Shruthi Shivkumar
Hey! My name’s Shruthi (she/they) and I’m a junior at Pitt, double-majoring in Neuroscience and English Writing. I’m passionate about LGBTQ issues, and healthcare for populations who have been marginalized. As a queer South Asian, I find myself drawn to advocacy in these realms. I work at an ob/gyn clinic in Pittsburgh, and I’m also a helpline counselor at Pittsburgh Action Against Rape. My goal with the Peer Survivors’ Support Network is to be there for fellow Pitt students, because I know how isolating the aftermath of sexual assault/harassment or trauma can feel, and I want to make sure no student ever feels like they have to go through that alone. I love singing, poetry, and the color turquoise.
Danielle Floyd
Hello! My name is Danielle Floyd, and I am a sophomore majoring in Economics with a Global Health certificate on a Pre-Med/Pre-Health track. Outside of the classroom, you can either find me hitting the gym at the Pete or studying on the 3rd floor of the WPU. My primary identity is that I am a Black female. This is important to me because understanding my role as an agent of change in the black community will help me pave the way to uplift more black voices. Creating the peer support network is fundamental because survivors need to have spaces to receive support at a peer level by connecting to our shared experiences as a student.
Grace Waldow
I am a junior at Pitt and am a Biology and Psychology double major with minors in Chemistry and Classics. Outside of class I am the business manager of Planned Parenthood, volunteer with the clinic downtown, and work as a genetic counseling assistant at UPMC Children’s Hospital. I am trained as a sexual assault counselor through Pittsburgh Action Against Rape and volunteer with their 24/7 helpline, which is why I was interested in starting this group on campus.
Alexa Pierce
Hello! My name is Alexa Pierce, and I am a freshman here at Pitt. My pronouns are she/her/hers, and I am majoring in Psychology with a plan to add on Political Science, minor in Legal Studies, and earn the Public and Professional Writing Certificate. My commitment to social activism lies in my participation in various clubs around Pitt, such as Planned Parenthood Generation Action, the ACLU club, the Student Government Board, as well as this wonderful network!
Lily Schneider
I'm Lily and I'm a first-year student in the Dietrich school, but I plan to transfer into the emergency medicine program. I'm also pursuing a Gender and Women’s Studies certificate and Arabic certificate. I'm pre-med and pre-paramedic, and currently work as an EMT. I’m a proud Asian woman and member of the LGBT community. I’m also an ex competitive cheerleader and have the world's best dog.
Julia Kooser
Hello! My name is Julia Kooser, and my pronouns are she/her/hers. As someone who is recovered from anorexia, I work through Project Heal as a mentor with people recovering from eating disorders and offer them support and guidance. Being able to listen and support people has been a very rewarding experience, and I would love to help in this program as well. I am a microbiology/psychology major who plans on applying to MD/PhD programs after this semester, which is stressful but also exciting! I am looking forward to getting to know everyone through this program. Thank you!
Vaishnavi Mahalingam
Hi! My name is Vaishnavi (she/her) and I'm a microbiology major on the pre-med track, with minors in theatre and chemistry. I've been involved with social justice and activism since high school; I'm especially interested in intersectionality, including (but not limited to) the health and well-being of women, racial minorities, and those in the LGBTQ+ community. I decided to join the Peer Survivors Support Network because no one should have to deal with the aftermath of sexual assault or harassment by themselves. The other peers and I are here to help in any way we can, and most importantly, to listen. You are not alone!
Annalise Abraham
Hi! I’m Annalise Abraham (she/her), and I am a junior studying Urban Studies and Non-Fiction writing. In my free time I love cooking, drinking tea, exploring Pittsburgh, and being outdoors! I am looking forward to being a part of this group in order to directly support fellow students and strengthen the Pitt community.
Mabry Smyer
Hi everyone! My name is Mabry, my pronouns are she/her, and I am currently a first year pre-med student at Pitt. I am so excited to work with PSSN!! I identify very strongly with my womanhood, spend almost all of my time with solely people who identify as women, and have done a lot of work in the past with the YWCA which works to provide shelter and a strong foundation to women facing adverse circumstances. All in all, I am a relatively quiet person with a goal to make people feel as happy and comfortable as possible, and I love getting to know about the goals and interests of others! :)