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

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.

Fatima Rahman

I am a first-year School Psychology graduate student. I went to Virginia Tech for my undergraduate studies and love playing with cats and reading in my free time. After graduating, I hope to practice as a School Psychologist in NOVA!

Laila Robinson

I am a junior Biology major with minors in pre-med, medical Spanish, and Honors. I love cooking and playing card games in my free time. After graduating, I hope to go to medical school to become a Pediatric Allergist.

Gabriella Zydalis

BIO 140 - Doyle

I’m a junior Health Sciences major and Pre-PT minor. I’m from Sterling, Virginia. I love hiking and traveling with friends and family.

Marcela Gagnon 

BIO 140 - Halsell

Hey! I am a sophomore biology major with a pre-med minor. I use she/her pronouns. I’m from Fairfax, Virginia. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling and reading a book every now and then. 

Myrissa Flowers (she/her)

BIO 140 - Monroe

Hi! I’m a freshman biology major from Lexington, Virginia. I do a lot of arts and crafts in my freetime and am considering a studio or book arts minor! I also work as a Student Athlete Tutor and am always happy to help.

Rylee Strother

BIO 140 - Rife

I’m a sophomore Biology major and a Pre-Med minor. My pronouns are she/her. I am from Chesapeake, VA. I am a FROG (First Year Orientation Guide) this year and enjoy hanging out with my friends, family, and my dog!

Andrew Lawson

BIO 150 - Gobetz

I am a junior Health Sciences major on a pre-pt track. I’m from Mechanicsville, VA. I like to read, exercise, and try new things. Additionally, I really like watching new tv shows and movies.

Jackie Kossey (she/her)

BIO 150 - Harsh

I am a junior Biology major with concentrations in microbiology and ecology and evolution! I’m from the suburbs of Philadelphia (but have never had a philly cheese steak). I love kayaking, traveling, reading, and hanging out with friends :)

Grace Taylor (she/her)

BIO 150 - Pesce

I am a Sophomore Biotechnology major. I am from Yorktown, Virginia. I love playing volleyball, reading, and hiking. I am always looking for new places to get coffee.

Chloe Babick (she/her)

BIO 145 - Herrick

Junior, Biology major with a minor in pre-dentistry. I love to read, play ukulele, and bake. I am in the ASL club at JMU. I was born in southern California, but raised in NOVA.

Elyse Rideout

BIO 245 - Lassiter

I’m a sophomore nursing major from San Clemente, California. While I’m from the beach, I definitely prefer the mountains! Outside of school and classes I can usually be found watching a good tv show or spending time with friends somewhere outside.

Amber Ellis (she/her)

BIO 270 - Hynd

I’m a senior Health Science major with a biology minor from Gainesville, VA. I hope to attend a dental hygiene program after graduating from JMU. I’ve been keeping busy with my new puppy named Oakley!

Catherine Ward (she/her)

BIO 270 - Brown

I’m a senior Health Sciences major with a minor in pre-PA. I’m from Richmond, Virginia. I love to play volleyball and I’ve enjoyed being on the Women’s Club Volleyball team at JMU for the past four years. Additionally, I love to paint, hike, and travel to new places!

Sydney Bruns

BIO 290 - Walker

I’m a sophomore Health Science major and Pre-PA minor. I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I like to play tennis, hike, travel, and hang out with my friends!

KC Bennett (she/her/hers)

BIO 290 - Kilkenny

I’m a junior, Kinesiology major with a pre-PT minor. I’m from Ashburn, VA. You’ll almost never catch me without a book in my hands because I love reading!

Piper Jones (she/her/hers)

BIO 290 - Walker/Kilkenny

Hi! I’m a junior, Health Science major and pre-PA minor. I love cooking when I have the time and skiing.

Paige Helfter (she/her)

CHEM 110 - Cunningham

Hi :) I am a sophomore nursing major from Pepperell, Massachusetts. In my free time I like to dance, go to the gym, read, and spend time with friends.

Michaela Daly

CHEM 120 - Wilson

I’m a junior Health Sciences major. I love to play softball and I am from Connecticut!

