happy to be in Philadelphia, and hopes to live in the city for a long time.  She is currently studying at Temple as an English major, but is debating a future between the Pre-Law track and a career in publishing. In her spare time, Erica enjoys reading, writing, watching the Yankees, and spending time with friends. She also has a bad habit of becoming hooked on Netflix. Once she graduates, Erica hopes to someday be able to write professionally as a novelist, screenwriter, or copywriter.

Favorite Music: Fleet Foxes, Simon & Garfunkel, Sufjan Stevens, James Newton-Howard, Band of Horses, Silversun Pickups, Awolnation, and many others

Favorite Animal: Penguin

Name: Grace Osa-Edoh
Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science, Writing Certificate
Class: Freshmen
In CLA Advising since: May, 2010
Graduating in: May, 2013

Bio: Grace lived in Saint Louis before she moved to Philadelphia in order to attend Temple. She loves Philadelphia culture and would love to live here for a very long time. In addition to being a CLA Peer Advisor, Grace is a member of TU Debate and the TU Mock Trial Team, as well as the Parliamentarian for Temple Student Government. Upon graduation she hopes to go to law school and to eventually practice corporate law. In her spare time she likes to write, read, do debate and mock trial, and of, course, shop!

Favorite Music: Arcade Fire, Imogen Heap, Frou Frou, Noah and the Whale, Beyonce, CelticWoman, Vampire Weekend, Enya, Belle and Sebastian, Bond, Architecture in Helskinki, Michael Buble, TI, The Bird and the Bea, Garbage,Feist, Coldplay, Kanye West

Favorite Animal: Dog

Name: Brett Shinn
Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science; Economics
Class: Junior
In CLA Advising since: June 2012
Graduating in: May 2014

Bio: Brett grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, in the loveable township of Springfield. An avid Philadelphia sports fan, Brett has a fond interest in film and politics. His passion for politics and government stems from his government teacher at the illustrious Springfield high school. A career in film, specifically screenwriting, has been a career aspiration since the early days of middle school. Brett plans on attending law school after graduating with degrees in political science and economics.

Favorite Music: Modest Mouse, The Pixies, Lou Reed, Violent Femmes, Velvet Underground

Favorite Animal: Dog

Name: Holly Trowbridge
Major(s)/Minor(s): Anthropology & French
In CLA Advising since: May 2011
Graduating in: May 2013
Class: Junior

Bio: Holly is from Indianapolis, Indiana, in the good ol’ Midwest. She is open to going to graduate school or obtaining a job after receiving her bachelor’s degree (so basically she has no idea). Holly is a member of the Honor’s Program and participates in intramural soccer here at Temple, a sport which she has played for over 10 years. Because Holly is much younger than her two older brothers, she is already the proud aunt of two nephews and two nieces! When Holly is not busy being a very studious student, she does what little shopping she can do on a college student budget and watches cheesy free On Demand movies in her house with her amazing roommates.

Favorite Music: Beach Boys, The Beatles, Elton John, Matchbox Twenty, Ke$ha, Katy Perry, Brad Paisley, Maroon 5

Favorite Animal: Siberian Tiger