Former Peer Mentor Cohorts

Hello! I’m Aaron Mejia, a fourth-year student at CSUN. My academic journey began at Los Angeles Pierce College, where I had the opportunity to explore my interests and figure out what I wanted to do as a career. I’m now majoring in Sociology with a minor in Urban Planning. My goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Urban Planning and start a career as a planner in Los Angeles, where I aim to create thoughtfully designed spaces that serve the needs of the people. In addition to my academic pursuits, I really like board games and love trying out new hobbies. I’m also eager to share my experiences and insights on navigating the community college system—whether it’s seeking counseling services or transitioning to a four-year institution.

I'm a Belizean/American whose goal is to graduate with a master’s in psychology. I will then pursue to be a Board-Certified Behavior Analysts and open my own autism support center in California and in Belize. I am to help my community grow and evolve by providing myself as the bridge to a better future.

Hey everyone, my name is Elizabeth! I’m currently a senior here at CSUN, where I am majoring in sociology with a concentration in inequality and diversity. I’m also a first-generation college student that transferred from West Los Angeles College. After completing my bachelor’s degree I hope to follow a career where I can continue helping students in their journey through higher education. As an EMBARC peer mentor, I hope to be someone that you can come to when you have any questions or just want to have a conversation with. I am here to help you through your academic journey and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone!

My name is Jusin Haikal Thalib. I am a Los Angeles Pierce College transfer student, now undergoing my 2024 to 2025 senior year at California State University, Northridge. I am a psychology major with goals to get into a graduate school in order to later apply for and earn licensure to do mental health therapy work. I also volunteer as an advocate for sexual assault and domestic violence victims, and work as a full time son to a loving mother and brother to a great sister. I have struggled with figuring out what I wanted to do with my life, let alone transferring colleges, so I hope to help you through your transfer process as your mentor. Discovering one's career and educational direction is a long and continuous struggle, but I can be there every step of the way.

I am Precious Ugbala, a new transfer student at California State University, Northridge, majoring in nursing. Taking a year off before starting my program, I am excited to serve as a NIH peer mentor. With a passion for health and wellness, I aim to support and empower my fellow students as we navigate our academic and personal journeys together. I look forward to collaborating with my peers and mentors at CSUN to create a positive impact on our community.

My path has been defined by service and a dedication to lifelong learning as a veteran and committed student. My plan is to work at the VA and eventually start my own clinic to assist veterans and the community at large. I am currently obtaining my undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders. I can help community college students overcome academic barriers, create career objectives, and build resilience through life hardships since I have personal and educational experience. My top priority is to create a welcoming atmosphere where students can succeed and realize their potential.

Bio pending...

I am a first-generation college student, pursuing a bachelor’s degree at CSUN in sociology with a minor in Chicano studies. My goal is to go to USC for grad school where I plan to get into the social work program. I do want to earn a PhD in higher education in the future and work as an academic counselor.

Psychology

LA Pierce College

My name is Dia James, and I am a dedicated student and parent at Los Angeles Pierce College with a deep-seated passion for psychology. My brother's battle with schizophrenia served as the inspiration for my deeply personal journey into this field. This experience has not only shaped my academic pursuits but has also instilled in me a profound sense of empathy and determination.

Despite the hurdles life has thrown my way, I have excelled academically, earning recognition through honors and dean's list accolades. My ambition is to further my psychology studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, with the aim of obtaining a Doctor of Medicine degree in the field. Leadership roles such as the presidency of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors Society, mentoring within the EMBARC Project, and spearheading the SPARC initiative, have enriched my college experience, enhancing my leadership skills and my commitment to creating positive change.

Through my experiences, I have learned the power of sharing one's story and the importance of support networks. My goal is to leverage my own story and academic background to connect with and assist others who are navigating similar challenges, striving for sustainable solutions that can make a real difference in people's lives.

