Northwestern CS Honors Outstanding Teaching Assistant and Peer Mentors

Each quarter, Northwestern CS honors and recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in computer science mentoring and teaching with Peter and Adrienne Barris Outstanding Teaching Assistant and Outstanding Peer Mentor awards.

Teaching assistants and peer mentors can be nominated by any member of the computer science department for service to the CS community that goes beyond expectations and for working with faculty to deliver courses and support of the highest quality.

“I want to thank all the wonderful and dedicated peer mentors and teaching assistants who work incredibly hard with our faculty,” said Samir Khuller, Peter and Adrienne Barris Chair of Computer Science at Northwestern Engineering. “In addition, thanks to everyone who wrote in nominations and to the selection committee.”

Jiwon Choi

Jiwon Choi (MS ’21) was named Peter and Adrienne Barris Outstanding Teaching Assistant for the fall 2021 quarter in recognition of her “incredible patience and heroic dedication” to graduate students in the COMP_SCI 214: Data Structures and Algorithms course, according to the nomination.

“She routinely spent hours at a time working with students and was available at all hours of the day and the night,” nominators said. “Jiwon consistently kept tabs on each of her students to make sure no one was falling behind.”

The award and evaluation feedback she received are meaningful to Choi.

“In the beginning, it was quite challenging. Since the students are coming from different computer science and electrical engineering backgrounds and different institutions, I had to adapt based on their knowledge,” Choi said. “All the kind words and kudos proved that I am a sufficient candidate to stay in academia.”

Choi earned a master’s degree in computer science in December 2021. Her thesis — "Quantitative Analysis of Holography Interpolation With NeRF" — focused on holography image rendering with neural radiance fields. A member of the Computational Photography Lab, Choi was advised by Oliver Cossairt, associate professor of computer science and of electrical and computer engineering; Jack Tumblin, associate professor of computer science; Florian Willomitzer, research assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Northwestern Engineering; and Marc Walton, co-director of the Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts, a joint partnership between Northwestern University and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Choi is a data scientist at PwrdBy, a technology startup company focused on social impact. She plans to pursue a doctoral degree and continue research in computer vision and machine learning.

Fall 2021 Outstanding Peer Mentors

The Northwestern CS peer mentor program is designed to ensure that students representing a range of computing backgrounds receive individual attention and real-time feedback.

Cooper Barth

Cooper Barth (’21) was an integral part of the COMP_SCI 110: Intro to Computer Programming team for several quarters.

“Cooper has consistently delivered beyond expectations,” nominators said. “Students highlighted his eagerness to help, friendly and approachable demeanor, and excellent sense of humor.”

Barth is a software engineer at Apple developing accessibility-related software for MacOS.

Abigail Coneeny

Abigail Coneeny is a fourth-year computer science student and peer mentor for the COMP_SCI 348: Intro to Artificial Intelligence course.

“PMs are well-versed in the subject material and are familiar with the common errors students make because they went through the same errors themselves,” Coneeny said. “While going to the professor can be intimidating for some people, going to a PM’s office hours is — or should be — entirely stress free. A PM is someone you can, and often do, share classes with that just has a bit more knowledge on this one topic and wants to help.”

Coneeny described the role of peer mentor as that of an understanding and experienced colleague.

“That I was granted this honor tells me that I made a difference for at least one student and that is something I am incredibly proud to be able to say,” Coneeny said.

Coneeny plans to pursue a career in industry and is considering a graduate degree.

“Abigail stands out for her deep knowledge and extreme diligence,” nominators said. “She always ensured that no students fell through the cracks, and always had just the right guidance to help students get over their current hurdles.”

Chase Duvall

Chase Duvall is earning a combined bachelor of arts and master of science in computer science degree. COMP_SCI 110 students nominated Duvall for the Outstanding Peer Mentor Award, in part, for his patience and generosity.

“He would always take time in tutorials to ensure everyone was on the same page and that no question was left unanswered,” nominators said.

One nomination recalled a two-hour tutoring session which was instrumental in sparking the student’s desire to learn more and go deeper into computer science.

“Peer mentors have helped me in my CS classes more times than I can count, and I’m glad to give back,” Duvall said. “One-on-one support from other undergraduates who understand the student experience really makes a difference. Whether in office hours, on class forums, or in tutorial sessions, it’s always gratifying to help someone have an ‘aha moment.’”

Duvall is co-president of Northwestern Develop + Innovate for Social Change (DISC). DISC works at the intersection of technology and social good, pairing teams of Northwestern students of all backgrounds and experience levels with local nonprofits in the Evanston and Chicago area to build websites, apps, and other tech projects.

Ariella Silver

A peer mentor for COMP_SCI 110, Ariella Silver is pursuing a combined bachelor’s degree in computer science and master’s degree in computer engineering.

“This recognition is really special to me because I have been able to work with hundreds of students over the past 2 years,” Silver said. “It is so gratifying to see people who have never programmed before becoming so excited and passionate about the CS field. I love being a part of that journey.”

Silver helps onboard new members of the COMP_SCI 110 peer mentor team.

“Ariella always goes the extra mile, and consistently volunteers to provide additional help to her students,” nominators said. “Her support extends beyond the class itself. Students also seek out Ariella for advice, mentorship, and technical expertise.”

Silver plans to move to New York in the fall to work as an associate software engineer at Capital One.

Hannah Zimmerman

Hannah Zimmerman, a third-year computer science student pursing a minor in Spanish, received an Outstanding Peer Mentor award for her work with students in the COMP_SCI 212: Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science course.

Students that nominated Zimmerman noted her caring and dedication. The nomination praised her “crystal clear explanations” and appreciated how she approached material in ways that contrasted and complemented lectures.

“Being a peer mentor helped me develop my love of teaching and create strong connections with the students in the class,” Zimmerman said. “This award is important to me because it lets me know that the students I helped benefitted from the experience as much as I did.”

Zimmerman is a flautist with the Northwestern University Marching Band, music director of an a cappella group, and a drop-in math tutor with Northwestern’s Academic Support and Learning Advancement.