Peer Academic Coaching for Sociology
support for most So classes
Room: Sociology Lounge Tisch 2nd Floor (Tisch 218)
Peer Academic Coaches are available to help you develop your content knowledge and study skills. There is no need to sign up. Simply stop by!
| Sun 7-9PM | Mon 7-9PM | Tues 7-9PM | Wed 7-9PM | Thurs 7-9PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shiloh | Cherie | Mara | Annabelle | Shiloh |
| Mara | Annabelle | Eliza | Eliza | Cherie |
Upcoming Academic Sessions
Date: 4/9/2024
Time: 7-9 pm
Event Name: “Learn About the Sociology major!”
“Visit the Sociology PAC team on Tuesday, April 9th, from 7-9 pm in the Sociology
Department! We will be discussing any and all things about the Sociology major. <3”
The Sociology PAC team will be available to discuss any major requirements, recommended
classes, study abroad opportunities, research, independent studies, and how to harness
any
particular interests in the discipline.
Date: 4/24/24
Time: 7-9 pm
Title: Sociological Survival: Study for Finals with Sociology PAC!
“Visit Sociology PAC on Wednesday, April 24th, from 7-9 pm in the Sociology Department
to
talk all things finals! We will proofread papers, help with outlines, go over study
guides, or
whatever you need! Anything you wish to review, PAC is here to help. :)
This academic event is designed to incentivize students to get a head start on studying
for their
finals before study days and finals week. PAC will be available to support any Sociology
classes
and their finals, including (but not limited to) theory, methods, and statistics.
Students can come
in with any questions or concerns regarding their finals.
meet the pac team for sociology
Mara Little '24 - Sociology PAC Captain
Major: Sociology 
About me: I'm a senior from Walton, NY. I love to dance, read, jam out to music, and spend time outside. One of my favorite downtime activities is playing Mario Party with my housemates. <3
Why PAC: I love talking about all things Sociology! I think PAC is such a wonderful and accessible program. All PAC departments make it their mission to create a comforting environment for everybody here at Skidmore. I’m honored to be a part of such a welcoming program.
Favorite class and why: My favorite class to date is Sociological Imaginations with Professor Brueggemann. The readings and lectures were enlightening. Each week one of the students in the class would give a presentation on the required reading. This class offered a great opportunity to practice public speaking skills while also intensely engaging with sociological text.
Academic advice: The best advice I could give is to take it one day at a time. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed in a college environment. Take a deep breath, give yourself downtime, and remind yourself that you’re doing a great job!
Eliza Barba-Wheelock '24
Major: Sociology and Dance 
About me: I am a junior from Portland, Maine. I love sailing, drinking coffee, and binge watching Arrested Development and Breaking Bad. You'll often find me with my goldendoodle, Kipper! On campus I am also the co-chair of the student dance committee.
Why PAC: I joined PAC because I think that peer connection is important for promoting a sense of community within each department. I am excited to meet new people and share my love of sociology and the sociology department!
Favorite class and why: One of my favorite classes is Dance and Society with Professor Jason Ohlberg. This class gave me new research and writing skills, and Professor Ohlberg passionately taught the importance of learning accurate history. These are things that I can also use in my sociology courses.
Academic advice: My best advice is to stay organized- I try to designate time each week to plan my schedule and assignments. Also, it is ok to rely on the people around you. Your professors, friends, and mentors are there to help you. Take time for yourself and remember that mistakes are part of the learning process.
Walter Boyce '25
Major: Sociology
About Me: Hi! My name is Walter, I use he/they pronouns, and I am a junior sociology major from
Newton, Massachusetts. Around campus, I am also a student supervisor in the dining
hall. In my free time, I enjoy thrifting, trying new restaurants, listening to music
(my favorite artists right now are Beyoncé, SZA, Tove Lo, and MUNA), and binge-watching
Law and Order SVU. 
Why PAC?: I think peer support is invaluable to fostering strong learning communities, especially since it can feel like you're flying blind sometimes in regard to assignments. I am also excited to share my knowledge and passions with other students who are interested in sociology!
