Peer Mentors and Other Student Leaders
Jefferson Scholars Peer Mentors take the lead in planning outings and group activities for all Jefferson Scholars. These mentors are carefully selected upperclassmen who indicate an enthusiasm for the program and willingness to offer support and guidance to our incoming freshmen. We also have two book club co-presidents, a tutoring coordinator, and a resident assistant in our Living and Learning Community.
If you are interested in becoming a peer mentor, please contact Dr. Dempsey.
Peer Mentors and Book Club Co-Presidents
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Zach Lacy
Zach is a junior studying government and philosophy, with a focus on classical liberal thought, liberal education, Christian theology, and American foundational principles. Additionally, Zach is the president of UT’s Thomistic Institute chapter, a contributor to the Christian academic journal Terrain, and a fellow of the Civitas Institute. Outside of academic work, you may find Zach spending time outdoors, listening to music, engaging in various discourses, or reading literature and watching films. His favorite books are The Brothers Karamazov and Emile. He greatly looks forward to leading peer mentor events and assisting this wonderful program!
zachlacy@utexas.edu
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Hannah Legatowicz
Miss Hannah Legatowicz is a Senior studying philosophy and humanities. The crux of her scholarship examines literature, philosophy, and religion in political revolutions and regimes, notably in 17th century England. Paralleling her academics, she spends her time preparing for law school and/or graduate studies. When Miss Legatowicz is relinquished from her obligations, she can be found reading, writing, and philosophizing with a spot of tea listening to Liszt; or— perhaps more frequently— engaging in discourse with her peers. She is delighted to be a peer mentor and encourage her fellow students to treat their education as an end itself. What a joy it is to learn!
P.s. Her favorite authors (as she writes this) are Dostoevsky, Austen, and Proust.
hl32537@my.utexas.edu
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Peer Mentors
Genevieve Britten
Genevieve is a junior from Manassas, Virginia here to study Music Performance with a Certificate in Core Texts and Ideas and a minor in English. Genevieve recently reached her eighth year playing oboe and hopes to one day have a professional career as a performer and private teacher. In her free time, she loves listening to music, re-watching her favorite cartoon shows, and wood carving small figurines or pendants. She can’t pick a favorite book, but she has a soft spot for poetry by Robert Frost. She can’t wait to get to know the new JSP students this year!
grb2266@my.utexas.edu
Wyatt Bone
Wyatt is a rising junior majoring in government in Liberal Arts Honors with a certificate in Core Texts and Ideas and minors in National Security & International Business and History. He enjoys reading, working out, hiking, the outdoors, concerts, and discovering new music. He is a pre law student and enjoys learning how philosophy influence politics and society today in JSP classes. Outside of JSP, he is involved in the Tejas Club, LAH Student Council, and Longhorn Legal Coalition. He is excited to meet the new Jefferson Scholars and feel free to reach out about anything.
wrb2263@my.utexas.edu
Thi My Linh Bui
Hi everyone! My name is Linh. I’m from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and I’m a sophomore in Biochemistry. During my time at UT, I have been involved in the Freshman Research Initiatives Gene Networks Lab in the College of Natural Sciences and McNair Scholars to prepare for graduate school: I am planning to get a PhD in Biotechnology. In my free time, I usually read, crochet, and try new restaurants and boba places with my friends. I play badminton, and I’m an officer of External Events for the UT Austin Badminton Club. I became a peer mentor because I wanted to help other Jefferson scholars enjoy the program as much as I did in my freshman year, and I am very excited to meet you guys!
mylinh2672000@gmail.com
Conrad Craig
Conrad is a Sophomore majoring in History, and plans to double major in Strategy and Statecraft. He is especially interested in military and diplomatic history. Conrad is in Army ROTC, plays Intramural Soccer, and is an active member of the Diplomatic Table Organization. In his free time, he enjoys reading, watching movies, dominating trivia nights, and trying new restaurants with friends. His favorite book is The Old Man and the Sea. He has made many friends in JSP and hopes to make many more as a peer mentor this coming semester.
