Meet the Team!

Our STaR Peer Leaders are a diverse and committed group of students who previously participated in the STaR Program during their first year at UC Davis. Drawing from their own experiences, they support incoming first-year, first-generation students by offering guidance, encouragement, and a friendly face on campus. Peer Leaders play a vital role in creating a welcoming and inclusive space where students feel a sense of belonging and know they have someone they can turn to for advice, support, and community throughout their transition to college.

 

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Lam Kei Yu

Major: Communication

Hi everyone! I'm currently a 2nd year Communication major. I love being a peer mentor because helping others and connecting with people is my passion :) Once I graduate, I hope to find a job where I could work with people like Marketing or Human Resources.

Hobbies: I love going to the ARC and going on walks at the Arboretum while listening to music.

 

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Emiliano Rosales

Major: Sociology | Minor: Chicano(a) Studies

Hi everyone, I'm currently a 3rd year student and I have plans to work in higher education in a position such as an academic advisor! Being a Peer Mentor for STaR now for five quarters has taught me not to underestimate the importance of talking and getting to know others! A special interest of mine is Sports Psychology and how to connect these concepts into spaces of education to better serve and support students! 

Hobbies: Playing volleyball and pickleball, videography, and listening to Latin music! 

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Karen Garcia

Double Major: Psychology and Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior (NPB)

Hi everyone, I'm a 3rd year student and I'm passionate about making higher education inclusive, which is my main reason for being a STaR Peer Mentor and supporting this program. My goal after graduating college is to go to graduate school in order to become a psychiatrist or a counseling psychologist. 

Hobbies: Being active, exploring new places, watching movies, and doing anything that challenges me. 

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Carlos A Obando Jr

Major: Design

Hey all! My name is Carlos and I am a 2nd-year Design Major! I love playing video games, basketball, and really almost all sports! If you see me around campus, feel free to ask to play a game of Speed; I always have a deck of cards with me! My goal is to go to grad school after my undergrad and later get a job in Design, be it graphics, story-environmental, or something more STEM-related. Being in STaR in my first year positively changed my starting trajectory, and I wanted to give back to the program that helped me so much, so I could help other students!

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Zenina (Apple) Adao

Major: Neurology, Physiology, and Behavior

Hello, everyone! My name is Zenina but feel free to call me Apple. I am a Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior (NPB) major, but am interested in changing my major and/or double majoring. I am from Los Angeles, California but I grew up in the Philippines. I love connecting with the people around me and getting to know new people. My (hypothetical) door is always open, so feel free to talk to me anytime.

Hobbies: In my free time, I love cooking, reading, sleeping, and writing poetry! 

 

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Caleb Swaby-Pierce

Major: Economics

Hi! My name is Caleb Swaby-Pierce, I'm a second-year Economics major from Santa Rosa, California pursuing a career in law, and a STaR Peer Mentor this year! Outside of STaR, I am also the ASUCD External Affairs Commission Vice Chairperson, Human-Kind Movement Co-Founder and Vice President, and Phi Alpha Delta Pending Member Leader. Outside of school-related activities, I love listening to music, hanging out with friends, and playing basketball!

 

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Julie Oy

Major: Psychology

Hello, my name is Julie Oy, I'm a third year Psychology major. My passions and interests include working with children, learning, traveling, and personal development. I aspire to be a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist!

 

 

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Marlon Pineda

Major: Economics

My name is Marlon Pineda, I am a 2nd year Economics major from San Francisco. I am extremely passionate about working with students and helping my community. I am excited to meet new students of the STaR Program and be of assistance in any way I can. 

 

 

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Sarah Pearce

Major: Psychology

My name is Sarah Pearce and I am a second year Psychology Major planning to double major in Human Development. My goal in the future is to work with kids hopefully doing clinical therapy and possibly even going to medical school for psychiatry down the road. Being a peer mentor is one of my greatest joys on campus, but specifically because the STaR program means so much to me. It is the sole reason that I am still here at UC Davis and am as successful as I am.

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David Fong

Major: Communications

I am a second year student, Communications major, writer and editor. I also love writing, swimming, and reading. The people of STAR are some of the most welcoming and supportive people I have met on campus. We are devoted to helping students in their academic and future lives.