Matt Trybus, M.Ed.

PASS Coordinator, Instructional Faculty

trybusmj@jmu.edu
Contact Info

Matt Trybus is the Coordinator of PASS. Matt holds an M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Administration from the University of Vermont, a teaching license from Saint Michael’s College, and a B.A. in History from the University of Montana. Prior to coordinating the PASS program, Matt served as Assistant Director of James Madison’s Office of Disability Services for 7 years. In addition to working with members of the JMU community to realize their potential, Matt is passionate about his family, friends, cycling, food, and balance.

Yang Liu, Ph.D.

PASS Coordinator, Instructional Faculty

liu38yx@jmu.edu
Contact Info
Website

Yang Liu is the Coordinator of Peer Assisted Study Sessions and an Assistant Professor in Psychology. She received her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University. Her research interests include risk and resilience factors on the academic success of college students, socioemotional development in childhood and adolescence, and the effectiveness of educational technology. She is passionate about supporting student success both academically and emotionally. Outside of work, she enjoys playing educational and psychological games with her husband and three children.

Becca Bailey (She/Her)

Becca is a second-year graduate student in the MA/Ed.S. School Psychology program. She graduated from Randolph-Macon College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, complemented by double minors in Behavioral Neuroscience and Music. Becca aspires to work as a school psychologist in a public school setting, where she aims to be an advocate for equitable educational opportunities for all students. In her free time, Becca enjoys adventuring with her dog, hiking, music, and creating art.

Jack Gallagher

Jack is a senior biology major with a pre-PA minor from Fairfax, VA. This is his second year on the leadership team for PASS and he has been a PASS leader since his sophmore year. Some of his interests include basketball, backpacking, playing guitar, and all things Marvel and Star Wars. He is also involved in BBB, Intervarsity, and Alzheimer’s Buddies at JMU.  

Jaimin Ashra

Jaimin is a senior chemistry major from Charlottesville, VA. This is his first year on the leadership team and his third semester as a PASS leader. During his free time, he likes hiking, playing video games, and listening to music. 

Kayla Wagner

BIO 140 - Tracy Deem

Hi! I am a freshman majoring in biology with a pre-medicine and honors minors. I am from Mendham, New Jersey, and I enjoy reading and baking, and hiking. This is my first semester doing PASS, so I am extra excited to meeting everyone! 

Ella Kraft

BIO 140 - Halsell

 Hi!! My name is Ella Kraft and I’m a freshman biology major with a pre-physician assistant minor. I am from Richmond, Virginia and I love hanging out with friends, coffee, reading and being outside! I am super excited for this semester and to meet everyone!

Tyler Goldstein

BIO 140 - Terrie Rife

Hi!! I’m a senior biology major from Manalapan, NJ. This is my third semester as a PASS leader with Dr. Rife. I also volunteer at the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad and am a crisis counselor with the Crisis Text Line! Outside of PASS, I enjoy going outdoors, whether that be surfing, hiking, or running! I'm so excited to meet all of you!  

Koya Chandler

BIO 140 - Liz Doyle

Hi! My name is Koya Chandler and I’m a senior from southern Virginia. I’m majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Pre-dental. I love hanging out with my friends and being outdoors. Please feel free to come to any sessions, even if you do not have Dr. Doyle as a professor and ask me literally anything. I am so excited for this semester and to meet all of you!  

Charlie Gully

BIO 150 - Joe Harsh

Hey everyone! I’m a junior biology major with a minor in pre-med. I grew up in England but moved to Northern Virginia 7 years ago. This will be my second semester doing PASS. Outside of school, I enjoy playing rugby, piano, hanging out with friends, and I love going snowboarding whenever I can in the winter! I’m excited to meet everyone this semester! 

Cody Lamb

BIO 150 -Abby Goszka

Hi! I am a sophomore majoring in Psychology and pre-medicine. I’m from King George, Virginia and also work on-campus as an RA at Paul Jennings Hall. I volunteer with FCSS, and outside of academics I enjoy reading self-published books as a reviewer and drawing! I’m looking forward to meeting with all of you and to have a great semester! 

Elizabeth Wilson

BIO 150 - Katrina Gobetz

Hi! I’m Leeza and I am a Junior Psych major with minors in Biology, Honors, and Pre-PA. This is my second semester as a PASS leader and I am so excited for what this year brings! Outside of class, I am a member of a sorority on campus as well as Club Tennis. I look forward to meeting everyone this year!   

