About Us

Meet The PALs

Peer Advisor Leaders (PALs) are your go-to upperclassmen at USF St. Petersburg, here to support you as part of the New Student Connections team! They work alongside professional staff to create educational and leadership development opportunities for all students. Whether you're a first-time college student or a transfer, PALs provide personalized guidance through one-on-one coaching, outreach, and engaging programs to help you thrive during your first year.

You’ll have access to either the First-Year, Second-Year, or Transfer Peer PAL team, ready to assist you in navigating your new adventure at USF St. Petersburg. Join us during Week of Welcome for exciting events where you can meet your PALs and kickstart your college experience! If you have any questions or want to reach out, feel free to email stp-newstudent@usf.edu. Interested in becoming a PAL yourself? Keep an eye out for when we open positions on handshake!

Stop by HWH 101 anytime to connect with your First-Year, Second-Year, or Transfer PAL!

Click here to schedule a hangout with your PAL!
Not a part of the Transfer Peer Coach program? Click here to sign up for the program!

Meet the PAL Team!

Sample

Keira Blakey - Head First Year PAL

  • Hometown: Palm City, FL
  • Major: Marine Biology with a Shark Biology Concentration
  • Hobbies: Reading, Hiking, Thrifting, Making Puzzles, Listening to Music

 

Sample

Leanna Doolittle - First Year PAL

  • Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Major: Pre-Graphic Arts
  • Hobbies: Reading, Playing Video Games, Hanging out with my Cats

 

Sample

Kiara Johnson - First Year PAL

  • Hometown: Marianna, FL
  • Major: Biology & Psychology
  • Hobbies: Ultimate Frisbee, Soccer, Reading, Cooking, and Kayaking

 

Man in a red shirt in front of a mammoth fossil

Ollie Donaghy - First Year PAL

  • Hometown: Oviedo, FL
  • Major: Environmental Science & Policy
  • Hobbies: Reading, Going on Walks, and Trying new Coffee Shops

 

Woman on a cliff facing the sea

Paige Wilkins - First Year PAL

  • Hometown: Winchester, TN
  • Major: Marine Biology
  • Hobbies: Scuba Diving, Reading, Museums, and Walking

 

woman in front of a metal fence

Anna Burns - First Year PAL

  • Hometown: Apollo Beach, FL
  • Major: English
  • Hobbies: Reading, Writing, and Listening to Music

 

woman in a yellow shirt

Olive Smith - First Year PAL

  • Hometown: Tampa, FL
  • Major: Environmental Science
  • Hobbies: Painting, Crocheting, Snorkel, Scuba Diving, and Dancing

 

woman in a green dress on a bridge

Victoria Phan - Head Second Year PAL

  • Hometown: Naples, FL
  • Major: Biological Health Sciences
  • Hobbies: Scrapbooking, Journaling, Photography, and Collecting Pins

 

woman in a black shirt in a brick alleyway

Stacy Francois - Second Year PAL

  • Hometown: Pembroke Pines, FL
  • Major: Biology
  • Hobbies: Drawing, Trying New Food, Cooking, and Painting

 

woman in overalls in front of a mirror

Ava Moody - Head Transfer PAL

  • Hometown: Homosassa, FL
  • Major: Biology
  • Hobbies: Baking, Paddle-Boarding, Going to Concerts

 

woman in a green dress in jeans

Estefania Rodriguez - Transfer PAL

  • Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
  • Major: Marine Biology
  • Hobbies: Dancing, Crocheting, Playing, and Video Games

 

woman in a green shirt

Alyssa Hall - Transfer PAL

  • Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
  • Major: Marine Biology
  • Hobbies: Shell, Rock, and Shark Tooth Hunting, Art, Being out in Nature, Travel, and Hanging out with Friends & Family

 

woman on the beach

Bailey Gilbert - Transfer PAL

  • Hometown: Middleburg, FL
  • Major: English with Literary Studies & Political Science
  • Hobbies: Community Service, Writing, and Politics