Peer Liaisons

📧: cayla.waddington@yale.edu
📜: Sociology

Cayla Waddington is a sophomore in the best college (Pierson). West Philadelphia, born and raised, she does in fact love the playground. On sunny days you may find her basking in the sunlight and rehearsing worship songs for Chi Alpha Live. During colder times you can find her in Sterling’s Philosophy reading room sending emails for the Yale Black Pre-Law Association or writing yet another paper about injustice and oppression. Cayla is downright elated to give the PLees a very warm welcome to Yale!

📧: emma.donnini@yale.edu
📜: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

Emma is a senior from Champaign, Illinois. On campus, she’s involved in public health initiatives and research, and in her spare time, you’ll find her turning over obscure corners of Yale’s Jewish music scene (ask her about nigun circle!), taking long walks around New Haven, studying in the Divinity School, and playing Bananagrams with her suitemates. She’s so excited to support her PLees through all the highs and lows of starting college, especially when it comes to settling into and living in religious communities that might look different from home.

📧: gian.lombeyda@yale.edu
📜: English

Gian, a Junior from Los Angeles, California, is a creative writer passionate about scriptwriting, sports writing, podcasting and filmmaking. In his free time, you may find him attempting to recreate pop-rock beats on the drums or analyzing soccer games. Growing up as the representative of his Hindu faith at the local interfaith group, he is passionate about learning about all faiths and spiritualities. He is a member of the Interfaith Forum at Yale and YCC’S Religious and Cultural Policy team. He would love to offer support as a friend and religious peer to first-years as they navigate Yale!

📧: joy.zhou@yale.edu

Joy is a sophomore from Austin, Texas who is interested in philosophy, religion, and birds. She also enjoys writing fantasy and playing violin. She is passionate about interfaith and is involved in various Jewish, Christian, and Buddhist spaces. After struggling with changes to her identity Freshman year, she hopes to help support others exploring what it means to have faith (religious or otherwise). She is willing to drop everything to discuss the Unmoved Mover, debate the Problem of Evil, or simply to play Mario Kart.

📧: michelle.mao@yale.edu
📜: Sociology

Michelle is a junior in Davenport College studying Sociology, with certificates in Chinese and Education Studies. When not talking about her home state of Delaware, you can find her volunteering at local nursing homes with the Nourish Project or in the Davenport pottery studio with her suitemates. Ask her about the weekly Bible study she leads with Christian Union Lux, the fastest way to get from Old Campus to Science Hill, or the second-best place for ice cream on campus (after the Chaplain’s Office). She is looking forward to helping first-years navigate faith and college life at Yale!

📧: owen.hannon@yale.edu
📜: Religious Studies

Owen is a senior in Morse from Raleigh, North Carolina majoring in Religious Studies, with a concentration in medieval Christianity. Outside of class, he is involved with Saint Thomas More, the Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale, trains for triathlons, and loves baking sourdough. He has an identical twin brother, and is always eager to talk about comparative theology, debate why North Carolina barbecue is the best food, or explain how to bake a mean focaccia.