ctc2853@my.utexas.edu
Rowen Hamilton
Rowen is a prelaw junior studying Government and Plan II Honors. He takes a special interest in topical political issues, moral philosophy, liberal government, and the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a Sumners Scholar and a former American Legion Boys Nation Senator from Texas. He served as Chief of Staff for the University of Texas Student Government and as Lead Editor for Accessing the Law Undergraduate Law Review. When he is not in class, Rowenenjoys reading, listening to music, attending plays, and any outing with good friends. Rowen’s favorite book is Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, and his favorite band is Genesis. Rowen is excited to meet new Jefferson scholars and encourages you to reach out!
rah4842@my.utexas.edu
Sasi Kondru
Sasi is a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and is also pursuing the Business Foundations minor and Core Texts And Ideas Certificate! She's involved in several clubs and initiatives, such as Design For America, WiSTEM, and Meow Mates. She's super excited to serve as a Peer Mentor! Feel free to reach out to her if you have any questions, want advice, or just want to chat!
sk59466@my.utexas.edu
Rasikapriya Krishna
Rasika is a junior double-majoring in Psychology and Anthropology in the Liberal Arts Honors Program with a minor in Government and certificates in Core Texts & Ideas and Children & Society. She’s especially passionate about exploring how children imagine, reason, and make sense of the world around them. Outside of class, Rasika loves going to concerts, reading, and heading out on spontaneous boba runs. She’s so excited to be a peer mentor this year and to meet the new JSP Scholars! Whether you have questions about classes, research on campus, or just want to hang out, feel free to reach out to her!
rasikapriya.krishna@utexas.edu
Zach Lacy
Zach is a junior studying government and philosophy, with a focus on classical liberal thought, liberal education, Christian theology, and American foundational principles. Additionally, Zach is the president of UT’s Thomistic Institute chapter, a contributor to the Christian academic journal Terrain, and a fellow of the Civitas Institute. Outside of academic work, you may find Zach spending time outdoors, listening to music, engaging in various discourses, or reading literature and watching films. His favorite books are The Brothers Karamazov and Emile. He greatly looks forward to leading peer mentor events and assisting this wonderful program!
zachlacy@utexas.edu
Hannah Legatowicz
Miss Hannah Legatowicz is a Senior studying philosophy and humanities. The crux of her scholarship examines literature, philosophy, and religion in political revolutions and regimes, notably in 17th century England. Paralleling her academics, she spends her time preparing for law school and/or graduate studies. When Miss Legatowicz is relinquished from her obligations, she can be found reading, writing, and philosophizing with a spot of tea listening to Liszt; or— perhaps more frequently— engaging in discourse with her peers. She is delighted to be a peer mentor and encourage her fellow students to treat their education as an end itself. What a joy it is to learn!
P.s. Her favorite authors (as she writes this) are Dostoevsky, Austen, and Proust.
hl32537@my.utexas.edu
Elif Painaik
Elif is a junior double majoring in Government and Economics with a certificate in Core Texts & Ideas and a minor in Law, Justice, and Society. She is a pre-law student and is active in several on campus organizations as well as in local politics. In her free time she enjoys hiking, playing the violin, and hanging out with her two cats. She's excited to provide support for the newest class of Jefferson Scholars!
epainaik@utexas.edu
Sylvie Ruseva
Sylvie is a sophomore majoring in psychology (B.S.) with a certificate in Core Texts and Ideas. She is interested in cognitive psychology and the intersection between psychology and philosophy. Outside of class, Sylvie enjoys making arts and crafts, watching shows, researching topics that interest her, reading, rock climbing, and spending time in nature. She is so excited to meet the incoming JSP students! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just want to hang out!
sdr3288@my.utexas.edu
Alvin Xu
Alvin Xu is a rising senior double majoring in Government Honors and Sociology, with a focus on Constitutionalism, civic engagement, and studying causes of and remedies to political partisanship. Alvin has served as Committee Chair in the first-ever student-led Model Constitutional Convention held by Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, and has spent this summer broadening their foreign policy expertise studying abroad with the Clements Center for National Security's London Maymester and the Global Challenges in Europe program. On campus, they serve as the Director of the Asian Desi Pacific Islander American Coalition, promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding between Asian communities, and Secretary for Gamma Rho Lambda, UT's first and only LGBTQ+ Greek organization. Alvin is an avid enthusiast for having deep conversations on modern politics and human nature; playing strategy board and video games; and reading fantasy fiction, manhua, and webtoons. They are excited to help students find community and discover all the great opportunities ready for them in JSP and the 40 Acres as a whole. Feel free to reach out!