Hannah Anderson

CHEM 131 - Blumling

I am a junior Chemistry major with minors in biology and pre-pharmacy. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, hiking, and running.

Laila Robinson

CHEM 131 - Funck

I am a junior Biology major with minors in pre-med, medical Spanish, and Honors. I love cooking and playing card games in my free time. After graduating, I hope to go to medical school to become a Pediatric Allergist.

Lydia Carl

CHEM 131 - Baber

I am a sophomore Biology major with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies from Charlottesville, VA. In my free time, I like to read, cook meals with my family, and hike.

Sophia Gross

CHEM 132 - Raston/Kokhan

I am a junior Biology major from Cherry Hill, NJ. In my free time I love to run, read, bake and hangout with my friends.

Lily Santangelo

CHEM 242 - Mohler

Alexa Day

COB 291 - Atef-Yekta

Hi! My name is Alexa Day, and I am a junior Marketing major from Lancaster, PA. I love iced coffee and studying in Lakeside Cafe. I am excited to meet all of you and help you through this semester!

Josiah Fisher

COB 291 - Tchommo

Hey there! I’m Josiah, a junior studying Accounting. I was born in San Diego, and I LOVE traveling off the beaten path! I am weird because I LOVE COB 291! And even though I may not be able to instill that affection in you, I can at least help lighten the load! We WILL get through this together!

Nick Edier

COB 291 - Novoa

Hey! I’m Nicolas Edier, but just call me Nick. I’m a senior in my graduating semester, finishing my degree in Finance. In my downtime I enjoy getting outdoors whether it’s a hike or sports with friends. I’m very much looking forward to getting started with PASS and having a great semester alongside you guys!

Kyle Showalter

COB 291 - Tchommo

Hello! My name is Kyle Showalter and I am a sophomore studying Accounting. I am a native to the Valley and enjoy math and woodworking. 291 is hard work but together we will make it happen!

Hadley Bezanson

MATH 110 - Busi

Hello! My name is Hadley, and I am a junior Elementary Education major. I am from Hagerstown, MD which is western Maryland, just straight up 81 North! I love to read and spend time with my friends and family. I am so excited to meet everyone and help you navigate through this course. I personally LOVED MATH 110!

Katie Powers

MATH 110 - Siegfried

I am a freshman elementary education major. I’m from Chantilly, Virginia and my pronouns are she/her. I love spending my time hiking, hanging out with friends and running when I can!

Max Kerr

MATH 205 - Koch

My name is Max Kerr and I am a freshman accounting major from New Jersey. I spend a lot of time outside and love snowboarding in the winter and going to the beach all summer. I am excited to meet everyone and to get started with PASS!

Julie Barlund

MATH 210 - Gibson

Hi! I am a sophomore Elementary Education Major and I am minoring in Exceptional Education! My pronouns are she/her. My favorite hobbies are reading, playing guitar, dancing, traveling, and working out!

Nadia Borrelli-Boudreau

MATH 210 - Willingham

I’m a sophomore elementary education student with a minor in human resources development. My pronouns are she/her. I love reading, staying active, and spending time with friends and family.

Julia Day

MATH 220 - Watson

I am a sophomore Social Work major with a minor in nonprofit studies. I’m from a small town in Southwest Virginia called Bluefield and I love doing anything outdoors, hanging out with friends, and listening to music!

Katherine Czysz

NUR 353 - Lam & Elkins

HI! I’m Katie, and I am a 4th semester nursing student. I am from Southern Maryland and love being outdoors and on the water! After graduation, I want to be an ER nurse!

Riley Spitnale (she/her/hers)

NUR 356 - Haynes & Landes

Hi! I’m Riley, and I am a senior fourth semester nursing student.  I’m from Roanoke, VA and I hope to be a pediatric nurse!  I am in the Madison Dance Club here at JMU, and I enjoy painting, hanging out with friends, and reading.  

Teryn Ratcliffe (she/her/hers)

NUR 452 - Weeks & Childers

Hi! I’m Teryn and I am a 4th semester nursing student. I am from Crozet, VA and love spending time outside with my 6 month old golden retriever! I also enjoy spending time reading and hanging out with friends. After graduation, I hope to work at UVA in Surgical/Trauma.