First-Year Counselors

The First-Year Counselor Program was established in 1938 and has been ever since an intrinsic and essential component of Yale’s advising system for the first-year students. Together with the Dean, the First Year Counselors (FroCos) support and advise first-year students, living with them and providing them with academic and personal counseling during the first year. In addition to bringing an important peer perspective to their roles, the FroCos receive special training in helping students adapt to college life.

Silliman 2025-2026 First-Year Counselors:

Elon Atlaw

My name is Elon Atlaw, and I’m studying Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology (MCDB). On campus, I serve on the boards of Yale’s Ethiopian/Eritrean Student Association and Black Pre-Health at the African American Cultural Center. I’m also involved in malaria research at Yale’s School of Public Health where I will be completing a BS/MPH degree. When I’m not in class or the lab, I’m holding it down as an office aide in Silliman. One of the communities I treasure the most is Yale Chi Alpha, a Christian fellowship group. Some of my sources of joy include running, going on hikes, hanging out with my friends and taking naps.

Juan Borrego (Co-Head FroC0)

Juan (he/him) is a Global Affairs major and MPH candidate living in Bethany, CT, but originally from Buford, GA. He is particularly interested in bridging the gap between public policy and medicine to address health inequities. Whether it be working as an EMT for Yale EMS or advocating for students as a Senator in the Yale College Council, Juan prides himself in growing alongside and serving the communities he calls home. Outside of class, you can also catch him performing with Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Yale and planning fun getaways from Yale’s campus (especially if it means food is involved). He loves a good buttery moment and will never say no to late-night debriefs.

He does have a twin brother on campus, so don’t be alarmed if you’re seeing double (we highkey don’t look alike)! Feel free to reach out at juan.borrego@yale.edu with any questions!!

Grace Gibson-Snyder (Co-Head FroCo)

Hello!! My name is Grace Gibson-Snyder (she/her/hers). I am from Missoula, Montana, and this is a major part of my personality. I’m studying Global Affairs with a certificate in Energy studies, and I like to talk about coal. At Yale I am involved in various environmental groups, as well as Davenport Pops orchestra (DPops), Yale Club Soccer (go C2!), and FOOT. I also dabble in Danceworks, Yale Undergraduate Chamber Orchestra, and the winter frisbee league. I love hiking, sugar, dogs, and drinking tea. Feel free to reach out to grace.gibson-snyder@yale.edu, and include your favorite type of tea so I can buy some :) Welcome Class of 2029!

Evelyn Jiang                                                   

Welcome to Silliman! Evelyn (she/her) is super excited to be your Froco this year. She is a History major with a focus on East Asian geopolitics. She is from Lincolnshire, IL (loves the suburbs but will always tell you she’s from Chicago first). She is the President of the Yale International Relations Association and was a Production and Design Editor for the Yale Daily News. Over the summer, she was in New York working in finance. 

When she is not doing her seminar readings or writing a paper, you can find her in the Silliman Acorn (loves matcha lattes and always looking for new recs), taking a long walk around campus, catching up on the JJK chapters, and completing her Duolingo lessons at very random times. 

Feel free to reach out at Evelyn.Jiang@yale.edu with any questions. She; can’t wait to meet the Class of 2029!

Sushant Kunwar

My name is Sushant (he/him), and I’m majoring in Computer Science with certificates in Data Science and Spanish. I’m originally from Nepal, but I moved with my family and live in Branford, CT. On campus. I’m involved with the Nepali Students Society, where I serve as Co-President, and the Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association’s Exploration Rover team, where I work on developing a computer vision system for the rover. I also work at the Office of Educational Opportunity as a peer mentor for STEM and first-generation, low-income students at Yale! In my free time, I love drawing, watching soccer with friends, thrifting, and exploring New Haven restaurants. In the future, I’m interested in exploring the various intersections and applications of technology. I’m super excited to be a FroCo and welcome the class of 2029! I can’t wait to meet you all!

