Peer Mentorship
Peer Mentors are sophomore, junior, and senior English concentrators who are committed to making the department a welcoming place. You can reach out to them with questions you'd like to hear another student's perspective on. Whether you're thinking about how to combine English with another field, career plans in creative writing, how to choose a concentration, how to start thinking about a thesis, or just planning your concentration years, these guys are here because they want to help! Send them an email for anything about English that you'd like to ask a fellow student.
2023-2024 Peer Mentors
Abigail Chachkes
Abigail Chachkes, class of 2025, is an English concentrator with a Psychology secondary. She is also a tutor at the Harvard College Writing Center and works with the Harvard Review. She enjoys creative writing, and would love to talk any time about the workshops offered here!
Niyathi Chagantipati
My name is Niya and I’m a sophomore in Lowell House double concentrating in English and Government. I’m pre-law so I can be a relevant point of contact for you in the department. Additionally, I’m a poetry enthusiast. As such, both my research and creative interests follow suit. Looking forward to talking!
Emma Chan
I'm an English concentrator pursuing a secondary in History of Art and Architecture. I'm hoping to go into law and/or go into English academia. I'm also a creative writer, so I'm more than happy to talk to students considering English, creative writing, or interests in the humanities in general!
Izzy Cho
I’m Izzy, a senior at Harvard studying English. I'm deeply committed to exploring how the humanities wrestles with exigent public questions. Put another way: What does language do in the face of injustice, devastation, and social change? I’m thrilled to talk poetry, journalism, law, the future of higher education, English versus other concentrations, cafés, and anything in between.
Sofia Giannuzzi
Sofia is a junior in Lowell House originally from Greenwich, CT. Although she did not plan on concentrating in English when she arrived at Harvard, she took one course in the Barker Center and fell in love—Sofia is now a double concentrator in English and Computer Science. As a combination of her two areas of study, she is currently working on a thesis that explores the effects of artificial intelligence on literature. Though Sofia is eager to assist with any questions regarding the English concentration or department, she is a particularly good resource for students contemplating declaring English, those struggling to manage an interdisciplinary course load, or anyone with thesis-related questions.
Emma Hughes
Hi everyone! I'm Emma, a proud English concentrator in the class of 2025. One reason I love English is its flexibility to study literature in both critical and creative courses. On top of my concentration, I'm also pursuing an Educational Studies secondary and want to go into a career in education. I'd love to talk about education, studying abroad, and creative writing seminars.
Aarya Kaushik
Published poet, journalist with a special interest in South Asian arts criticism, and clinical researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital. Passionate about ethnomusicology (Hindustani, jazz) and the many intersections of literature and medicine. Jointly studying English and Music with a secondary degree in Global Health and Health Policy, and a language citation in Hindi-Urdu. Always happy to talk over coffee :)
Joyce Kim
Hi! My name is Joyce, and I'm a sophomore in Adams House double-concentrating in English and Philosophy. I'd love to talk about this intersection, particularly morality and ethics in literature, as well as more broadly, modernist literature and translated literature. I’m interested in pursuing journalism and plan to attend grad school at some point!
Chelsie Lim
Chelsie is a sophomore in the Harvard/NEC program, studying English and Psychology at Harvard and cello performance at the New England Conservatory. With an interest in journalism and creative nonfiction, she's open to any conversations about using language as a medium to shape interpersonal relationships, and other real-world applications.
Colby Meeks
Hi, I’m Colby, a junior with a secondary field in Educational Studies, pursuing pathways in education and small press publishing. My academic work concerns poetry, and I’m always happy to talk about it, within or outside the departmental context. I’m also happy to talk about departmental support for FGLI students.
Isabel Mehta
Isabel is a senior in Cabot House concentrating in English with a secondary in Economics originally from Philadelphia. She is a student-athlete on the women's lightweight rowing team and is interested in pursuing a creative career in film or television. Ask her about essay-writing, rowing, LA, movies, or why you should study English!
Liv Oster
Hi! I’m Liv, a junior studying English with a Music secondary. I joined the department after considering many humanities fields, including Classics, Comparative Literature, and History. I’m happy to answer questions about choosing to concentrate in English (especially if you have diverse intellectual interests), considering thesis writing, or anything else!
Kyra Siegel
Hi! I'm Kyra, a junior studying English and Art, Film, & Visual Studies. Some of my favorite texts include A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, Notable American Women by Ben Marcus, and Big Swiss by Jen Begin. Outside of the English department, you can find me in theater spaces performing and directing, and in the depths of the Sever basement making films. Excited to chat about all things English and creative writing.
Jessica Wang
Jessica Wang is a sophomore in Eliot House concentrating in English with a secondary in Economics. She's interested in the intersection between law, social justice, and the humanities and how we can use archival tools to elevate voices of the past.
Eliza Zangerl
Eliza Zangerl is an English and TDM double concentrator and member of RCS studying Shakespearean performance. She played the role of Ophelia in Hyperion’s production of Hamlet and is also directing the HCO production of Falstaff January 2024! She is happy to answer questions about her favorite English courses!
Other Advising Resources
For questions about program requirements, course petitions, and general advising, you can always ask the Undergraduate Office.
For more information on proffesional development in English, you can also visit Literary Careers.