The Ambassadors of Letters and Science (ALAS) are distinguished scholars who represent the College of Letters and Science to diverse audiences, including prospective students, families, peers, campus leadership, and the wider community. Meet our Ambassadors for 2026-2027 below.
Learn more about our ambassadors such as why they chose UC Davis, any extracurriculars or hobbies that they like to do in their free time, as well as one piece of advice that they would like to share with new students.
Amazing-Grace Olatunji, Junior (she/her)
Political Science
San Leandro, California
Amazing-Grace chose UC Davis because it offers a wide range of opportunities for both personal growth and community building. There truly is a place for everyone here, both academically and socially.
Amazing-Grace is an active member of my community, volunteering regularly at her hometown church, where she takes initiative in organizing food pantry events to support local families and individuals in need. In addition to her service work, she is passionate about bringing people together through cooking, singing and reading, which helps her maintain a balanced perspective and creative approach.
Her advice to new students is to never doubt that you belong here. You are worthy of every opportunity that comes your way, so keep working hard and making this space your own!
Azalea Sevcik, Sophomore (she/her)
Sociology, Organizational Studies (Minor in Spanish)
Irvine, California
Azalea chose to go to UC Davis because the second she stepped foot on campus, she just felt comfortable. She instantly felt the warm and inviting energy of Davis and fell in love. She also found that Davis is a great school academically, and she loved the beautiful campus and downtown.
Azalea is a First Year Experience Peer Mentor and is part of Outdoor Crew (UC Davis’s Hiking Club)! She loves reading, watching movies, going to the gym, listening to music, and meeting new people!
The advice she would give to new students at UC Davis is to put themselves out there. There are so many clubs, classes, and opportunities on campus and if you try you will be able to find your people!
Daisy Contreras, Junior (she/her)
Cognitive Science
Salinas, California
Daisy chose UC Davis because of its welcoming environment, beautiful campus, and strong college-town feel. When she visited during Aggie Day and attended different events, she could really see herself here. What stood out to her most was the sense of community and how many resources are available to help students succeed, which made her feel like UC Davis truly cares about its students and their growth.
She currently works at the Student Community Center, serves as a returning Orientation Leader, and is part of the executive board for the So K-pop club. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places around Davis, listening to music, going to concerts, and watching movies.
Her advice to new students is to put yourself out there and take advantage of all that UC Davis has to offer. Don't be afraid to try new things, you never know where you might find your people!
Emma Clifford, Sophomore (she/her)
English (Minor in Education)
San Diego, California
Emma chose UC Davis for its vibrant, tight-knit community on and off campus. UC Davis epitomizes academic excellence in the classroom, but it also provides so many opportunities for non-classroom based learning.
Emma is an active member of the Davis College Democrats and is politically active in the Yolo County community. She is also a Regents Scholar and a member of the University Honors Program. In her free time, Emma loves to read and go to the movies!
Her advice to new students is to grant yourself grace as you transition into this new chapter. Also, don't be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone!
Emily Ayala, Junior (she/her)
Ambassador Lead
Political Science and Chicana/Chicano Studies
Turlock, California
Emily chose UC Davis for the location, being extremely close to the capital aligns with her future career goals as well as the tranquil environment that the UC Davis campus has to offer. Being able to go home on the weekend was also a plus for her!
Her advice to new students is to ask questions, it could be extremely scary to ask but it needs to be done! Becoming your own advocate is the best thing you could do, and a perfect time to start is in college. The staff in all the different departments, whether that be the financial aid office, major departments etc., are extremely nice and there to help you!
In her free time, Emily can be seen eating good food around campus and working at the School of Law as a student assistant.
Iteoluwa Aladesanmi, Junior (she/her)
Data Science
Ile Ife, Nigeria
Iteoluwa chose UC Davis because it felt like a place where growth isn't rushed, rather cultivated. She saw something powerful about being in a community that values both where you come from and where you’re going. This is very important for her as she struggled to find community when she first moved to the US. When she toured Davis, she saw it as the community that she was lacking and she's happy to be here!
In addition to being an Ambassador, Iteoluwa serves as operations director for UC Davis' Annual Picnic Day. She also loves writing and reading theoretical books.
The advice she would give to new students is something her grandma always said: Má bẹ̀rù láti bẹ̀rẹ̀ tuntun, béèrè ìbéèrè, ṣe aṣìṣe, kí o sì dagba; ìrìnàjò rẹ ni. Don't be afraid to start fresh, ask questions, make mistakes, and grow; this journey is yours.
