Mayra Garces | she/her/ella
SES Associate Director, SAW Director
SAW Staff & Faculty
SAW Leadership Team
The SAW Leadership Team collaborates to ensure that academic and co-curricular experiences during SAW are meaningful and interconnected.
SAW Student Leadership Team
The SAW Student Leadership Team assist the SAW Director in major components of SAW co-curricular programming and serve as a knowledgeable support to the SAW Counselors. The SAW GA and Senior SAW Counselors also live in the residence hall with SAW participants.
SAW Counselors
The SAW Counselors are upper-class students trained to support incoming first year students. They have a wealth of knowledge and are excited to welcome incoming students to the Northwestern Community. SAW participants can expect to be matched with a SAW Counselor at the program's start. SAW counselors also live in the residence hall with participants.
SAW Faculty
There are 2 academic components to SAW, a Cook Family Writing Program and School of Communication course. All SAW students are enrolled in these credit bearing courses, and they are taught by passionate and dedicated faculty invested in student success.
Elizabeth Lenaghan | she/her/hers
Cook Family Writing Program, SAW Academic Director
Rick Incorvati | he/him/his
School of Communication SAW Liaison & Facilitator
Marcia Maxson | she/ella/賴賷
2025 SAW Graduate Assistant
Kaitlyn Salgado-Alvarez | she/her/hers
2025 Senior SAW Counselor
What piece of advice would you share with an incoming FGLI first-year?
"Stay connected! That can mean to your community, other FGLI students, mentors, or counselors- stay connected to people on campus and we'll support you through everything! <3"
Andres Arencibia | he/him
2025 SAW Counselor
What piece of advice would you share with an incoming FGLI first-year?
"The journey through college is as much about personal growth as it is about academic achievement, and you'll find that, with the support of your peers and mentors, you're capable of navigating any challenge that comes your way."
Joelle Bikoba | she/her
2025 SAW Counselor
What piece of advice would you share with an incoming FGLI first-year?
"Know that there are people around you who are rooting for your success. Find them and lean on them whenever things get tough."
Jemimah Nabugasha | she/her
2025 SAW Counselor
What piece of advice would you share with an incoming FGLI first-year?
"It will be hard and the imposter syndrome will be high but remember you belong here, and you will be fine!"
Aaron James | he/him
2025 SAW Counselor
What piece of advice would you share with an incoming FGLI first-year?
"Always read the SES newsletter when it is sent and remember that you are not alone!"
Brian Sang | he/him
2025 SAW Counselor
What piece of advice would you share with an incoming FGLI first-year?
"Be proud of your roots and know you're not alone- there are a lot of FGLI resources on campus, so take advantage of them!"
Fejiro Felix-Okpe | she/her/hers
2025 SAW Counselor
What piece of advice would you share with an incoming FGLI first-year?
"Don’t feel like you have to have everything figured out right away. There’s no need to rush deep into one path just because it seems like everyone else has. You have time to explore, grow, and learn what really feels right for you. Be intentional with your choices, stay open to new experiences, and trust that clarity will come as you give yourself space to figure things out."
Aizam Abd Rahman | he/him/his
2025 SAW Counselor
What piece of advice would you share with an incoming FGLI first-year?
"Smile! Breathe. Take it one step at a time. Everything will fall into place, and you will find your place! You belong here, so embrace Northwestern with both arms, and say yes to new opportunities and moments--you never know where it's going to take you!"
Michael Turcios | he/him/his
Instructor | School of Communication
Christina Nguyen | she/ her/ hers
Instructor | School of Communication
Thomas Bradshaw| he/him/his
Instructor | School of Communication
Elizabeth Lenaghan | she/ her/ hers
SAW Academic Director & Instructor | Cook Family Writing Program
Charles Yarnoff | he/ him/ his
Instructor | Cook Family Writing Program
Leslie Fischer | she/ her/ hers
Instructor | Cook Family Writing Program