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, M.A. (she/her)

I am a second-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

Kyler Gray

Hey there, I'm a Junior Biology major with a double minor in pre-medicine and medical Spanish. I am originally from Haymarket, VA and in my free time I enjoy dancing, hiking, playing guitar, and spending quality time with those who matter the most. Outside of school, I volunteer at the university health center and the local rescue squad. I am excited for this upcoming semester to share my knowledge and create a great experience.

Koya Chandler

BIO 140 - Doyle

Hi! My name is Koya Chandler and I’m a sophomore 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. This is my first year as a PASS leader. So excited for this semester!

Ryan Sauer

BIO 140 - Halsell

Hi! I’m a sophomore biology major with minors in political science and pre-law from Virginia Beach, VA. This is my second semester as a PASS leader for BIO140 with Dr. Halsell. Beyond PASS, I serve as a tour guide in Student Ambassadors, 2024 Orientation Peer Advisor, and hobbyist photographer – you can catch my photos in The Breeze newspaper, The Bluestone yearbook, and the PASS website.

Rylee Strother (she/her)

BIO 140 - Rife

Hi! I’m a senior biology major with a focus in genetics from Chesapeake, VA. This is my sixth semester as a PASS Leader for BIO 140. In my free time I like to read, watch tv shows, and spend time with my friends. I am excited to meet everyone and can’t wait to have a great semester!

Tyler Goldstein

BIO 140 - Rife

Hi! I’m a sophomore biology major with a pre-med minor and I'm from New Jersey. In my free time I enjoy hiking, going to the gym, and playing sports. Outside of school, I volunteer at the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, and I am excited to meet everyone and start this semester! 

Kedayne Edwards

BIO 150 - Gobetz

Hi! I am a sophomore Biology major with a pre-med minor, and I am from Jamaica but currently live in Fishersville, VA. I am an RA in Shenandoah Hall, I love to dance so I’m also in a few dance clubs on campus (Moong crew, and Fate kpop club). I'm so excited to be a PASS leader once again this semester!

Renee St. John (she/her)

BIO 150 - Gobetz

Hi! I’m a junior biotechnology major with a minor in chemistry. I’m from Reston, Virginia. I’m in club cross-country and track and enjoy baking, hanging out with friends, and am always down for an adventure. I would love to get to know everyone, so please stop by at my PASS sessions!

Liza Hamilton (she/her)

BIO 150 - Wurch

Hey everyone! I’m Liza, and I’m a junior from Virginia Beach, VA. I’m a health science major with minors in Pre-PA and WGSS. I enjoy BIO 150 a lot and hope to help others better understand the fascinating material. I’m in the Phi Epsilon Kappa professional coed health fraternity, and a nurse aid on the third floor of Sentara RMH! I enjoy spending time outdoors, fostering animals with my roommates, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering in my community. 

Kyler Gray

BIO 245 - Herrick

Hey there, I’m a Junior Biology major with a double minor in pre-medicine and medical Spanish. I am originally from Haymarket, VA and in my free time I enjoy dancing, hiking, playing guitar, and spending quality time with those who matter most. Outside of school, I volunteer at the university health center and the local rescue squad. I am excited for this upcoming semester to share my knowledge and create a great experience.

Gabriel Padilla

BIO 245 - Yoshimura

Hi everyone! I’m a Sophomore Health Sciences major with a pre-pharmacy minor. Originally, I'm from Weston, CT which has made coming to JMU a much larger and greater experience than I could've imagined. Outside of school I love to read, listen to music, I compete in Snowsports and cook and am always here to help if anyone has any questions about getting situated at the university. I’m looking foreword to meeting you all during my sessions! 

Ally Clark (she/her)

BIO 270 - Hynd

Hi! My name is Ally Clark, and I am a senior Kinesiology – Exercise Science major with a Pre-Physical Therapy minor. I am from Yorktown, VA. Some activities I am involved in outside of PASS include Phi Epsilon Kappa and Pre-Physical Therapy Society. I enjoy reading, going to the beach, and playing with my dog – Pablo. I look forward to another amazing semester! 

