Becki Baker

Director of Pre-College Programs

pronouns: she/her

Becki has worked in youth programming for over 25 years. She holds degrees in History and Political Science from University of Missouri-Columbia and Art History from University of Missouri-St. Louis. She earned a certificate in Marketing from WashU and completed the College Advising Program through Teachers College at Columbia University. Becki spent ten summers working for Camp Highlander in Mills River, North Carolina, five of which were as program director, before joining WashU in 2010. Becki is an active member in the American Camp Association and is part of the Camps on Campus Leadership Team. She has served on the advisory boards of the Association for Pre-College Program Directors and the EducationUSA Summer Academy. Becki is an advocate for college access and is dedicated to providing personalized advising experiences to ensure students are prepared for college success.

Becki grew up in St. Charles, Missouri where she now lives with her husband and 7 year-old daughter. She is an avid baker, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri volunteer, and enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors. She loves documentaries and is a voracious reader of biographies, memoirs, and historical fiction, though most of her reading these days is spent on first grade favorites like Dr. Seuss, Pete the Cat, and Nevergirls.

Jakyla Willis

Program Supervisor

pronouns: she/her

Jakyla is an alumna of WashU who currently works in behavioral health and will be pursuing her Master of Social Work at the WashU Brown School this fall. In undergrad, Jakyla majored in African and African American Studies and enjoyed taking Psychology classes. Both focuses helped broaden her knowledge on two subjects she finds extremely fascinating as well as important. As a Trio scholar, she was able to flourish in her classes while serving three years on Harambee Christian Ministries Executive Team.

In her free time, she enjoys reading books, discussing television characters, and listening to music. Two unique hobbies of hers include making digital designs and social media marketing. She is an advocate for the youth who she hopes to continue working with, preferably in the healthcare field. Most of all, Jakyla hopes to use her future degree(s) and experience to help children in marginalized communities. This will be Jakyla's fifth summer with our programs.

Christian Smalls

Program Supervisor

pronouns: she/her

Christian received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychological and Brain Sciences from WashU and completed her Master of Social Work from WashU Brown School of Social Work this spring. She works in Behavioral Health at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. During her time as an undergrad at WashU, Christian enjoyed volunteering in the greater St. Louis community, working as a nanny, and being a leader for Overflow Christian Ministries on campus.

In her free time, Christian enjoys hiking, reading, building her music library, and crocheting. Christian is passionate about making meaningful connections with the people around her and hopes to use her education and experiences to continue to be an advocate for child and adolescent mental health. This will be Christian's third summer with our programs.

Bu Meh

Program Supervisor

pronouns: she/her

Bu is a recent graduate of WashU, where she majored in Anthropology with a focus on Global Health and Environment. She is pursuing her MPH at WashU’s School of Public Health. Born in Thailand and raised in Tucson, Arizona, she now lives in Michigan. During her undergraduate years, she served as a Taylor Scholars mentor, supporting fellow first-generation students as they navigated their transition to college life. She is deeply committed to building inclusive communities and creating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered. As the middle child of five siblings, Bu finds comfort in her mom’s spicy dishes and her sister’s homemade coconut noodles—two meaningful connections to home. In her free time, she enjoys FaceTiming her nephew, listening to music, and taking long nature walks. This is Bu's second summer with our programs.

Barbra Aber

Program Supervisor

pronouns: she/her

Barbra is an international student from Uganda currently pursuing a dual Master of Social Work and Master of Social Policy at the WashU Brown School of Social Work.  She is passionate about advancing systems that promote the well-being of children, families, and communities.

In her free time, Barbra enjoys taking long walks, reading, and watching movies. She values opportunities to volunteer and actively contributes to initiatives that promote human worth and dignity for all. As someone new to the United States, she is enjoying learning about the culture and building meaningful connections within her new community.

Margaret Beltrami

Lead Support Program Assistant

pronouns: she/her

Margaret is a senior double majoring in Educational Studies and Environmental Analysis, as well as minoring in French. Outside of class, she is part of WashU’s triathlon club, run club, and Gateway to the Great Outdoors club, and is currently working on an independent research project in the Education Department about sustainability education in schools. Some of her other interests include reading, the outdoors, baking, and spending time with family and friends. Margaret participated in this program as a high schooler, was a Program Assistant two summers ago, and is very excited to be back for another summer!

Isa Gelerter

Program Assistant

pronouns: she/her

Isa is a junior majoring in Mathematics. She's involved in Army ROTC and Run Club.  She's lived in eight different places throughout her life, including Okinawa and Germany. In her free time, she loves to paint, hang out with friends, work out, and shop! This will be Isa's second summer working with our programs.

River Alsalihi

Program Assistant

pronouns: she/her

River is a senior studying Sociology and Writing with the ultimate goal of attending law school after graduation. She is an editor for the Forum section of Student Life Newspaper, the Director of Copy for Armour magazine, and the host of “Hope Springs Eternal” on KWUR 90.3 FM. River also plays the piano and writes poetry. This will be River's second summer working with our programs.

