The College Aides are student workers who help the administrative staff to keep the college running smoothly. You can find them just inside the main JE gate in the Receiving Office, and they are your go-to troubleshooting resource. The hours of the Receiving Office are 9-5, Monday-Friday. The aides interact with the Head of College and the Associate Head of College, the Head of College’s Senior Administrative Assistant, the Operations Manager, and the House Service Assistant. The Aides also staff events like the College Teas, study breaks, and college picnics. College Aides also assist with the opening of the college and freshmen move-in at the beginning of the academic year and with commencement activities at the close of the academic year. To contact the JE Aides, email jonathanedwards.aides@gmail.com.
The Aides 2025-2026
Ershai Matambanadzo | Head Aide
ershai.matambanadzo@yale.edu
Ershai is a senior from Berkeley, California majoring in History. At Yale, Ershai has been involved with the Yale Policy Institute, serving as Head of the Equal Justice Center, as well as the Yale Undergraduate Prison Project (YUPP) and the Lowenstein Project at Yale Law School. She is also part of the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy. In her free time, Ershai enjoys journaling, listening to music, and taking walks around Yale’s campus.
Favorite Memory: My favorite memory as an aide is working Commencement! It was so much fun bonding with the other aides, creating a meaningful sendoff for the seniors, working with Gygi, Nicole, and Shannon, and eating great food! It gave me a lot of appreciation for everything that makes JE and the residential college system so special!
Elle Paradis
elle.paradis@yale.edu
Elle is a senior majoring in Computer Science, but takes history courses wherever she can fit in her schedule. Originally from San Francisco, CA, she enjoys surfing and running along the beach when she’s home. At Yale, she loves sitting in the JE courtyard, getting coffee in the Elm, and studying in Haas Library. This year, Elle is captain of Yale’s Ultimate Frisbee team and excited for her fourth year as a JE College Aide.
Favorite Memory: Her favorite memory as an aide was the trip to New York City to see Sleep No More, an interactive play, with her fellow aides.
Elias Theodore
elias.theodore@yale.edu
Elias is a junior from New Haven majoring in Urban Studies. On campus, he is a FOOT leader and writing tutor and loves spending time with his JE friends.
Favorite Memory: Besides commencement, his favorite memory as an aide is working Head of College Teas. He enjoys setting up the food with Ms. Shannon, meeting the fellows, and listening to the fascinating speakers!
Daniela Rodriguez-Larrain Fernandez
daniela.rodriguez-larrainfernandez@yale.edu
Daniela is a junior from Woodbridge, CT. She is majoring in Global Affairs and getting certificates in French and Data Science. Apart from being a proud Spider, Daniela sings in a student band called Flannel as well as in two singing ensembles: Mixed Company of Yale and Tangled Up in Blue.
Favorite Memory: Daniela’s favorite memory is working Commencement during her Freshman and Sophomore years. She loved getting to know some of her fellow aides better and getting to try new restaurants around the New Haven area!
Yasmeen Yanez
yasmeen.yanez@yale.edu
Yasmeen, a Los Angeles native, is a rising senior majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. During her time at Yale, Yasmeen has served as Co-President for Mariachi Lux Et Veritas de Yale, Publicity and Social Media chair for LWAY, and of course a JE Aide!
Favorite Memory: One of her most cherished memories as an aide was working the senior and fellows picnic w/Gitlin Band. For her, the highlight wasn’t just helping set up for the event, it was also sharing a joyful moment on the dance floor with the aides, graduating seniors, and fellows.”
Peter Francis
peter.francis@yale.edu
Peter (he/him) is a Sophomore and proud Brooklynite of New York City, majoring in Neuroscience. Besides being a JE aide, Peter has been involved with Yale College Counsel (YCC) as a first year representative, a member of Yale’s Black Men’s Union, a leader for First-Year Outdoor Orientation Trips (FOOT) and dabbled into improv comedy as a member of The Viola Question.
Favorite Memory: My favorite memory as an aide was working the indoor spring picnic merch sale as a freshman. It was awesome chatting with aides and other spiders, eating good food and sharing laughs. Great vibes all around!
Katie Alvarez S
katie.alvarezs@yale.edu
Katie is a sophomore from Lawrenceville, Georgia majoring in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. At Yale, Katie has been involved with LWAY and Yale Dems, working alongside two different local election campaigns to encourage others to vote! This past summer, she studied abroad in Brazil to learn Portuguese. In her free time, Katie enjoys ranking albums, crocheting knicknacks, and dilly dallying while forming new experiences :)
Favorite Memory: My favorite memory as an aide is working the HoC Teas! I enjoy listening and learning more about our guests and their experiences. Teas are a great way to meet other spiders with similar interests, and I look forward to attending more this year!
Aniyah White
aniyah.white@yale.edu
Aniyah is sophomore from the Bronx, NY, studying electrical engineering. On campus, I am a mentor for Code Haven and apart of groups such as Y-AID and Funbotics. In my free time I love listening to music, as you can always see me with my headphones, going bowling, watching sports, writing poetry and going on spontaneous adventures with friends.
Two Cents: The present time is all we have so take advantage of the time you have now and never let doubt stop you from trying new things. Doubt is your biggest enemy but only if you let it to win — choose to try, even when you’re unsure.