alx66@my.utexas.edu
alx66@my.utexas.edu
DJ Wu
Born and raised in Austin, Dixon Wu is a Junior pursuing a truple major in Plan II, Business Honors, and Accounting with a certificate in Core Texts and Ideas. He is a Fellow at the Civitas Institute and serves as the President of UT’s Undergraduate Moot Court Team. Dixon is also an active member of Ignite Texas Ministries, where he helps incoming freshmen get connected to the local church and Christian community on campus. In his free time, Dixon enjoys playing spike ball and discussing good books with friends. Upon graduating Dixon hopes to utilize his passion for debate and legal analysis by attending law school.
djw3141@gmail.com
Anna Thielemann
Anna Thielemann is a second year student studying Corporate Communications in the Honors Program with a business minor here at the University of Texas. In her free time, she enjoys songwriting, tennis, exploring Austin with friends, participating in RUF, (attempting to) bake, and staying active. Most of all, she enjoys meeting new people and is very excited to organize fun events and get to know everyone!
acthielemann@gmail.com
More JSP Student Leaders
The Jefferson Center partners with Communities in Schools to provide reading buddies and tutors to children in Austin public schools. If you’re interested in volunteering, please follow the link above to register as a “Community Volunteer.” Then please contact Aidan Cournoyer, our tutoring coordinator and let him know your availability and whether you have a car. Aidan can tell you more about the program as well.
Click here for testimonials from JSP tutors on their experiences.
Aidan Cournoyer
Tutoring Coordinator
Aidan Cournoyer is a third-year Social and Behavioral Data Science and Government double major with an additional minor in UTeach Liberal Arts and a certificate in Core Texts and Ideas. He is interested in education policy, and more generally, in improving systems of education across K-12 and at the college level with a particular interest in civic education. Outside of his professional life, Aidan is an outdoor enthusiast with a love for hiking and a fascination with local birds and is a small-time pen-maker. If you would like to know more about JSP's tutoring program, or if you have any questions about Aidan's work and positions, he would be more than happy to speak with you!
apc2749@my.utexas.edu
Emma Warren
LLC-Peer Mentor
Emma is a sophomore majoring in English with a Core Texts and Ideas Certificate. She is a member of several organizations on campus, such as The Daily Texan and the UT English Council. In her free time, Emma enjoys attending local music shows and hiking with friends. She loves the Jefferson Scholars Program and is thrilled to be working as an LLC Peer Leader this year!
egw862@my.utexas.edu
Gabriella Mauldin
Gabby is a sophmore majoring in biology. She is excited to be back in Austin this fall to explore all there is to offer inside and outside of the university. She is passionate about Star Wars, cold brew, farmers markets, and all things active and outdoors! Gabby is excited to meet all the incoming JSP and says please reach out at any point this year if you think she can be helpful!
gmauldin@utexas.edu
Justice Morris
Justice is a second year history and Latino studies double major, alongside being in Liberal Arts Honors. She is active on campus, a published author, who writes for The Liberator and Her Campus at Texas. In her free time, she loves boba runs, going to concerts, and soaking in the sun. She is ready to lend a helping hand to those who are in need!
justice.elise@utexas.edu
Paige Patton
Paige is a second-year student majoring in Government on the pre-law track. She enjoys reading, spending time with her loved ones, and exploring all Austin has to offer. She is so excited to meet the new JSP students and help them on their college journey.
