Our 2025-2026 Peer Success Leaders are available to meet one-on-one with Duke undergraduates to discuss questions and challenges they are experiencing during their time at Duke. Feel free to reach out to a PSL individually or contact the ARC Peer Education Team and we can link you up with one of them. Learn more about the PSLs below!
Josue Blanco
Josue is a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Religious Studies.
"I felt called to be a Peer Success Leader because of my desire to share with others the fruits that have been most helpful for navigating my time at Duke so far! I had done previous related work with Duke ASCEND, and the Peer Success Leader position at the ARC seemed to me as the perfect continuation of this project to help build each other's success on campus. Since becoming a PSL, I've had the pleasure of going to many of the ARC events and enjoy working together with PSLs to find ways to help others be presented with opportunities at Duke of interest to them that they weren't aware of. I look forward to growing more as a PSL!"
Josue's fun fact: "I used to be a boxer when I was in high school. I've loved martial arts ever since I began practicing, which was entirely because of a marine veteran who I met at work. I would schedule my toughest spars before my toughest exams, and I always felt like it made me a better student!"
Alexandra Himmel
Alexandra is a sophomore majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and minoring in Women & Gender Studies.
"I wanted to become a PSL to connect with students who are unsure about their path at Duke and assist them with finding tools and resources that can help guide them. My favorite part of my role is connecting with freshman and learning about the new changes to the first-year curriculum and advising!"
Alexandra's fun fact: "I was a three-time junior Olympic fencer!"
Nick Hoffmann
Nick is a sophomore majoring in Biology and Global Health.
"I have always enjoyed being able to assist others and make a difference. Working as a PSL gives me the chance to combine the best of both worlds by mixing personalized counseling with broader, campus-wide engagement initiatives!"
Nick's fun fact: "I can play the banjo!"
Anavi Kaul
Anavi is a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
"I became a Peer Success Leader to help guide first-years and other students to navigate their unique pathways at Duke!"
Anavi's fun fact: "I solo-traveled to France this summer!"
Katie Li
Katie is a junior majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Asian Middle Eastern Studies.
"I wanted to become a Peer Success Leader because I find student-facing roles meaningful and enjoy connecting with and supporting other students. I value helping peers learn about the academic resources, programs, and opportunities Duke offers, and I see this role as a reciprocal interaction where we learn from one another. As a pre-health student, I can share advice on courses and professors, drawing on my own experiences and guidance from upperclassmen. Having benefited greatly from those conversations, I am motivated to give back to the Duke community by supporting other students in the same way."
Katie's fun fact: "I’m part of DSG, and when I was a freshman, I helped work on a committee that successfully brought free laundry to campus beginning in the 2025–2026 school year."
Maddie Morrison
Maddie is a senior on a pre-med pathway majoring in Cultural Anthropology with minors in Chemistry and Global Health.
"I became a Peer Success Leader to help students navigate Duke’s resource landscape and feel confident exploring new opportunities, asking for help, and embracing failure as part of their journey toward success.:
Maddie's fun fact: "I’m surprisingly good at staring contests."
Bella Myer
Bella is a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
"I became a Peer Success Leader because I wanted to support students in the same way mentors supported me when I was new to campus. I really enjoy building connections, listening to students' experiences, and helping them find strategies that make their journey a little easier. The best part is seeing students grow more confident and comfortable over time, and knowing I've contributed to that in some way."
Bella's fun fact: "I've broken 12 bones."
Marie Timko
Marie is a junior majoring in Physics and minoring in Mathematics.
"I love talking about classes and academic programs at Duke, and I am passionate about helping other students succeed academically and personally because I truly believe that everyone can thrive at Duke when they find the people and environments that are right for them."
Marie's fun fact: "I play the piano and ukulele."