River Schleifer

BIO 150 - Rosario Marroquin Flores

 Hi! My name is River and I'm a Sophomore Interdisciplinary major with a pre-dental and WRTC minor. My Interdisciplinary major is on the application of adaptable scientific literature and medical communication! This is my first semester being a PASS leader and I’m very excited to meet everyone! 

Olivia Gorra

BIO 245 - Kristin Yoshimura

Hello everyone! My name is Olivia Gorra (she/her) and I’m a Senior Dietetics major. I am so excited to PASS for the first time for Microbiology! I love reading and learning new things and I have two cats that I’m very obsessed with. I look forward to working with you this semester! 

Marisol Ballout

BIO 245 - Morgan Steffen

Hi everyone! I’m Marisol and I’m a Health Science major with a pre-PA minor from Richmond, VA. Outside of class I enjoy hanging out with friends, traveling, and being outside. I’m excited to meet everyone and have an amazing semester full of Microbiology! I look forward to it!  

Ashleigh Bethea

BIO 270 - Justin Brown

Hi everyone! My name is Ashleigh and I’m a junior from Radford, VA. I’m a Health Sciences major on the Pre-PA track and this is my first semester as a PASS leader. Outside of class, I love finding new places to explore around Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley, and I’m a member of a sorority on campus. I’m so excited to meet everyone and have a great semester with you all! 

Gabriella Paliotti

BIO 270 - Jess Marquardt

Hey everyone! My name is Gabby Paliotti and I am Junior from Rhode Island. I'm a Health Sciences major on the Pre-PA track and this is my first semester as a PASS Leader. Outside of class, I enjoy going to the gym and hanging out with my friends. I’m so excited to meet everyone and have a great semester with you all! 

Tyler Green

BIO 270 - TJ Hynd

Hello everyone! My name is Tyler Green and I am a junior from Roanoke, VA. I’m a Health Sciences major with a Pre-PA minor and this is my first time being a PASS leader. Away from the classroom I am a member of the club golf team and in the Pre-PA club. I am so excited for this opportunity and I can’t wait to meet everyone!! 

Kylie Conway

BIO 290 - Kilkenny

Hi, I’m Kylie! I am a sophomore Nursing major and I’m from Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. This is my second semester as a PASS leader for human anatomy. Besides PASS, I am on the women’s club basketball team, and I’m also in the Nursing Student Association.  I am so excited to get to know everyone this semester! 

Asiedua Adu-Gyamfi

BIO 290 - Bryan Cage

Hello, I am Asiedua. I am a sophomore Nursing major from Centreville, Virginia. This is my first time being a PASS leader, and I am excited to be a part of this team. Besides being a PASS leader, I am a Mosaic Ambassador for the Center of Multicultural Student Services. I am also the event coordinator for African Student Organization. I am excited for a great semester!  

Lauren Maringola

BIO 290 - Bisi Velayudhan

Hi everyone! My name is Lauren, and I am a senior Health Sciences major on the Pre-Physician Assistant track with a minor in Honors. I am from Cheshire, Connecticut and this is my second semester serving as a PASS Leader! I am really looking forward to getting to know you all! Outside of PASS, I am a member of Alpha Omega Epsilon, a sorority for women in STEM, and I also take part in the Pre-Physician Assistant Club. I am excited for the semester ahead and cannot wait help you succeed! 

Ava Johnson

CHEM 120 - Trost

Angelina Churchro

CHEM 120 - Coplan

 Hi! My name is Angelina, and I am a freshman nursing major from Virginia Beach. In my free time, I love baking, reading, and spending time with friends. This will be my first semester as a PASS leader, and I am excited to meet everyone. 

Jaimin Ashra

CHEM 131 - Wilson

I’m a senior chemistry major from Charlottesville, VA. This is my third semester as a PASS leader, and I’m excited to work with all of you. During my free time, I like hiking, playing video games, and listening to music.   

Erin Garvert

CHEM 131 - Chen

Hi! My name is Erin Garvert, and I am a senior Health Sciences major with Pre-Medicine and Pre-Dentistry minors. I’m from Vienna, VA, and I love playing and watching sports, spending time with my family and friends, and going to the beach. This is my fifth semester as a PASS leader, and I’m excited for a great semester with everyone! 

