Become a Student Mentor
Join us and work with a team of QUADS teachers, faculty members and other undergraduates as we put in the work to create a caring and student-centered learning experience for underserved students in the local community.
Quinnipiac University Advancing Diversity in Science
Meet Our Mentors
Quinnipiac University Advancing Diversity in Science
Meet Our Mentors
Our mentors come from a variety of disciplines including anthropology, education, engineering and biology. Quinnipiac faculty and student mentors partner with local high school teachers and students for a week of team-building, games, improvisational activities, wellness exercises, crafts and more, with student mentors participating in QUADS Pod meetings at each school.
Who Are the QUADS Mentors?
Eda Ahiskalioglu is a second-year health sciences major working towards a physician assistant program. Eda is originally from Meriden, CT and is fluent in Turkish.
Maureen Okang is a third-year biology major minoring in microbiology and immunology minor with a pre-med concentration. She is originally from nearby Southington, CT.
Emma Poirier is a biology major at Quinnipiac University who is also pursuing a Spanish minor. Emma came to Quinnipiac from her hometown of Barre, VT.
Aminata Fofana is in her third year at Quinnipiac. Aminata is a psychology major with a minor in biology as part of a pre-med track. Originally from Orange County, NY, Aminata enjoys lifting, sewing clothes and drawing in her free time.
Mentor Testimonials
Linda Iadarola
Associate Teaching Professor of Biology
"QUADS has an exceptional collection of instructors, mentors and students all working towards the same goals for inclusiveness, equity and learning from one another. I am so proud to belong to this group!"
Jillian Garner '23
QUADS Mentor
"My favorite part of participating in QUADS is the relationship that I am able to build with the faculty, high school teachers, students and my fellow mentors. I can already feel that our impact will be long-lasting and that the students are really open and excited to work with us in their communities."
Sarah Lawson
Assistant Professor of Biology
"My favorite part of participating in QUADS is meeting the next generation of scientists."
Olivia Higgins '23
QUADS Mentor
"I really enjoy being a part of this program because it allows me to connect with so many people I may not have connected with otherwise. Every time we are together as a group we always have meaningful and engaging conversations that reflect our passion for teaching."
Michael Vieth
Senior Instructor of Biology
"My favorite part about participating in QUADS is seeing the excitement in the students' eyes as their questions lead to more questions."