Iqra Ahmad, Junior (she/her)
Political Science and Psychology
Orange County, CA
Iqra chose UC Davis because she loved the welcoming spirit of the students and campus. She is inspired by the beauty of campus and to be surrounded by students who are both academically ambitious and mindful of appreciating the world around them.
Iqra is a writer for The California Aggie's Arts and Culture Desk, a Professional Development Associate for the Davis Pre-Law Society, a MAP Mentor for the College of Letters and Science, and a research assistant in the Political Science Department.
One piece of advice she would give to new students at UC Davis is to acknowledge that you have the potential to do anything you want to achieve. You're here because you earned to be here, so take chances and give your best effort, believe in yourself! There are so many people and resources on campus ready to support you and cheer you on every step of the way.
Jasmine Khdrlaryan, Junior (she/her)
Political Science
Los Angeles, California
Jasmine chose UC Davis because of its excellence in various disciplines and ideal location. The campus itself is a hub of activity that brings people together, and the town offers a rich array of experiences. Jasmine works at the UC Davis Mabie Law Library, is involved in the Davis College Democrats and Armenian Students Association, and has had the opportunity to work on multiple political campaigns for candidates.
Her advice to new students is to expand your network as much as possible by joining clubs, attending events, and applying for new positions. The more you put yourself out there and get involved, the more doors to new opportunities will arise. She recommends finding nice study spots like the Shields Library, taking strolls in the Arboretum, and exercising at the ARC.
In her free time, Jasmine likes to check out new coffee and food shops downtown and walk around the Farmer’s Market.
Jessica Zhou, Junior (she/her)
Psychology and Human Development
Irvine, California
Jessica chose UC Davis because of its small-town vibes and a welcoming community that helped her transition into the independence of young adulthood.
As a double major in psychology (B.A.) and Human Development, Jessica is interested in studying the interaction between the mind and behavior, and strives to become a counselor in the future.
In her freetime, she loves to head to Peet's Coffee to study, shop for novels in the downtown Avid Reader store, and write creatively.
Josie Peinemann, Junior(she/her)
Ambassador Lead
Cognitive Science and Communication
Culver City, California
Josie was drawn to UC Davis by the high achieving yet friendly and supportive atmosphere. She applied "Undeclared" and has greatly appreciated the many opportunities for major and career exploration. Josie enjoys working with other people and is very involved in campus activities. She is a Regents Scholar and a member of the University Honors Program, participates in technical theater as a member of Studio301Productions, and has been a peer mentor both within and outside of L&S. If you see her on campus tutoring for the UC Davis Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers (AATC), say hello!
Josie’s advice for new students is to not be afraid of being undeclared, changing your major, or not knowing exactly what you want to do yet. Use GEs to your advantage in exploring your interests, step out of your comfort zone in trying new experiences and meeting new people, and familiarize yourself with and utilize campus resources, which can be extremely helpful both academically and personally. There are so many ways to find or create your niche and feel connected at UC Davis!
In her free time, you can find her connecting to her cultures through cooking and baking, enjoying a warm mug of tea, listening to audiobooks, catching up with friends at the Farmers Market, and taking walks in the North Davis Greenbelt!
Katie Cohen, Junior (she/her)
Ambassador Lead
Sociology (Minor in Medical Humanities)
Los Angeles, California
Katie chose UCD because of the incredibly warm and welcoming community that she found instantly once she stepped on campus. She wanted a school that she could truly call a second home, and she found that here at Davis. Katie is a peer advisor for the Sociology department, where she has the pleasure of advising other students in her major!
In her spare time, Katie loves to cook and bake! She is always trying out new recipes and playing with flavors. She also always loves to read and write. One piece of advice Katie would give to new students is not to feel pressured to have to do everything - there are many opportunities at UC Davis, but you should also do things at your own pace, and if you want to go slow, go slow.
Kyhara J. Crespin Choque, Junior (she/her)
Design (Minor in Computer Science)
Mountain View, California
Kyhara fell in love with UC Davis when her tour guide shared stories about campus life. Perhaps it was because it was a lovely day, but as she walked through campus, she truly envisioned herself going there. Whether it was coming to class, having a picnic with friends on the Quad, getting a cup of coffee at the MU, or simply being a college student, it seemed like a community she wanted to be a part of. Now, aside from the campus itself, she chose UC Davis for its diversity. As a first-generation Latina student, she values the opportunity to connect with other students from similar backgrounds.
