Meet the PIER 21 Peer Educators | University of Miami

Student Staff

	Ariel Hernandez was born and raised in Miami, FL and is in his third year at the University of Miami. He is a senior majoring in Instrumental Performance in the Frost School of Music. In his third year with the Dean of Students Office, he is the senior peer educator for PIER 21: The William W. Sandler, Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education. In addition to his duties with PIER 21, he is also actively involved on campus as a member of the University Disciplinary Hearing Panel, serves as the Vice President of the Undergraduate Honor Council, and is the President & Co-Chair of BACCHUS. Ariel also served in Student Government as the Senator for the Frost School of Music from 2010-2011. He has a strong passion for working with students, frequently sitting on committees within the Division of Student Affairs and plans on pursuing a Masters and PH.D in Higher Education Administration upon graduating. Ariel was named the winner of the Laurel Award for Outstanding Job Performance by an Undergraduate Student in 2011 and represents the University of Miami at the BACCHUS Network National and Regional Conferences. In his spare time, Ariel enjoys performing music, watching movies, theme parks & sports.

	Mariam Almasi is from South Miami, FL and is a senior in the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Miami. She is double majoring in Health Science for Pre-Physical Therapy and English Literature, with a minor in Psychology. She is entering her second year with the Dean of Students Office as a peer educator for PIER 21: The William W. Sandler, Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education. Along with her position at PIER 21, Mariam is also involved on campus with Random Acts of Kindness (RAK), Physical Therapy Student Association, and is the Vice President of BACCHUS. She is certified in Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS). Mariam enjoys reading, bicycling, cooking, and learning about other cultures. She is trilingual (English, Spanish, Farsi) and would like to learn Greek and Russian.

	Rachel Krantz is a junior majoring in Public Relations and Economics, with minors in Political Science and Health Sector Management at the University of Miami. Despite being far from her home state of Colorado, she has enjoyed getting involved at UM and is in her first year as a peer educator for PIER 21: The William W. Sandler, Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education. Rachel is an active member of the Undergraduate Honor Council and President's 100, serves as the Alumnae/Collegiate Relations chair in her sorority (Zeta Tau Alpha), and is on the Public Relations Student Society of America Executive Board. Upon graduating, she would like to work in the health care industry as a public relations practitioner. In her free time, Rachel enjoys cooking and traveling.

	William Krinickas was born in Bogota, Colombia and is currently a sophomore at the University of Miami pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (Pre-Med track). He is currently in his second year as a peer educator for PIER 21: The William W. Sandler, Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education. William is also involved on campus as an enrolled Cadet in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program, is a proud member of the University's Triathlon club (the TriCanes), and through his fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon (ΣΦΕ). He has a strong passion for peer education, his involvements on campus, and informing others on the dangers of high-risk alcohol misuse and abuse. He hopes to serve as an advocate and catalyst for change amongst students in regards to AOD issues by providing his peers with the knowledge to make sound decisions. In his spare time, William enjoys outdoor activities, going to the gym, and rollerblading.