Saybrook 2025-26 FroCos

The First Year Counselors, or FroCos, all of them Saybrook seniors, play a special role in the college. Together with the Dean, they counsel and advise first-year students, living near them on campus and providing them with academic and personal counseling during the first year. In addition to bringing an important peer perspective to their roles, the FroCos receive special training in helping students adapt to college life.

Saybrook 2024-2025 FroCos

Head FroCo - Paul Douglass

Paul (He/Him) grew up in Concord, North Carolina before moving to Little Rock Arkansas. He is studying History with a certificate in Chinese. He is interested in government and law. At Yale he’s been involved with the Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project, Yale Students for Christ, Club Powerlifting, and the Saybrook college office. He loves reading, writing, hiking and going to the gym. If you like to travel strike up a conversation (studied this past semester in Beijing). Please reach out and he’s looking forward to being a FroCo to the Class of 2029!

 

Sam Yera

Sam (Samantha) Yera (she/her) is very proudly from the 305, Magic City: Miami, Florida. She is majoring in History, concentrating on Empires and Colonialism, with a special focus on Latin American history and politics. At Yale, she’s served as President of the Cuban American Undergraduate Student Association, performed with the ¡Oye! Spoken Word Poetry group, worked for the Library IT office and Y2Y New Haven, and is the current Treasurer for the Saybrook College Council. She loves traveling, going to the beach, and listening to her unique music mix of Taylor Swift and reggaeton. She can’t wait to fulfill the dream she’s had since her first year of being a Froco for Saybrook!

 

Danielle Ricketts

Danielle (she/her) was born and raised in Jamaica, but moved to West Haven, CT in grade nine. She is majoring in the History of Science, Medicine and Public Health (HSHM), with a certificate in Global Health Studies, and enjoys engaging in topics related to environmental justice and sustainability. On campus, she has loved spending lots of her time with Yale Students for Christ, and working as a Recruitment Coordinator for the Admissions Office since first-year. Danielle relishes every opportunity to be in nature, work out, have a warm bev, and play worship songs on her ukulele. She is so, so excited to welcome the class of 2029!!

Maria Arozamena

Maria (she/her) was born in Matanzas, Cuba but now calls Tampa, Florida home. She is majoring in English with a Writing Concentration and an Italian Certificate, and she is passionate about gothic literature, creative writing, and environmental humanities, amongst other pursuits! At Yale, she has been a member of the Cuban-American Undergraduate Students Association, the Yale Student Environmental Coalition, the Yale Daily News, Saybrook College Council, and she has been a student worker for the Italian Studies Department and the Saybrook College Office. Her favorite hobbies include painting, reading, writing, and roller skating, and she can usually be found lounging in the Saybrary or one of the two SY courtyards. She has been to three (3!) Pitbull concerts, seen Arctic Monkeys live, and is a Dominic Fike fiend. She’s so excited to be a Froco and can’t wait to meet you all!

 

Roy Kohavi

Roy (he/they) grew up in the rainy Seattle suburb of Bellevue, Washington — and then in what feels like thirty other places. At Yale, he’s majoring in Political Science and pursuing an intensive certificate in Education Studies, focusing on gendered rhetoric in American politics and the curriculum culture wars in schools. Outside the classroom, Roy is deeply involved in theater (talk to them about Broadway!) and performs with Yale’s sketch-comedy group, The Fifth Humour. He also enjoys giving campus tours and exploring New Haven and its surroundings — especially when an impromptu NYC trip is on the table! A passionate playwright and aspiring novelist, Roy always tries to carve out time for creative writing, even while planning for law school. In his free time, you can find him baking brownies with friends, playing late-night board games, napping in the Silliman Acorn, or rewatching Gilmore Girls for maybe the 100th time. Previously, Roy served on the board of the Yale College Democrats and as a Peer Liaison for the LGBTQ+ Center — but they’re most excited (and it’s not even close!) to support the Saybrook class of 2029 as a FroCo!

 

Samantha Suazo

Samantha Suazo (she/her) is from a rural town in Big Sky, Montana, though she was born and raised in Honduras. She is double majoring in Sociology and Ethnicity, Race, & Migration, with an Advanced Spanish Language Certificate. At Yale, she serves as President of both Lawtinas and Central Americans for Empowerment. She’s also involved with Ballet Folklórico, works as a research assistant, and mentors first-year students. She’s passionate about immigrant justice, storytelling, and building community wherever she goes. Ask her about her latest podcast project, her go-to coffee order, or the time she helped launch the first Spanish news outlet in Montana. She’s thrilled to be a Froco and can’t wait to support the class of 2029!

 

Zahra Virani

Zahra (she/her) is a proud Saybrugian from Houston, Texas (if you remember her being British during Bulldog Days, you’ve fallen victim to her annual bit). At Yale, she majors in Urban Studies and Art History, so you might find her exploring New Haven or Yale’s art collections under the guise of doing homework. She plays percussion in the Yale Symphony Orchestra and the Yale Concert Band, and when she isn’t in rehearsal, she is likely doing some kind of arts and crafts. If you are looking for Zahra, she is probably at Whale Tea, a Saybrook College Council meeting, Hendrie Hall, or ordering Taco Bell to her dorm. She is excited to be a Froco and pass down her wisdom from 3 years in the best college at Yale (SAY WHAT?!!)

 

Langdan Zhu

Langdan Zhu (he/him) is from the city of Anaheim, California. He is majoring in Physics, focusing on intersections with Computer Science and finance. At Yale, he is mainly involved in the Yale Political Union and the ballroom dance scene. He enjoys cooking, traveling, stamp collecting, horology, and (as referenced before) competitive ballroom dance. He’s excited to be a FroCo and can’t wait to meet the class of 2029!

Taha Zulfiqar

Taha (he/him) is from sunny Orlando, Florida. He is majoring in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry and is on the pre-med track. At Yale, he has worked with Student Technology Collaborative, the Saybrook Buttery, a Small-cell Lung Cancer lab, and he volunteers with the HAVEN Free Clinic and HAPPY. He loves playing cricket, watching TV shows or playing video games. Talk to him about any sport, his favorite music, or any deep question you’re ready to debate—he’s always up for a good conversation. He’s excited to be a FroCo and can’t wait to meet the class of 2029!

 

Karinne Tennenbaum

Karinne (she/her) hails from the wholesome midwestern city of Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology on track to an academic career in ornithology. She is passionate about research, education, conservation, and inclusivity. At Yale, she works as a STEM Science Tour Guide and a Yale Peabody Museum Tour Guide. She also serves as President of the Yale Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Undergraduate Group (YEEBUG) and Co-President of the Yale Birding Student Association (YBSA). Ask her about her recent reads or her trips to Chile and Panama! Find her at Beinecke Plaza with Yale Club Jump Rope or out on the pickleball courts. She is thrilled to be a FroCo and excited to welcome the Saybrugian Class of 2029!