Breetika Maharjan

Hey Class of 2029! My name is Breetika (she/her/hers), and I am from Everett, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston! I am a first-generation student majoring in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. At Yale, I am a peer mentor for the Office of Educational Opportunity, working with first-generation, low-income students. I also conduct immunology research in a virology lab, where I investigate ways to improve intranasal vaccinations.

During my time at Yale, I have served as a Yale & You counselor for the Admissions Office and as a board member for Yale’s Matriculate Advising Fellowship. I have also been deeply involved with affinity groups, serving as the co-president of the Nepali Student Society and co-events chair on the board of the QuestBridge Chapter at Yale.

Outside of classes, you can find me enjoying a nice cup of iced chai at the Acorn, making momo (traditional Nepali dumplings) with my friends at the Silliman kitchen, or listening to upbeat music while walking down Science Hill (I would love any song suggestions!). I’m so thrilled to welcome you all to the best community on campus! If you ever see me around, please feel free to say hello. Welcome to our Sillmander family Class of 2029!

Shaun Pexton

Shaun (he/him) is an Applied Physics and Computer Science double major interested in quantum computing and tech policy. He is an international student from Brighton, UK, but spent his younger years in Hong Kong and Singapore and has Japanese citizenship. Alongside research in quantum labs at Yale, Shaun is especially involved in jazz (e.g. with Yale Jazz Ensembles), teaching computer science at local schools through Code Haven, and outreach through the Japanese American Students Union and the Quantum Coalition. Shaun is also a keen open water swimmer and triathlete, so you might find him swimming/biking/running around campus! This is only when he isn’t exploring New Haven’s best cafe spots or reading on his Kindle. Arriving as an international student, his FroCo was of great help in settling into Yale and he wants to do the same for the new Frosh!

Harvey Lloyd Picar

Welcome class of 2029! My name is Harvey (he/him/his) and I’m a Computer Science major from Waipahu, Hawaii. During my time at Yale, I have been involved with KASAMA: The Filipinx Club at Yale, Yale Danceworks, and Yale’s Undergraduate Science Olympiad. I have also held multiple job positions, being one of Silliman’s Intramurals Secretariats, part of the Sillibuttery Staff, a Studios Media Tech under Yale’s Student Technology Collaborative, and a Mentor under Yale’s Office of Educational Opportunity & the Academic Strategies Program. Outside of all of this, I enjoy playing games on my laptop and video editing the short little vlogs I make once in a blue moon. Feel free to reach out to me about anything and I’m excited to meet you all!

Julian Rivera

Hi class of 2029! My name is Julian (he/him), and I am an LA native from Pasadena, California. I am double majoring in Economics and Global Affairs, with a specific interest in immigration reform and human rights. During my time at Yale, I have participated in a variety of on-campus activities, including Yale GSC, UPFund, YULAA, YMUN, and Club Soccer. Through independent research projects with Connecticut Legal Services and the Tobin Economic Research Assistantship, I have explored issues related to immigration policy, economic impacts of Covid-19, and legal advocacy. In the future, I hope to pursue a law degree and explore where it takes me. If I am not studying in Kline (best study spot on campus), you can find me watching and debating any sport, listening to Faye Webster, or searching for the best boba in New Haven. I am super excited to meet you all—welcome to the best residential college!

Kingson Wills

Welcome Frosh!!! My name is Kingson Wills (he/him), and I’m beyond excited to welcome you to the absolute BEST residential college of all time: SILLIMAN!!!

 I hail from Shreveport, Louisiana—home to the best food in America & the world (yes, I will debate this). I’m an English major with a creative writing concentration, so when I’m not buried in a book, you’ll probably find me typing away at a new story (Let me know if you’d like my complete list of Yale study spots, ranked).

At Yale, I’ve spent my time volunteering with Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS), helping support refugees in New Haven, planning events as Yale Cinematic Productions’ Social Chair, leading Billiman, Silliman’s Black Affinity Group, and organizing class-wide events as Junior Class President.

I’m also a certified Yale Dining enthusiast so if you ever need a meal buddy to talk about anything from life, classes, to your newest favorite movie, reach out anytime at kingson.wills@yale.edu :)