Neuroscience

LA Pierce College

Hey, I'm a student currently enrolled at Los Angeles Pierce College, with plans to transfer to a four-year university by fall of 2024. My academic journey has been a wild one, having started with a 2.1 GPA in high school ranking at the bottom 7% to achieving a 3.9 GPA in community college. I’d say I’m definitely a reminder that anyone can bounce back after an unsuccessful high school career.

My passion lies in Neuroscience, particularly in exploring the relationship between diet and brain function with a focus in a career in surgery. My research interest is on the detrimental effects of excessive consumption of sugars and fats, showing that our western diet not only heightens the risk of obesity but also produces deficits in learning and memory capabilities. My interest in neurological behavior stemmed from my struggles dealing with ADHD growing up and it’s been the driving engine behind my studies. Looking ahead, my ultimate goal is to delve deeper into trauma surgery, where I can apply my knowledge of neuroscience to make meaningful contributions to patient care and well-being.

I’ve excelled in most of my courses regarding science so don’t hesitate to reach out for any questions regarding EMBARC or science. I’d be happy to help.

Mechanical Engineering

East LA College

I am a mechanical engineering major currently taking classes at LA Trade Tech and East Los Angeles College. Some background on me, my family is from Jalisco, Mexico and my parents were both first-time college students. They instilled in me their hardworking traits and have supported me along my academic journey. Outside of school, I spend lots of time with various hobbies such as dirt biking, flying FPV drones, running, and driving. When the weather keeps me away from those hobbies, I enjoy my indoor hobbies: guitar, art, and 3D design/printing. I have so many passions my goal is that in the long run, my hobbies, academic goals, and professional pursuits can become interconnected. I hope to one day open an engineering firm where I can tinker with various projects ranging from aerospace to the household.

Sociology

LA Pierce College

Pending Bio...

Psychology

LA Pierce College

Hi, my name is Maya, and I'm a native of the vibrant San Fernando Valley! As a psychology major, I hope to forge a path in forensic psychology and delve deep into the intricacies of the criminal mind. My dream is to pursue a career in the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit, where I can further my studies in offender profiling and make meaningful contributions to understanding criminal behavior.

Sociology

LA Pierce College

Hello! My name is Samantha Pineda (she/her) and I am a first-generation Latina college student. I am currently attending Los Angeles Pierce College with a major in Sociology, planning to transfer by Fall 2024. During my early semesters at community college, establishing certainty in my preferred major was an idea that occupied my mind constantly, like many others. However, I thankfully found myself this summer while participating in EMBARC and fell into a deep realization that I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with different areas of academia in the research setting. By experiencing the relationships formed through EMBARC, I was shown the true significance of establishing community pre-transfer to improve post-transfer outcomes. Additionally, I’ve gained an interest in teaching and becoming a professor, following a conversation with my mentor, and I’m planning to explore this possibility following my transfer.

Psychology

LA Pierce College

Sara Jubier, a 20-year-old full-time Pierce College student, is pursuing a unique path toward a career in law via the lens of psychology. She is a psychology major and is motivated by a great curiosity about the human mind and its inner workings, which she sees as a foundation for comprehending legal concepts and human behavior in the judicial system. Her academic trajectory is defined by an intensive approach to her studies, demonstrating her drive to integrate psychological insights with legal methods. Sara's ultimate goal is to become an attorney, which displays her dedication to justice and desire to speak for individuals seeking fair representation. Throughout the course of her education, she is building the framework for a unique ability to address legal difficulties with empathy, critical thinking, and a multifaceted perspective. With each lecture, case study, and research assignment, Sara gets closer to her objective, preparing for the complexity of law school and beyond. Her experience at Pierce College is only the beginning of what promises to be a spectacular career at the junction of psychology and law, motivated by a desire to make a significant contribution to the field of law.

Psychology

LA Pierce College

Hi, my name is Vanessa Buchbinder (“book”binder) and I am second-year student at Pierce College, currently pursuing a major in psychology. I have aspirations to earn a Ph.D. in psychology, and I am enthusiastically committed to making meaningful contributions to the field of psychology. As I am dedicated to delving deeper into the field while aiming to mentor others in my areas of expertise.