Favorite class and why?: The EN105 class I took freshman year, The Color of Justice with Professor Bozio, is the first thing that comes to mind - I feel that I both greatly sharpened my college writing skills and acquired a new perspective on systemic race issues in the United States. Call me crazy, but I also enjoyed Statistics for the Social Sciences - I enjoyed crunching the numbers to draw meaningful sociological conclusions!
Academic Advice: My biggest piece of advice is to buy a planner (or use a Google Calendar) to get all your deadlines in one place at the beginning of the semester. This helps ensure you can stay on top of what you have due, not procrastinate, and avoid forgetting about last-minute assignments.
Anna Brooks '25 (Abroad)
About me: Hey! Im Anna! I use she/they pronouns, and I'm from Boston Massachusetts.
In my free time, I like to browse new music and meditate. I love sociology because it’s the way the world works! So much can be learned about each other and what we know through sociology!
Why PAC?: I’m in PAC because peer support is such a huge part of higher level education.
My Favorite class and Why: My Favorite class was Race and Power with Jennifer Mueller. It was a new, more personal look into how power and positionality historically and in contemporary America.
Academic Advice: Be empathetic with yourself! You are human who makes mistakes and is growing. You can only do you best!
Yuesong Ding '26 
About me: I am Yeusong, and you can call me Cherie. I come from China, and I am going to major in Sociology and Gender Studies. I work out a lot, also read, write, and meditate. I love deep conversations, so you're very welcomed to discuss any societal or philosophical issues with me!
Why PAC? Sociology is not just a discipline that stays in books; it needs people on board. It is much more valuable to gain a deeper awareness of oneself and the world and expose the reasoning behind social routines than just writing papers, and in PAC, we get that!
My Favorite Class and Why?: My favorite course is China and Globalization by Prof. Xiaoshuo Hou. This course represents the fusion and contractiction of the two cultures in me, which allows me to understand my growing environment from both Eastern and Western perspectives, have a more comprehensive viewpoint on the boundaries between socialization and domestication, and deal with the conflict of structural oppression and agency more carefully. And a course introducing China has brought me a sense of belonging and warmth. :)
Academic Advice: I learn sociology with the mindset of "making the world and myself better". I am then passionate and motivated to engage in academia.
Shiloh Hurley '24
Major: Sociology and Education 
About me: I am a senior from Hoboken, New Jersey. On campus, I have worked as JB’s research assistant, worked for Off-Campus Study & Exchanges as a student assistant, and am on the E-Board of Bare. Outside of academics, I love spending time with my friends, reading, acting, watching films, and visiting the local cat shelter. Also, I have studied abroad in Stockholm, Sweden and Bath, England!
Why PAC? I joined PAC because I found it as a resource at first. The Peer Academic Couaches made a safe space where all questions asked were welcomed and encouraged. I hope to bring the same to others! I also just love sociology and talking with sociologists (PAC is perfect for this).
Favorite class and why: Curriculum and Instruction with Professor Sider is just one of my many favorite classes. In this class, we discussed how to teach social studies in diverse classrooms, how to support all students, how to promote creativity, how to approach students with differing views and ideas, how to build a safe classroom, how to incorporate and celebrate cultures, etc. Professor Sider engaged us with thoughtful readings, conversations, stories, trips, and Play-Doh!
Academic advice: Plan/think ahead and do not put things off until the last minute. You will thank yourself later. And of course, take care of yourself and take breaks (hang out with friends, go for a walk, read a book, etc!)
Annabelle Yep '24
Major: Sociology 
About me: I am a junior from Hong Kong. I'm passionate about sociology, art, political science, and literature. I love to read, listen to music, make art, bike, and watch movies in my spare time.
Why PAC?: Our sociology department is incredibly supportive and I'd love to be able to extend that support! I also have a lot of experience teaching children which I enjoy :). I think that being a PAC is a great opportunity to learn from my peers and hone my own skills.
Favorite class and why: I loved my China in Transition class with Professor Hou last semester, which was very holistic and perspective. I hope to further my sociological learning in more global contexts.
Academic advice: I think it's helpful to find out how you work best and to maintain a sustainable and manageable schedule. Don't neglect the support networks around you, such as professors and PAC!!