Payton Stavalone

CHEM 131 - Funck

Hi everyone, I’m Payton. I am a senior psychology major with a pre-medicine minor. This is my second semester as a PASS leader. I am from New Jersey, and I enjoy working out, spending time with my family and friends, and journaling. I am excited to get to know you!

Gavin Short

CHEM 132 - Long

Hi everyone! My name is Gavin, and I am a Psychology Major with a minor in Biology and Pre-Medicine. I am very excited as I will be a first time PASS Leader for Chem 131 with Dr. Zhang.  I also do research in the Psychology department as well as volunteer at Harrisonburg Rescue Squad. I look forward to seeing everyone this semester! 

Taylor Newman

CHEM 132 - Tam 

Hello, my name is Taylor Newman, and I am a senior Chemistry major and Honors minor from Doylestown, PA. This is my third semester as a PASS leader for Dr. Tam. Beyond PASS, I am a chemistry tutor in the SMLC, and I am a student ambassador. I look forward to working with you all this semester.  

Jackson Vickers (He/Him)

CHEM 132 - Blumling

Hi everyone, my name is Jackson (He/Him), and I am a biology major with minors in biochemistry/molecular bio and pre-medicine. This is my fourth semester as a PASS leader for CHEM 132 with Dr. Blumling. I love holding these study sessions, and I find that the students I work with think they’re quite helpful! Some more about me: I love music and reading, I’m in an ornithology (birds) research lab, and I am the president of BBB, our school’s Biology Honors Society. 

Jack Gallagher

CHEM 132 - Liu

Hi there, I’m a biology major with a pre-PA minor in my last year here at JMU! I’m from Fairfax, VA and some of my interests include basketball, backpacking, playing guitar, and all things Marvel and Star Wars. I’m also involved in BBB, Intervarsity, and Alzheimer’s Buddies at JMU. I’ve been working as a PASS leader since I was a sophomore, and it’s always been an absolute highlight of my semester. Looking forward to another year of this amazing program! 

Kayla Asgari

CHEM 242 - Hollinsed

Hello everybody! My name is Kayla Asgari; it is lovely to meet you all! I am a Senior Health Science major, pre-dentistry and honors minor. I am pumped to be a PASS leader this semester for Dr. Hollinsed’s CHEM 241 class! I participate in research with Dr. Hollinsed as well, which has been such an amazing experience. I hope to support you and make all of you super successful! 

Daisy Anderson

CHEM 242 - Lewis

Hi! I’m a Senior biology major from Vienna, VA. This is my first semester as a PASS leader for CHEM 241 with Dr. Lewis. Beyond PASS, I serve as Vice President of Scholarship on the Panhellenic Executive Board and am a member of JMU’s Biology Honor Society (Tri Beta). I enjoy running, reading, and spending time with friends. I hope to support you and make all of you very successful this semester! 

Nathan Morris

CHEM 242 - Mohler

Hey everyone! I am a senior chemistry major from Bristow, VA. I am a chemistry tutor at the Science and Math Learning Center (SMLC), I do research in the chemistry department with Dr. Boardman, and this is my first semester being a PASS leader! I’m super excited to help you all on this journey of Organic Chemistry and I hope you are all ready to get started.  

Melissa Acors

COB 191 - Teymourian

Hey! My name is Melissa Acors and I am from Richmond, VA. I am a sophomore Finance major graduating a semester early and this is my first time being a PASS leader! I try to stay as busy as possible and love hanging out with friends while also really utilizing everything that JMU has to offer. I always love to talk about dogs and any animals, and I am a lover of all things in life! I am so excited to give back to JMU and assist students that are in the same position I was in, and have some fun along the way. I made some great friends through PASS sessions and even keep in touch with my PASS leaders to this day even after they have graduated.  

Kavin Baskaran

COB 291 - Novoa

Chloe Le

COB 291 - Atef-Yetka

Hi! My name is Chloe. I am from Hanoi, Vietnam. I am a Senior Computer Information System major. This is my first semester doing PASS Leader for COB291 with Professor Hoda and Hassani. Beyond PASS Leader, you can find me at UREC in Pilates and pickleball sessions. I am excited to meet and work with all of you to make progress in this course.   

