Undergraduate Orientation Staff
Mary Kate Kelley (She/Her/Hers)
Director, Orientation and Student Experience
As the director of orientation, Mary Kate oversees pre-orientation, orientation, and first-year experience for new students to support students’ transition to Tufts. Mary Kate also serves as fraternity and sorority advisor and assists with other initiatives to increase the student experience.
Mary Kate holds a masters in higher education from Boston College and before working at Tufts worked in first year experience and housing at Endicott College and Boston College.
Peter Ciccarone (He/Him/His)
Assistant Director for Student Life, Orientation and First-Year Experience
Peter Ciccarone is an Assistant Director of Student Life for Orientation and First Year Experience at Tufts University. As a student affairs professional, Pete has spent his years in the field working with student leaders to leave their campuses better than they were when they arrived, through innovative programming, and intentional leadership. Pete received his bachelor's degrees in English Literature and Religious Studies at Stonehill College, before going onto study Higher Education, with a concentration in Spirituality, at Boston College. Peter could not be more excited to be a part of the Tufts’ community.
Kristina Mlynarova, (She/Her)
Orientation Graduate Assistant
Kristina is a first-year graduate student from Bratislava, Slovakia, studying Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School. She has a bachelor's degree in International Relations and History from Stony Brook University in New York, where she spent over half of her life. Kristina is a Staff Editor at the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, a student-run academic journal, as well as a Marketing and Administrative chair for the Decolonizing International Relations and Gender and International Affairs conferences. On campus, you can often find her writing a paper in Ginn Library.
Japora Chigabatia (She/Her), 2026
Orientation Coordinator, Operations and Logistics
Japora is a junior from Accra, Ghana majoring in Economics and double minoring in Finance and Entrepreneurship. On campus, Japora is the Treasurer and member of ENVY Ladies Step Team and the Student Manager at Kindlevan Cafe. She is also involved in many other clubs on campus. In her free time, you can find Japora trying out new dishes, watching movies, and listening to music. She was an Orientation Support Staff last year and is looking forward to coordinating and extending a warm welcome to the Class of 2028!
Joe Peterson, (He/Him), 2027
Orientation Coordinator, Social Media and Communications
Joe is a rising Sophomore from Minnesota majoring in Child Studies & Human Development and Civic Studies. Outside of class, you will frequently find Joe in the music and arts buildings on campus, whether that be singing with his acappella group, sQ!, on stage with TTII Musical Theatre, or songwriting in the practice rooms. He is also on a very serious mission to find the best iced coffee in the greater Medford/Somerville area. Joe is a Neubauer Scholar at Tufts and looks forward to conducting independent research within the program.
Joshua Wise, (He/Him), 2025
Orientation Coordinator, Programs and Major Events
Joshua is a rising senior from Ardsley, NY majoring in Biology, as he plans to attend graduate school for nursing. On campus, Joshua is a coordinator for TUSC (Tufts University Social Collective), where he plans and runs social events such as bingo, Fall Fest, Tuftonia's Day, and more. Aside from academics, Joshua is an EMT and certified personal trainer. If you ever see him in the gym, come say hi!