Honors Peer Advising Center

Sofia is originally from Washington, DC, went to High School in Northern Virginia and now resides in Annapolis MD. She is a senior majoring in Exercise and Health Sciences, pre-physical therapy with a focus in sports medicine and a minor is Disabilities Studies. She aspires to go on to receive a dual degree in Physical Therapy and Athletic Training after graduation. She joined the Honors College in the Spring of 2023. Sofia currently works as a Student Athletic Training Aide for the Virginia Tech Football team where you will find her on the field on game days. In her free time, she enjoys going for hikes, exploring the outdoors of Blacksburg and playing pickleball with her friends. As an HPAC peer advisor Sofia wants to encourage students to choose the unbeaten path in the Honors College and try new things! Not everyone has the same Honors College experience but that doesn't mean that every one isn't a good one!

Emily is a senior from Richmond, Virginia. She is a student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences studying exercise and health sciences, with a focus on sports medicine. Emily aspires to attend Physician Assistant school in the future. Outside of the classroom, you can find Emily on the field with Virginia Tech’s football team as a sports medicine student aide. She enjoys spending time working with athletes and athletic trainers during practice and games. Additionally, Emily enjoys running and being active around Blacksburg. Emily joined the Honors College in spring 2024, and has enjoyed collaborating with fellow students as a result. Being a member of the Honors College has been a great opportunity to work with students across all majors and disciplines within the university. Emily looks forward to meeting more students in the Honors College while working as a peer advisor.

Zach is a senior from Cleveland, Ohio. He is majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Psychology and Health Communications. He is on a pre-med track, current in the 25-26 application cycle for medical schools. He joined the Honors College in the spring of 2023. Zach is a goalkeeper on the Virginia Tech Men's Soccer team. He is the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for Virginia Tech Athletics. He is also the president of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-health club on campus. Zach works at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery as a Patient Care Tech. He is passionate about mentoring and helping others. As the communications chair of the Biological Sciences Student Ambassadors, he helps produce a bi-weekly newsletter to help inform biology students at the undergraduate and graduate levels about events and opportunities at Virginia Tech. In his free time, he FaceTimes his dog and cat back at home. As an HPAC peer advisor, he looks forward to being a mentor and a friend to Honors College students as they navigate and explore all the Honors College has to offer!

Hannah Hill is a Senior from Salem, Virginia. She is majoring in Clinical Neuroscience with minors in Adaptive Brain and Behaviors as well as Italian. After she graduates Hannah plans on attending medical school and pursuing a career in Pediatrics. Hannah joined the Honors College upon entry into the University and has taken advantage of many of the wonderful opportunities that honors provides including the Presidential Global Scholars Program. Outside of the classroom, she is an active member of the Virginia Tech Community. She serves as a Floral Design Teaching Assistant, Athletic Training Aide for Virginia Tech Athletics, and the Student Success Intern in the College of Science. Hannah is an advocate for peer leadership and holds leadership positions in Pi Beta Phi, Service Without Borders, and Orthodox Christian Fellowship. Hannah is excited to help other Honors students explore all of the possibilities within the Honors College.

Isabel Lessner is currently a junior from Arlington, VA. She is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Business. She enjoys going to the gym, spending time with animals, taking long walks, and anything related to Disney. Outside of the classroom, Isabel is an active member of Sigma Kappa sorority, where she serves as the Director of Facility Management. She also works as a part-time substitute at a childcare facility, where she enjoys supporting children’s growth and development. Isabel joined the Honors Peer Advising Center to become more involved in the Honors College and to help fellow students make the most of their Honors experience. As a peer advisor, she looks forward to guiding students as they pursue their academic and personal goals.

I am a junior double-majoring in Criminology and Literature and minoring in Philosophy. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, I joined the Honors College in the fall of 2023. After graduation, I am planning to attend law school with a focus on criminal law. I currently serve as an undergraduate teaching assistant for an Honors College course. In my free time, I enjoy reading, baking, cooking, exercising, and listening to music. I am excited to help both incoming and current honors students make the most of their experience within the Honors College. 

I am a sophomore from Northern Virginia. I am majoring in Biochemistry and would like to pursue a career in Pharmacy. I joined the Honors College during the spring semester of my freshman year and am excited to share this experience with my fellow honors students. In my free time I enjoy watching a good show on Netflix, doing gymnastics, spending time with friends and family, and working. As an HPAC peer advisor, I hope to help students outline their goals as they work with the Honors College and to assist them in taking advantage of the opportunities that the Honors College has to offer.

Jillian is a junior studying Chemistry with a minor in Science, Technology, and Law. Upon graduation, she hopes to go right to grad school for a PhD and eventually work for the government as a Research Chemist. She joined the Honors College in the Spring of 2024. Jillian is from the Jersey Shore and loves all things in the water; she was a competitive swimmer for 13 years and now spends her free time on the Virginia Tech Crew Team. Jillian's academic career has never followed the traditional path, so she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with fellow Honors College students looking for guidance.