Paigevpatton@utexas.edu
Aurelia Savener
Aurelia is a sophomore majoring in psychology on the pre-med track, with a minor in core texts and ideas. Some of her hobbies include reading, knitting, playing video games, volunteering, and swing dancing. She is very excited to be a peer mentor this year, meet lots of new people, and plan fun events for everyone to hang out at together!
aureliasavener@utexas.edu
Julia Thompson
Julia is a second year history and government double major. Besides Jefferson Scholars, she is also a member of Texas Spirits, and plays the cello in an on-campus orchestra called EChO.
j822thompson@gmail.com
Molly Tompkins
Molly is a sophomore majoring in Plan II and English, as well as studying Creative Writing. She enjoys running, writing, participating in RUF, baking, questioning, and hanging out with friends. She cannot pick a favorite book, but she has deeply enjoyed The Brother’s Karamazov, Manalive, and East of Eden. Please feel free to reach out to her to talk about anything—but especially books.
mollyrosst@icloud.com
Nicolas Boyd
Tutoring Coordinator
Nicolas is a third-year history and Health & Society double major. He has a deep appreciation for trivia, travel, and family dinners. He is an avid outdoorsman, the president of Texas Trap and Skeet, and JSP's tutoring coordinator. If you would like to know more about JSP's tutoring endeavors, or if you have any questions about UT, Nicolas would be more than happy to speak with you.
nicolasboyd24@gmail.com
Alexix Hoeller
RA for LLC
Alexis is a third year International Relations and Global Studies & Asian Cultures and Languages double major. Outside of being a Jefferson Scholar and RA, Alexis is the President of Texas Spirits and is involved in UT’s Clements Center and Student Conduct Board. She’s excited to connect with new residents and JSP students this year!
(NB: Alexis is part of the mentoring program, but since she's the LLC's RA, she cannot accept students for mentoring requests!)
alexishoeller@utexas.edu
Gabriella Mauldin
Gabby is a sophmore majoring in biology. She is excited to be back in Austin this fall to explore all there is to offer inside and outside of the university. She is passionate about Star Wars, cold brew, farmers markets, and all things active and outdoors! Gabby is excited to meet all the incoming JSP and says please reach out at any point this year if you think she can be helpful!
gmauldin@utexas.edu
Justice Morris
Justice is a second year history and Latino studies double major, alongside being in Liberal Arts Honors. She is active on campus, a published author, who writes for The Liberator and Her Campus at Texas. In her free time, she loves boba runs, going to concerts, and soaking in the sun. She is ready to lend a helping hand to those who are in need!
justice.elise@utexas.edu
Paige Patton
Paige is a second-year student majoring in Government on the pre-law track. She enjoys reading, spending time with her loved ones, and exploring all Austin has to offer. She is so excited to meet the new JSP students and help them on their college journey.
Paigevpatton@utexas.edu
Aurelia Savener
Aurelia is a sophomore majoring in psychology on the pre-med track, with a minor in core texts and ideas. Some of her hobbies include reading, knitting, playing video games, volunteering, and swing dancing. She is very excited to be a peer mentor this year, meet lots of new people, and plan fun events for everyone to hang out at together!
aureliasavener@utexas.edu
Julia Thompson
Julia is a second year history and government double major. Besides Jefferson Scholars, she is also a member of Texas Spirits, and plays the cello in an on-campus orchestra called EChO.
j822thompson@gmail.com
Molly Tompkins
Molly is a sophomore majoring in Plan II and English, as well as studying Creative Writing. She enjoys running, writing, participating in RUF, baking, questioning, and hanging out with friends. She cannot pick a favorite book, but she has deeply enjoyed The Brother’s Karamazov, Manalive, and East of Eden. Please feel free to reach out to her to talk about anything—but especially books.
mollyrosst@icloud.com
Nicolas Boyd
Tutoring Coordinator
Nicolas is a third-year history and Health & Society double major. He has a deep appreciation for trivia, travel, and family dinners. He is an avid outdoorsman, the president of Texas Trap and Skeet, and JSP's tutoring coordinator. If you would like to know more about JSP's tutoring endeavors, or if you have any questions about UT, Nicolas would be more than happy to speak with you.
nicolasboyd24@gmail.com
Alexix Hoeller
RA for LLC
Alexis is a third year International Relations and Global Studies & Asian Cultures and Languages double major. Outside of being a Jefferson Scholar and RA, Alexis is the President of Texas Spirits and is involved in UT’s Clements Center and Student Conduct Board. She’s excited to connect with new residents and JSP students this year!
(NB: Alexis is part of the mentoring program, but since she's the LLC's RA, she cannot accept students for mentoring requests!)
alexishoeller@utexas.edu