2nd Year Experience Peer Mxntors

Maddie Mercado (she/her)

Fourth Year, Peer Mxntor 

College: Revelle College

Major/Minor: Political Science & Psychology

Hometown: Brea, CA

Advice to Second Year Students: The best thing you can do for yourself academically, socially, and mentally is to say yes! Say yes to study groups with people in your lectures, say yes to clubs or groups tabling on Library Walk that seem like they might interest you even a little bit, and say yes to cool seminars or classes that have nothing to do with your major! You never know what new passion or friend you'll find (:

2Excel Major/Minor Office Hours: 

2Connect Drop-In Hours: 

Catherine Leal (she/her)

Fourth Year, Peer Mxntor

College: Eleanor Roosevelt College

Major/Minor: Major in Human Biology & Minor in Business/ Global Health

Hometown: Orange County

Advice to Second Year Students: Join all and any clubs/organizations you can! Talk to your professors, you never know if they have opportunities for you such as internships or jobs. They may even be open to becoming your mentor if you build a professional relationship early on. Socializing and networking is an important skill not only in college but in navigating the world as well. 

2Excel Major/Minor Office Hours: Wednesdays 8-9am, Zoom: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/93413024575

2Connect Drop-In Hours: 

Dia Celaya Carrillo (she/they)

Fourth Year, Peer Mxntor 

College: Earl Warren College

Major/Minor: Majors: Public Health with a Concentration in Community Health Sciences & Ethnic Studies Minor: Political Science

Hometown: Baldwin Park, CA

Advice to Second Year Students: Understand that you have so much knowledge, community wealth, power, beauty, and kindness within yourself and once you let fear not dictate your decisions towards applying to opportunities, everything will be more easier to align. Please make sure you create a support system for the rest of your undergraduate journey as you cannot do the good and heavy work alone. Don't let people intimidate or minimize your experiences, accomplishment, and the way you take up space, another person needs to hear your voice. Take care of yourself spiritually and mentally so when things crumble, you be able to find resilience, power, and beauty within loss. This is your first time experiencing higher education, life, and new discoveries, be easy on yourself.

2Excel Major/Minor Office Hours: Mondays 12-1pm, Zoom: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/94105923592?pwd=G3YLVbXMkEUawF03IuQ4aqH373AqqJ.1 

2Connect Drop-In Hours:  

Jasmin Alvarez Ixcol (she/her)

Third Year, Peer Mxntor 

College: Earl Warren College

Major/Minor: Major in International Sociology & Minor in Cognitive Science

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Advice to Second Year Students: Don't change your values, beliefs, and who you are as a person to fit in with everyone else. Your unique experiences lead you to the path made for you. So, don't be afraid of being uncomfortable because that is a step further to growth. Don't change your roots, but try to branch out and embrace who you are becoming. Always be kind to not only others but also yourself as well. And remember to take it one step at a time! :)

2Excel Major/Minor Office Hours: Mondays 11am-12pm, Zoom: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/5425150393?omn=93113980893 

2Connect Drop-In Hours: 

Jessie Vu (she/her)

Fourth Year, Peer Mxntor 

College: Thurgood Marshall College

Major/Minor: Major in Social Psychology & Minor in Ethnic Studies

Hometown: Orange County, CA

Advice to Second Year Students: I would encourage you to do at least one thing alone that is out of your comfort zone. Whether that is going to office hours to ask for help or joining a new club to make connections, pushing yourself to reach out beyond your circle can prove to yourself that you are capable. This little lesson to yourself will carry on throughout college and will continue to impact and motivate you towards reaching new goals.

2Excel Major/Minor Office Hours: Fridays 10-11am, Zoom: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/6820427939?omn=96276169941

2Connect Drop-In Hours: 

Jordan Montgomery (she/her)

Fifth Year, Peer Mxntor 

College: Revelle College

Major/Minor: Human Developmental Sciences

Hometown: Vista, CA

Advice to Second Year Students: As a transfer student, I've experienced my fair share of readjustments, but I always remained determined to achieve all of my goals no matter where I ended up at. Always remember that when one door closes another one is bound to open. The path itself may look a little different than what you originally anticipated but it will still take you to where you want and should be!

2Excel Major/Minor Office Hours:

2Connect Drop-In Hours: 

Nathalia Magana (she/her)

Third Year, Peer Mxntor 

College: Thurgood Marshall College

Major/Minor: Major in Clinical Psychology & Minor in Global Health 

Hometown: Fillmore, CA

Advice to Second Year Students: Don't be afraid to join clubs and orgs on campus! Also, don't be afraid to talk to professors and attend office hours, they are there to support you too! College is a fun experience to learn about yourself but also about making the best memories. Enjoy the little and big moments of college! Remember to take time for yourself and be YOU!

2Excel Major/Minor Office Hours: Thursdays 10-11am,  Zoom: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/96341227614 

2Connect Drop-In Hours: