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.

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 y’all my name is Kyler Gray, currently, I am a Junior Biology major with a double major in Medical Spanish and Pre-Medicine. On campus I volunteer at the UHC and off campus I volunteer at the Harrisonburg rescue squad. In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar, going on hikes, and dancing.

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

I’m a sophomore biology major with minors in political science and pre-law and I’m from Virginia Beach, VA. Beyond PASS, I serve as a tour guide in Student Ambassadors and photo editor of The Breeze. 

Jessica Johnson (she/her)

BIO 140 - Vasconcellos

Hi! My name is Jessie Johnson, and I’m going to be a junior this year. My major is psychology, and my minors are biology and ISAT with a focus in biotechnology. Along with being a PASS leader for BIO 140, I am also a TA for BIO 140L and a student-athlete tutor. I can’t wait to meet and work with everyone this year!

Rylee Strother (she/her)

BIO 140 - Rife

Hi:) I will be a senior biology major focusing on genetics. I am from Chesapeake, Virginia and I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I will be working with Dr. Rife in her BIO 140 class this semester, and this will be my fifth semester as a PASS Leader. 

Renee St. John (she/her)

BIO 150 - Hyman

Hi! I’m a junior biotechnology major with a Pre-Med minor. I’m from Herndon, Virginia. I’m in club cross-country and track and enjoy baking, hanging out with friends, and am always down for an adventure!

Paige Gonder

BIO 245 - Steffen

Hi! My name is Paige Gonder, and I am a rising Sophomore. My major is Nursing, and I can’t wait to be the PASS leader for Professor Steffen’s BIO 245 class this semester. Along with being a PASS leader, I am also in a sorority and a member of the NSA club. I can’t wait to work with everyone and have a successful semester!

Andrew Harman

BIO 245 - Menon

Hi! My name is Andrew Harman, and I’m a junior biology major with a pre-med minor from Harrisonburg, VA. Outside of school some of my hobbies include playing golf, watching sports, and hanging out with friends. I am looking forward to a great semester!

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! 

Sydney Bruns

BIO 290 - Walker

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!

Andrew Lawson

BIO 290 - Velayudhan

Hi, my name is Andrew Lawson, and I am a senior Health Science major with a biology minor. Outside of school, I enjoy trying new things and weightlifting. I look forward to another fun semester with PASS!

Julia Prouty

BIO 270 - Hynd

Hi! My name is Julia Prouty, and I am a sophomore Nursing major with a minor in chronic illness. I am from San Clemente, CA. I enjoy playing soccer, hanging out with friends, baking, and reading. I look forward to a great semester with 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!

Cana Reasons

CHEM 120 - Wilson

Hi everyone! My name is Cana Reasons, and I’m a sophomore nursing major from Vienna, Virginia! I enjoy working out, spending time with friends and family, and cooking. I’m looking forward to working with everyone this semester! 

Micah Swaby

CHEM 131 - Zhang

Hi there! My name is Micah :) I’m going into my senior year with a major in Biology and a minor in African American Studies on the Pre-Med track. I’m the president of Pre-Med club, volunteer at our community free clinic, and involved in developing a research project. I love anything related to cooking, sports, or medicine but I will happily talk about practically anything under the sun. I’m so excited to get to know all of you! 

Lydia Carl

CHEM 131 - Funck

Hi! My name is Lydia, and I am a senior biology major with minors in Pre-PA and Honors from Charlottesville, VA. In addition to PASS, I’m on exec for Biology Students of Color and Red Cross Club, and am in Dr. Velayudhan’s research lab. I enjoy hiking and spending time with friends in my free time and am excited for the semester!

Erin Garvert

CHEM 131 - Hughey

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! 

Kyler Gray

CHEM 132 - Liu

Hey y’all my name is Kyler Gray, currently, I am a Junior Biology major with a double major in Medical Spanish and Pre-Medicine. On campus I volunteer at the UHC and off campus I volunteer at the Harrisonburg rescue squad. In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar, going on hikes, and dancing.

Alexa Day

COB 291 - Atef-Yekta

My name is Alexa, and I am a Marketing major! I ended up really enjoying COB 291 with Hoda, which led me to my business analytics minor and my love for Excel. I plan on using the combination of marketing and business analytics to become a marketing analyst. This can be a tough course, and I am here for all of you. Please do not hesitate to reach out!

Josiah Fisher

COB 291 - Tchommo

Hey there! I’m Josiah, and I’m in my senior year of studying Accounting! I took COB 291 in the Spring semester and absolutely LOVED it—so I never left it behind! Even though I understand that not everyone will share the same fondness for business analytics as I have, I hope to spark a new appreciation for the topic within you. Fun fact: August 5th of this year will stand out forever as that was the day I married my beautiful wife in the JMU Arboretum! Interestingly, we met in COB 241!

Lucas Andersen

COB 291 - Novoa

Hi, my name is Lucas Andersen and I am a finance major going into my senior year. When I took COB 291 originally, I loved it and it led to me pursuing a minor in business analytics. Hopefully through my PASS sessions I will encourage a few more future business analytics minors. 

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 :)

Julie Barlund

MATH 110 - 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!

Hadley Bezanson

MATH 110 - Busi

Hi everyone! My name is Hadley Bezanson and I am a senior, Elementary Education major. I will be your MATH 110 PASS leader for Dr. Busi this semester! I am so excited to work with each one of you and help you succeed in this course!

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. 

Ella Maines

MATH 205 - Koch

Hi! My name is Ella Maines and I am the MATH220 PASS leader for Ms. Watson. I am a sophomore psychology major with a Pre-PA minor from Montgomery County, MD. My hobbies include running, reading, and cooking. I can’t wait to have a great semester!

Monica Lawson (she/her)

NUR 353 - Lam & Elkins

Hi! My name is Monica Lawson and I am a senior nursing major! I’m from Woodbridge, Virginia. I’m the secretary of NSA and on Governance Committee. I enjoy lifting, thrifting, and hiking! Can’t wait to meet everyone this semester! 

Katie Little

NUR 356 - Landes & Childers

Hi! My name is Katie Little and I’m a senior nursing major and medical Spanish minor from Fairfax, Virginia! This semester I’m leading PASS for Nursing 356 Clinical Applications and Reasoning 2. Outside of the classroom I’m a member of The Diabetes Link and like to read, lift, and be outside! I hope we have a great semester! 

Ian Nester

NUR 452 - Weeks & Heron

Hi there! My name is Ian and I’m excited to be working with you all as your NPASS leader this fall for Clin Apps III. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, watching sports, and listening to music. My favorite section of learning in this class was the types of shock. 

Emily Yelanich

BIO 514 - Gabriele

Hello! My name is Emily Yelanich and I am a second year in the occupational therapy master’s program. I enjoy volunteering, hanging out with my friends, and reading. I am looking forward to a wonderful semester with all of you!