Living ArtsEngine 2024-2025 Student Leaders

Residential Advisors

Molly Gaffey headshot
(She/Her)

I’m a junior majoring in Architecture with a minor in Scenic Design for theatrical productions. I love making art in all different media, as well as gardening and kayaking. I’m looking forward to meeting a diverse group of people, and fostering a community that embraces everyone’s background, knowledge, and unique experiences. My favorite part of my college experience is learning from those around me, and I’m excited to meet a whole new group of wonderful individuals!

Parker Mathena headshot
(They/Them)

I’m a third year Computer Science major in the School of Engineering, with a minor in Spanish language. In my free time, I like to draw, play video games, read comics, and paint in Graffiti Alley! LAE has been a great way for me to combine my engineering major with my creative interests and to meet so many unique and interesting people. I can’t wait to see everyone start to collaborate and learn new things about themselves during my time as an RA!

Forrest Colson headshot
(He/Him)

As a resident advisor in Living Arts Engine this year I hope to help create and support a vibrant and engaged community of students. I am a second-year Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering student. I became interested in Living Arts Engine because I liked the idea of a living community of students who had common interests and a common purpose. Outside of being an RA I am involved in U of M’s Concrete Canoe team and our student run history magazine, The Archive.

Peer Mentors

TJ Mellema headshot
(He/Him)

Hey there! I’m a sophomore in LSA studying Cognitive Science on the computation and cognition track. I’m looking forward to all the events that Living Arts Engine, clubs, and the University of Michigan host. I love studying linguistics and languages (I am currently taking Japanese), and making and playing video games.

Brendan Nestle headshot
(She/Her)

I’m a second year student at STAMPS studying Art & Design. As a peer mentor, I’m so excited to meet all the new mentees and make memories with everyone! Seeing many different disciplines come together, work hard and create unique projects is very inspiring to me. For hobbies and interests, I love nature, making tea blends, DnD, hanging out with friends, and theatre!

Kim Gurwin headshot
(She/Her)

My name is Yatee and I am a sophomore in Robotics. I enjoy collaborating with others to do cool things and enjoy trying out new activities! In my free time, I love exploring Ann Arbor, trying new activities, and going around to different boba cafes!

TJ Mellema headshot
(He/Him)

Hi! I’m Trey, a robotics major with a focus on human-robot interaction and an interest in robotic art installations. Outside of that, I’m constantly fiddling with tools to make almost anything, and probably listening to some strange music or audiobooks. As a peer mentor, I’m looking forward to meeting people who are comfortable breaking academic boundaries.

Kim Gurwin headshot
(She/They)

Hey y’all! I’m Eli Gasser, one of the peer mentors in LAE this year. I enjoy meeting new people and forming new friendships. I’m a second-year Stamps student studying Art and Design and hoping to go into the animation field! I first entered LAE trying to find a community of fellow artists to interact with and it certainly has delivered! LAE is a place to find friends, chill in the creative suite (where you will definitely find me!), and participate in fun activities. Aside from LAE, I love hosting D&D sessions down in the crate, chatting with fellow artists, and participating in movie nights.

Kyle Gleason Headshot New
(He/Him)

Hello! I am a second-year biomedical engineering major also planning to minor in music. As a peer mentor in LAE, I can’t wait to continue being a part of this amazing community, and seeing what crazy projects people get up to this year! I joined LAE because it’s an environment where all of a person’s interests can be nourished, no matter what they are. Outside of classes, I enjoy singing, reading, playing video games/DND, and enjoying nature!

TJ Mellema headshot
(She/Her)

Hi! I’m Olivia. I’m a sophomore at Penny W. Stamps majoring in Art & Design. I hope to pursue storytelling one day, whether that be through writing, comics, film, or other art mediums. This year I am really looking forward to connecting with people and being able to work with my peers in a creative and collaborative environment. I enjoy science fiction, drawing & writing, playing the cello, and talking with others about films/books!

Kim Gurwin headshot
(He/Him)

Hey everyone! I’m Sam Goldfarb, and I’m a sophomore majoring in classical piano performance at SMTD. I’m looking forward to making more friends, learning more about your disciplines (and telling you about mine), and helping Michigan become a second home for all new members of our community! LAE really helped me find my place at U-M, and I hope I can help make a lasting positive impact on your college experience! Outside of piano, I enjoy playing tennis, trying new restaurants/shops, and watching movies/TV shows with friends!