Alana Mello

Program Assistant

pronouns: she/her

Alana is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences and minoring in Linguistics. On campus, she’s part of a research lab on Student Emotions and Belonging, a TRIO Scholar, a member of a sorority, and works at the WashU preschool. Alana is on the pre-occupational therapy track and will be shadowing in several different OT settings this summer, in addition working at the WashU Nursery School Summer Camp as a lead teacher. Alana is from the Boston area and has two dogs named Baxter and Bailee. In her free time, she loves to read, get food, bake, and go on walks. This will be Alana's second summer working with our programs.

Yanfei Zhang

Program Assistant

pronouns: she/her

Yanfei is a junior majoring in Finance with a second major in Economics & Strategy and a minor in Architecture. Born in China and raised in Centerville, Ohio, she has always embraced her name and identity—never adopting an “English” name, as she loves the uniqueness and meaning behind it. On campus, she is involved in Women in Finance and the Human-Computer Interaction Club (WashUX), where she explores her interests at the intersection of business and design. In her free time, she loves traveling, photography, spending time with her two crazy cats, and watching hockey. She’s a big fan of the Michigan Wolverines (despite growing up in Ohio!) and the Pittsburgh Penguins. This summer, she’s excited to meet new people, build connections, and contribute to a fun and meaningful program experience.

Cielo Vargas

Program Assistant

pronouns: she/her

Cielo is a rising junior from Lima, Peru, majoring in General Biology with a minor in French. On campus, she is an undergraduate research assistant in a biomedical engineering lab and is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity. In her free time, Cielo enjoys going to the gym, dancing, exploring new cafés, thrifting, and listening to music.

Linxiang Chen

Program Assistant

Pronouns: he/him

Linxiang is a sophomore majoring in Accounting and Supply Chain, Operations, & Technology, with a minor in Applied Microeconomics. Originally from Shanghai, China, he also spent several years in New Jersey before coming to WashU. On campus, Linxiang supports first-year students as a WashU Student Associate (WUSA) and works with students across St. Louis as an America Reads Tutor. He is excited to bring that same energy to the Pre-College program this summer, helping everyone feel at home while building lasting memories. In his free time, Linxiang loves playing the piano and going to the gym.

Winston Mattson

Program Assistant

Pronouns: he/him

Winston Mattson is a junior majoring in Environmental Analysis on the pre-law track. Originally from the Chicago area, he now calls St. Louis home while exploring his interests in environmental policy, community engagement, and the ways cities can become more sustainable and equitable. With a strong curiosity about how systems work—and how they can work better—Winston enjoys connecting big ideas to real-world impact. On campus, Winston is actively involved in community-focused work, from collaborating with local organizations on urban forestry and food access initiatives to supporting civic engagement efforts through WashU’s Gephardt Institute. He enjoys working with diverse groups of people and believes that the best solutions come from collaboration, creativity, and a willingness to ask good questions.  

Outside the classroom, Winston can usually be found hiking, baking fresh bread, experimenting with creative projects, or laughing through an improv comedy set. He has a soft spot for trees, great conversations, and the smell of old books. As a Pre-College PA, he’s excited to help students feel welcomed, supported, and confident as they experience college life at WashU—while also making sure they have some fun along the way.

Tatiana Caldera

Program Assistant

Pronouns: she/her

Tatiana is a rising sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Psychological & Brain Sciences with a minor in Public Health & Society. On campus, Tatiana is involved in Taylor Scholars, WUFuego (WashU’s Performance & Social Latin Dance Team), Carnaval, and works as a Bear Ambassador in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 

Tatiana participated in the Healthcare Continuum Institute during the summer of 2023. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, reconnecting with hometown friends, and coloring on her iPad while listening to Disney classics. This summer, she is excited to meet new people, create amazing memories, and order iced vanilla lattes from Coffeestamp (a tradition she started back in 2023!).

Maya Mathisson

Program Assistant

Pronouns: she/her

Maya is a rising senior majoring in History and Educational Studies with a minor in American Culture Studies. She is from Westchester, New York, and recently spent a semester studying abroad in Prague. On campus, Maya is an Editor-in-Chief of Spires Intercollegiate Arts & Literary Magazine, she plays on WashU’s women’s ultimate frisbee team, and she is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, the community service fraternity. In her free time, she loves hiking, spending time outdoors, and exploring new places. She is excited to meet new students and get to know everyone this summer!

Kayla Rambod-Sarrieu

Program Assistant

Pronouns: she/her

Kayla is a sophomore double-majoring in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology and Political Science: International Politics with a minor in French. Kayla is from Scottsdale, Arizona and is extremely passionate about mental health advocacy and education reform. She volunteers for various organizations such as NAMI St. Louis as well as Teach for America. In her free time, she loves sketching, painting, and playing the electric guitar, she also loves playing tennis and skiing.

Yami Lopez

Program Assistant

Pronouns: she/her

Yami is a sophomore studying Global Studies with a concentration in International Affairs and is pursuing minors in Organization and Strategic Management and Marketing. As a first-generation Afro-Latina, she is deeply passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered, especially for communities that are often overlooked.

Yami is also an Annika Rodriguez Scholar and during her time at WashU, Yami has been involved in student leadership, community service, and creative projects that center culture, storytelling, and connection.

Outside of school, Yami enjoys watching films (especially thrillers and anime), thrifting, traveling, feeding stray animals in the Dominican Republic, and expressing herself through creative and meaningful work.