Lizzie Nguyen

BIO 270 - Brown

Hi everyone! I’m a senior Kinesiology major with a Pre-Med minor from Fairfax, VA, and I use she/her pronouns. I am also involved in Student Ambassadors, UHC volunteering, and Student-Athlete tutoring. If I'm not curled up with a book and cup of coffee trying to meet my Goodreads goal, you can find me cheering for Philadelphia sports or listening to health and wellness podcasts. Let’s have a great semester!

Sydney Bruns

BIO 290 - Velayudhan 

Hi! My name is Sydney Bruns, and I am a senior Health Science major with a pre-PA minor. I’m from Pittsburgh, PA. Along with being a PASS leader, I am also a student-athlete tutor, UHC volunteer, and vice president of IHI. I also love playing tennis, pickleball, hiking, and hanging out with friends. I am looking forward to a great semester and can’t wait to meet everyone!

Morgan Scudder

BIO 290 - Gabriele 

Hi! My name is Morgan Scudder, and I am a sophomore Nursing major with a Chronic Illness minor. I am from Chesterfield, Virginia. Along with PASS, I am also an Anatomy Lab TA. Outside of school, I enjoy running, cooking/baking, and hanging out with friends. I am looking forward to a great semester!

Payton Jones (she/her)

BIO 290 - Extra 

Hi! I’m a junior Kinesiology – Exercise Science major with a Pre-PT and Pre-AT minor from Tappahannock, Virginia. I am a TA for anatomy lab; however, this is my first semester as a PASS leader. Outside of PASS I am involved in the Pre-Physical Therapy Society. In my free time I enjoy reading, working out, and hanging out with my friends! I’m very excited to meet everyone! 

Hannah Kerr

CHEM 120 - Cunningham

Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Kerr and I am a sophomore nursing major with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. I love to do arts and crafts, to listen to music, and to enjoy nature. I am so excited to be a PASS leader this semester and to meet you all!

Luke Hale

CHEM 120 - Trost

Hey everyone! My Name is Luke Hale and I am Senior Health Science Major with minors in Pharmacy and Pre-PA. I am the President of Club Spikeball as well and love watching just about any sport! I am looking forward to spending the semester with you all!

Lydia Carl

CHEM 131 - Baber

Hi! I’m a senior biology major with minors in Pre-PA and Honors from Charlottesville, VA. In my free time, I like to read, cook/bake, and go hiking. I’m excited to meet everyone and enjoy my last semester as a PASS leader! 

Landon Gray

CHEM 131 - Funck

Hi! I’m Landon, a biology major from Haymarket, Virginia. In my free time I love to hang out with my friends and family, work out at UREC, and watch sports. I’m looking forward to meeting you all!

Erin Garvert

CHEM 131 - Wilson

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

Ava Wehr

CHEM 132 - Long

Hi! I’m Ava, and this is my first semester as a PASS leader for CHEM 132. I’m currently a biotechnology and statistics double major with minors in pre-pharmacy and Honors, and I’ve surprised myself with a love for chemistry along the way. I'm also involved in the Marching Royal Dukes, InterVarsity, and AOE here at JMU. I’m looking forward to meeting you all!

Nathan Pochet

CHEM 132 - Tam

Hi! I’m Nathan, a junior chemistry major from Sterling, VA. This is my first semester in PASS, and I am excited to work with you guys to help build chemistry knowledge! I enjoy playing bored games and video games.

Alexa Day

COB 291 - Atef-Yekta

Hi! My name is Alexa, and I am a senior Marketing major with a minor in Business Analytics, and I am from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This is my fourth semester being a PASS leader... which sounds crazy, but I love the opportunity to help students and see them succeed in such a tough course! In my free time I love to hang out with my friends and go to the gym!

