Meet our Fall 2025 Peer Mentors!

Paulina Sinkevich

Class: Sophomore
Major: Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, Illinois
About me: Hey y’all! My name is Paulina Sinkevich and I’m a sophomore majoring in Human Development and Family studies, with a double major in Psychology. I’m from Buffalo Grove, Illinois which is a part of the northern suburbs of Chicago. I enjoy reading books, eating food, spending time with friends, and watching TV shows! I love Iowa State because of the endless opportunities it has to offer. I’m part of many clubs, and am a member of Kappa Omicron Nu, a honor society for students in the College of Human Sciences. I’m excited to meet all of you and help everyone get familiar with this beautiful campus! 

Kennedy Zook

Class: Sophomore
Major: Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology
Hometown: Normal, Illinois
About me: Hello all! My name is Kennedy Zook and I’m a sophomore working on my double degree in Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology. I’m currently living in Normal, Illinois which is right in the middle of Illinois. When I’m not working on the endless pile of school work you can find me reading, doing art or spending time with my friends. Something that I love about Iowa State is how much there is to learn from the people here; the professors are super open and happy to share their research with you and there’s a wide variety of students to learn from. I’m excited to get the chance to meet everyone and help you acclimate to the new environment here at ISU! 

Lainey Knipper

Class: Sophomore
Major: Human Development and Family Studies with an endorsement in Health
Hometown: Hopkinton, Iowa
About me: Hey guys! My name is Lainey Knipper and I am a Sophomore majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences Education with an endorsement in Health. I am from a small town called Hopkinton, Iowa, which is in Eastern Iowa. When I am not at Iowa State you will find me at home spending time with my family, friends, and my show goats! One thing that I love about Iowa State is that even though it’s really big, it still has a community feeling to it. I still see people that I went to high school with and I love that. I’m excited to meet everyone in HDFS 1100 and help you through your first year at Iowa State!  

Fayeth Henningsen

Class: Junior
Major: Early Childhood Education with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies
Hometown: DeWitt, Iowa
About me: Hello everyone! My name is Fayeth Henningsen, and I am a junior majoring in Early Childhood Education, with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. I call the southeastern part of the state home, more specifically a small town called DeWitt, Iowa. I am a very bubbly person and am always up for iced chai, a romance novel, and dance parties including showing off my (self-taught) moon walking moves! Iowa State has brought me endless opportunities to explore my passion for teaching, grow strong friendships, and develop my leadership skills as I look to start my career. I look forward to helping you gain similar opportunities to get the most out of your college experience as well!