Cassidy Buchanan-Gauthier joined the UMass Amherst and LRC community in Fall 2023 through the School Counseling graduate program in the College of Education. As an Academic Success Coach, Cassidy gets to apply his education and wealth of life experience to his mission: supporting people on their journey. It wasn't until the age of 37 that Cassidy realized what he wanted to be when he grew up. Returning to school taught him that it's never too late and that anything can be accomplished with the right support system. Since that moment his entire life has been devoted to helping people achieve their goals, as the Assistant Director of LRC Academic Success Coaching he gets to live that dream. When not having the privilege of working as an Academic Success Coach and pursuing his education, Cassidy savors time with his incredible wife, three sassy children, eccentric family, and a sprawling constellation of friends.

Cortland joined the LRC as an Academic Success Coach in August 2024 and is pursuing her MEd/EdS in School Psychology. With a strong background in psychology and education, she is dedicated to creating positive academic experiences for students. Cortland has gained valuable experience as an assistant teacher, school psychology intern, and student ambassador, working with diverse student populations ranging from preschool to higher education. This experience allows her to implement evidence-based interventions that support students' academic, social, and emotional growth. As an Academic Success Coach, Cortland works one-on-one with students to help them navigate academic challenges, set achievable goals, and create personalized success plans. She sees her role as a partnership, empowering students to reach their full potential. Outside academics, Cortland enjoys writing and performing music, hiking with her dog Bertie, kayaking, gardening, and spending time with her cat, Millie.
Fun Fact: She was named after the 'Cortland' apple!

Judah

My name is Judah, and I am a senior Psychology major on the Neuroscience Track from Acton, MA. One of my favorite learning hacks is to spend some time "prefacing" your work for the week early on to give your brain time to prepare for each assignment. Doing this reduces the amount that I procrastinate as I can build expectations for completing work and think about how I will approach challenges in advance. I love being a peer coach as I know how challenging it can be to stay afloat throughout the semester, and providing peers with a reliable contact point to work on transferable metacognitive skills can make a huge difference.

Sam

Hi! My name is Sam, and I grew up in Sharon, MA. I am a senior at UMass Amherst studying Mechanical Engineering and completing my honors thesis for the Commonwealth Honors College. I have worked at the LRC as a Peer Tutor for 6 semesters and I love working with students through the Academic Success Coaching program. My favorite learning hack is to be fearless when asking your professor questions during class lectures when you are confused and to form study groups with classmates. I enjoy supporting my peers because I believe everyone can accomplish their goals with the right support systems, such as the LRC.

Amelia

Hi everyone! My name is Amelia, and I'm from Stoughton, MA. Currently, I am a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in education at UMass Amherst. I like using the Feynman technique in my sessions; this is when you simplify a concept and explain it as if the person knows nothing about it. Sometimes I start using the method, and other times I like having tutees try it on me. I love the look of relief students have when they leave sessions; it's incredibly rewarding to help others in classes I once struggled in as well!

Adhithi

Hello! My name is Adhithi, and I'm a junior majoring in Chemical Engineering. I'm from Bangalore, India. One of my favorite learning hacks is solving practice problems or small concept-based questions to reinforce my understanding and to make sure that I've truly grasped the material. I enjoy supporting my peers because it feels great to teach others and to see their "eureka" moments. It also reminds me of the impact I can create.

Ella

My name is Ella, I'm a senior Biochemistry major and I'm from Westborough, Massachusetts. My favorite study hack is to find a location you enjoy working in - you can find me in the ILC Comm Hub! I've loved being an academic coach because of all the different perspectives students have. It challenges my own strategies and has made me a more thoughtful student too!

Oren

My name is Oren and I am a senior in Biomedical Engineering and Biochemistry from Arlington MA. My favorite learning hack is studying in groups to make it more social and enjoyable.

Leo

Hi, I'm Leo, I'm majoring in Computer Science and Applied Math, and I'm originally from Park Ridge, New Jersey. I enjoy helping my peers since I personally learn a lot better when talking through problems with friends, and I want to give people that same opportunity with me. My favorite study tip is to start assignments early! The stress of being behind makes assignments so much harder than they have to be.

Zahara

Hello! My name is Zahara and I am a journalism major (hopefully double majoring with Political Science) from Templeton MA. My favorite learning hack is to split big assignments into smaller groups because it's easier to focus on individual puzzle pieces rather than the whole puzzle at once. I like supporting my peers because helping others succeed makes me feel like I am also succeeding.

Olivia

My name is Olívia, and I am a Biology major with a Portuguese minor on the Pre-Med track. I am from Westford, Massachusetts, and I am eager to support my fellow peers in succeeding in their classes because I believe that with the right tools and strategies, anyone can excel. My favorite way to study is by creating study guides based on my exam content and then redoing homework, lecture problems, and practice exams to identify the gaps I need to review.

Ouaad

Hi, I'm Ouaad, a Biomedical Engineering major. I was born and raised in Algeria and currently live in Western Massachusetts. My favorite learning hack is to treat learning as a sport; it's a continuous personal and team effort. I support my peers because when we help each other out, we all improve!

Lucien

I am Lucien, a Sport Management and Communications double major from Pittsfield, Massachusetts. My favorite way to study is by going to the library, putting on some good jazz music, and leaving my phone out of arm's reach. I love being able to help my peers pursue their educational passions because I believe that nothing is more important than a well rounded and robust education.