Luke Fisher

COB 291 - Stevens

Hey everyone! My name is Luke, and I am a junior Computer Information Systems major with minors in Economics and Business Analytics. I am from Covington, Virginia. In my free time you’ll find me working out, attending club meetings, or just relaxing with my cat. This is my first semester as a PASS leader, and I couldn’t be more excited! Although this course can be difficult, I hope to help you all come to love the subject as much as I do. 

Lucas Andersen

COB 291 - Novoa

My name is Lucas Andersen, and I am a senior Finance major from Great Falls, Virginia. I took COB 291 in my sophomore year and enjoyed it a ton. As a result, I added a Business Analytics minor and decided to lead PASS, and I hope that I'll be able to spark an interest in Business Analytics for some of you! This can be a challenging course, but I am happy to help in any way.

Reese Thornton

COB 291 - Jewett

Hey y'all! My name is Reese Thornton and I am a CIS and Accounting double-major in the College of Business with a minor in Business Analytics! I am currently a Junior at JMU and in my free time I enjoy lifting at UREC, reading, and playing with my cat :)

Kelsey Allen (she/her)

COB 291 - Tchommo

Hi! My name is Kelsey, and I am a junior Accounting major from Baltimore, Maryland. This is my first semester as a PASS leader and I cannot wait to meet everyone as we adventure through the journey that is business analytics. When I’m not in class, I love cooking/baking, seeing my friends, and going to the gym. Let’s make this semester a great one!

Abby Ensogna

COB 291 - Tchommo

Hi! My name is Abby, and I am a junior Computer Science major / Business Analytics minor from Winchester, VA. I have always adored my BSAN classes and can’t wait to revisit them with you guys from a new perspective. When I am not wrapped up in school, I enjoy going on hikes, reading, baking, and lifting at UREC. I can’t wait to meet all of you!  

Alex Ricci

MATH 110 - Busi

Hi, my name is Alex Ricci and I’m a sophomore education major and science minor from Loudoun County, VA. This is my first semester as a PASS leader, and I am excited to work with you all. When I am not in class, I enjoy playing ultimate for the club team, lifting at urec, and hanging out with my friends. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. 

Michelle Lyons

MATH 205 - Koch

My name is Michelle Lyons and I am super excited to be a MATH 205 leader this year! I am a sophomore finance major, and enjoy spending my free time with young life, CHAARG, and club orchestra! I’m from Herndon, Virginia and attended Herndon High school. 

Julie Barlund

MATH 210 - Gibson

Hi, my name is Julie and I am the MATH 110 PASS leader for Professor Gibson! I am a junior with an Elementary Education major and a minor in Exceptional Education. Besides being a PASS leader, I am on Dancing Dukes and I am a small group leader in Intervarsity. I cannot wait to meet everyone and have a great semester!

Ella Maines

MATH 220 - Watson

Hello!! My name is Ella Maines, I am a sophomore psychology major with a Pre-PA minor from Montgomery County, MD. At JMU I am involved in Greek life and am a founding member of the self care club. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, running, and cooking. I am so excited to work with all of you this semester and share my love for statistics!

Monica Lawson (she/her)

NUR 353 - Lam & Elkins

Hello everyone, my name is Monica Lawson. I am a senior nursing major from Woodbridge, Virginia. I enjoy lifting and hiking in my free time. I am also involved with Nursing Student Association, Sigma Theta Tau, and Governance committee. Excited to meet you all! 

Avery Dawson

NUR 356 - Landes & Childers

Hey guys, my name is Avery, and I am a senior nursing major from Baltimore, MD. This is my first semester as a PASS leader, and I am so excited to work with you guys! I love attending PASS and find it very helpful as a student. Outside of PASS, I like to work out, cook, play with animals, and do things with my sorority. If you have any questions or suggestions, please don't be afraid to contact me! 

Aly Fridey

NUR 452 - Weeks & Heron

Hi everyone!! My name is Aly Fridey and I’m a senior nursing major from Haymarket, VA! Outside of classes I enjoy spending time with friends and family, singing, listening to music, JMU InterVarsity, and taking group exercise classes at UREC. I’m also a huge dog person! I loved this course and I have no doubt you can be successful when utilizing all your resources!