Jack McFalin

COB 291 - Hassani

 Hey everyone! My name is Jack and I am from Reston, VA. This is my first semester as a PASS Leader with Professor Hassani. I am a Finance and Accounting double major, and I look forward to meeting everyone. Outside of PASS I play Ultimate Frisbee and I enjoy hanging out with my friends and skiing. 

Michael Karjavine

COB 291 - Novoa

Hello! My name is Michael Karjavine. I am from Richmond, VA, but I spent most of my life in Europe. I am a Sophomore Finance and Computer Information Systems major. This is my first semester being a PASS Leader. I love doing different sports like swimming, soccer, and snowboarding. I am looking forward to meeting and working with all of you!  

Hannah Porter

COB 291 - Lamsal

Hello! My name is Hannah, and I am a senior Accounting major from Northern Virginia. This is my first semester as a PASS leader with professors Lamsal and Hassani. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and exploring the world of business analytics. Outside of school, I love being outdoors, cooking, and spending time with friends. 

Rafael Dietsch

CS 149 - Ayub

Hey there! My name is Rafael, an undergraduate senior computer science student with minors in robotics and honors. I’m glad that I get to work with you all and see you grow an interest in this awesome field! I’m originally from the Dominican Republic, but reside currently near Richmond, VA with my parents, 2 younger siblings, and 3 dogs! In my free time, I play video games, sketch, and go Latin dancing with friends. I hope this semester treats all of you well and I am excited to meet you! 

Kiersten Coleman

MATH 110 - Gibson

Hi! My name is Kiersten and I am a sophomore from King George, VA. I have an Elementary Education major and a Coaching Education minor. This is my second semester  leading P ASS and I am doing it for MATH 110 with Prof. Jenny Gibson. MATH 110 was one of my favorite classes so I am super excited.  

Sammi Shaw

MATH 155 -  Busi 

 Hello! My name is Samantha Shaw, but you can call me Sammi! I’m a freshman from Skaneateles, NY.  This is my first semester as a PASS leader and I’m very excited! I’m a marketing major and I hope to minor in graphic design. Outside of school and PASS, I love being outside, especially doing watersports on the lake. I also love to workout, paint, and spend time with family and friends. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you! Go Dukes! 

Michelle Lyons

MATH 205 - Koch

My name is Michelle Lyons, and this is my sixth semester as a PASS leader. I am a senior finance major/math minor from Herndon, VA. I’ve always enjoyed PASS and helping students strengthen their quantitative skills. Outside of work, I enjoy fitness, cooking, and videography.  

Ava DeWald

MATH 210 - Willingham

Hello everyone! My name is Ava DeWald, and I am from Haymarket, VA. I am a Junior Elementary Education Major with a Minor in TESOL. I am a first-time PASS leader for Professor Willingham’s Math 110 course. That said, I am very excited to meet with you all this semester! Outside of PASS, I work as a private tutor and am a member of Kappa Delta Pi and TEACH ambassadors. Get ready for a fun and productive semester. Roll Dukes!  

Kaitlyn Salyer

NUR 353 - Mason & Herron

Hi, my name is Kaitlyn, and I am a senior Nursing major and a Chronic Illness minor in my 4th semester of the nursing program. I am from Winchester, VA and this will be my second semester leading NPASS for Pathophysiology and Pharmacology with Dr. Mason and Dr. Herron. I believe that pharmacology is an essential skill for new nursing students, and I hope that I can help assist in their transition to nursing school! I am looking forward to a great semester!  

Zoe D'Amato

NUR 356 - Landes & Beckler

 Hi! I am a 4th semester nursing student and PASS leader for Clinical Applications 2 from Fairfax, VA. I graduate in May 2026 and I am hoping to work in pediatrics or the ED. Beyond school, I enjoy being with my friends and puppy (Ben). I also enjoy doing art projects and binging Netflix shows like Stranger Things. I am very excited to be working with you and I know we are going to have a great semester together!  

Jenna Hosea

NUR 452 - Weeks & Childers

 Hello! My name is Jenna, and I am a 4th semester nursing student from Fairfax, VA. I will be the PASS leader for NSG-452 this semester. I love line dancing, crocheting, baking, and spending time with my dog, Duke. I also enjoy working at an animal hospital when I am home over breaks. I am excited to get to know everyone over the course of the semester, and I just know we will have tons of fun!