Her advice for new students is to explore as much as they can and try new things. This is a new environment, and there is a lot to do at UC Davis, so students should never be afraid to put themselves out there. She wants students to know that they are never alone and that there is a wide variety of resources and communities for them. Students are the ones making this campus great, so it’s really easy to get involved and, of course, have fun!
In her free time, Kyhara goes on runs, hangs out with friends, and tries new foods. She is looking forward to her summer 2026 internship abroad in Seoul, South Korea!
Marissa Yeh, Junior (she/her)
Psychology (Double Minor in Human Development and Sociology)
Houston, Texas
Marissa chose UC Davis as an out-of-state student because she was excited to step outside of her comfort zone and experience something new. She was drawn to the unique balance Davis offers, a college town with its own charm, yet it's just a short trip away from major cities, perfect for weekend getaways. What really stood out to her was the supportive campus environment, along with the wide range of academic resources and opportunities that help students grow both personally and professionally.
She is currently a Research Assistant in the "Sleep Architecture and Cognition in Focal Epilepsy" lab, as well as a member in mental health clubs and organizations such as SHARED and BBRC (Brain and Behavior Research Club). She enjoys baking, spending time with friends, going on matcha runs, and trying new restaurants!
Marissa's advice to new students at UC Davis is to step outside your comfort zone and explore all that campus life has to offer; whether that means joining clubs, attending events, or trying out new organizations. Take the time to explore different opportunities because you never know which one might become your community, your passion, or even your home away from home!
Miguel Rios Cruz, Senior (he/him)
Psychology
Los Angeles, California
Miguel chose to go to UC Davis because it felt like a place where he could truly grow both personally and academically. He has a strong passion for working with people, and Davis provides many opportunities to engage with others through community involvement, leadership opportunities, and hands-on experiences. The welcoming environment and supportive community made it the right fit for his journey.
Miguel is an active part of Klesis Christian Fellowship, a space where he's loved growing in his faith and uplifting those around me as they navigate college together. His favorite ways to recharge are playing soccer, taking photos, and watching anime. He likes hobbies that help him stay creative, reflect, and appreciate different stories and perspectives.
The advice he would give to new students is to trust the process; things may not go the way you expect, and that’s okay. Measure your success by your growth and resilience, and remember that every detour is teaching you something valuable.
Prati Mehta, Sophomore (she/her)
Computational Cognitive Science and Applied Statistics (Minor in Tech Management)
San Jose, California
Prati chose to go to Davis because the people here are genuinely kind—it’s easy to make new friends and quickly feel like part of a community. It’s also a place where you can explore new interests and paths without feeling overwhelmed, thanks to the supportive atmosphere. She loves the small-town vibe too; it makes everything feel a bit more personal and connected.
Her advice to new students is to make the most of your time in college! You only get to live this era of your life once, so take advantage of all the opportunities around you and don't forget to have fun!
In her free time, Prati enjoys reading, swimming, and watching rom-coms!
Sydney Yacullo, Sophomore (she/her)
Ambassador Lead
English (Minor in Education)
Auburn, California
Sydney chose Davis because of its small-town feel and incredible location--in close proximity to nature and major cities. She knew that Davis was the right place for me after interacting with the incredible English faculty on Aggie Day. She already felt so welcomed and supported by the department and campus as a whole, causing her to commit on the spot!
Sydney will be an Orientation Leader for the 2025-26 school year, which she is so excited about! In her free time she loves to read, spend time with friends and family, go to the Farmer's Market, and try new food downtown!
Sydney's advice to to new students is to take care of themselves! It is so easy to get wrapped up in the fast-paced nature of the quarter system, often neglecting your needs in the process. Being kind to yourself and practicing self-care will be immensely beneficial for your wellbeing and academics!
Xavier Gonzalez, Junior (he/him)
Computer Science and Cinema and Digital Media
Oakland, California
Xavier chose UC Davis because he wanted to be surrounded by people who are future drivers of change. As part of Special Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP), his introduction to Davis not only fostered a sense of belonging but also revealed the resilience of those who, despite challenges, made it into this esteemed institution. This ignited his desire to facilitate similar experiences for fellow students, helping them discover communities where they feel embraced and empowered.
Xavier's advice to new students is to get involved with a community they value as soon as possible and build a network of reliable peers and mentors. His passion involves developing small video games with Gameheads, a local youth tech training program, to spread important messages through art.
In his leisure time, he enjoy cooking, running, and, a big surprise, playing video games! Xavier encourages people to find an overlap between their hobbies and passions because that is key to identifying their future careers.