Kim Gurwin headshot
(He/Him)

Hello all! I’m Michael Lu, a second-year College of Engineering student majoring in computer science. I joined Living ArtsEngine because I wanted to get to know people with similar interests, keeping in touch with my artistic side while taking classes for my major. Outside of my studies and my responsibilities as a peer mentor, I enjoy reading, playing music, making pixel art, and creating 3D models. I’m also a huge fan of games, be it tabletop games like D&D or video games like Team Fortress 2 and Minecraft.

Rachel DeVeyra headshot
(He/They)

Coming back to LAE as a peer mentor, I’m looking forward to continue my love of many disciplines and giving guidance to our mentees! I’m a second year in Art & Design, while getting a minor in Mathematics. Taking a break from the Michigan Marching band, I’ll be involved in other organizations around campus like Element One, Michigan Animation Club, SAFE and the TAHRIR coalition! Some of my hobbies are creating art, watching various performances, taking nature walks, listening to music, and watching tv shows \(X3)/

Charleson Shuart headshot
(He/Him)

Howdy! I’m Brendan, a 3rd-year Robotics student in the College of Engineering. I was initially drawn to LAE due to its interdisciplinary focus, and the community has been absolutely lovely both years I’ve been a part of it! I’ve had so many great experiences in LAE, and I’m excited to help the program run again this year. My hobbies include playing video games, going for walks, reading, and occasionally doing animations. You can always feel free to approach me with questions, or even just to say a quick hello! 🙂

Rachel DeVeyra headshot
(She/Her)

As a peer mentor in LAE this year, I’m extremely excited about meeting new people. Currently, I am a second – year LSA student studying Computer Science and Political Science. What drew me to LAE was the fact that I used to do musical theater in high school, and with computer science being one of my majors, I thought this would be a fun way to connect all of my hobbies. When I’m not studying for school, you can find me reading, hanging with friends, song writing, going to get boba, or taking a quick walk outside.

Kim Gurwin headshot
(They/She)

I’m so excited to be a part of Living ArtsEngine this year! As a peer mentor, I’m looking forward to guiding the new mentees and creating joyful memories with everyone through our creative projects and hangouts 🙂 I’m a second-year Architecture student at Taubman and I’m glad to be able to share my experience with other students. Besides bonding with everyone in LAE I enjoy listening to music, going on night walks, watching movies, and doing karaoke!

Rachel DeVeyra headshot
(He/They)

I’m a second-year BMA student in SMTD minoring in LGBTQ+ studies and I’m looking to minor in Musical Theater Composition. I originally joined LAE because I love for interdisciplinary work, and it really broadened my horizons. However, I stayed in LAE for the amazing friends, unique experiences and opportunities in creating, and strong sense of community between everyone. I’m looking forward to helping the next year have an even better time than I did, and I hope I can positively impact someone’s college experience. In my downtime I usually hang out with friends and/or work on my music, but I also play a lot of video games and have at least basic knowledge on almost anything nerdy.

Gage Matt headshot
(He/Him)

Hello! I’m Charleson, a third year Computer Engineering student in the College of Engineering, with a planned minor in English. I’m looking forwards to seeing everyone and I hope I can give you some of my favorite tips and tricks that I learned over the years, here at Michigan. I personally joined Living ArtsEngine as it was something that combined multiple disciplines, and I felt it would help me grow as a person and meet new and interesting people. When I’m not Peer-Mentoring, you can see me around drawing, taking photos, in the Duderstadt, hanging out, or thrifting for deals on stuff that can be reused. I hope you all learn to enjoy and love LAE as I have!

TJ Mellema headshot
(She/Her)

My name is Maya, and I’m a second-year Biomedical Engineering student in the College of Engineering. I’m also looking into a minor in Sociology of Health and Medicine and hoping to possibly take some non-major Stamps electives. As someone whose interests have always been all over the place, I love how LAE celebrates interdisciplinary work and collaboration. I’m really looking forward to seeing all the new faces this year as a Peer Mentor and getting to show Freshman around campus and around the Michigan community. Outside of class and LAE, I’m also on the Michigan Neuroprosthetics project team, where we design and produce pro-bono prosthetic arms, and I’m a member of Clay Club, which is mostly open-studio time in the Stamps ceramics studio. In any remaining spare minutes, I like to spend time with my friends in the dorms or around campus and go to football games or campus events.