I am Saud Alomair, a PhD student in the department of Environmental Health Sciences. I am an international student and my background is in Health. I did my bachelors in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) at KSU and did my Masters of Public Health (MPH) here at UCLA.
On some personal notes I love all forms of art, basically any form of expression. I enjoy music from different parts of the world and feel that music is a language that can touch us more than words. I love being active and enjoy different sports such as tennis and soccer. I live my life by what I call the rule of three Es. Experience, experiment and explore.

Salam y’all, my name is Manal Atty, and I’m a second-year master’s student in Applied Chemical Sciences at UCLA.  I completed my BA in Liberal Arts with a concentration in life sciences, which gives me a non-traditional perspective on transitioning from social sciences to a STEM major.  This shift was both challenging and rewarding and it has given me a unique perspective on the anxieties and uncertainties that come with changing majors and forging a career path.  I understand the importance of having someone to guide you through these decisions, which is why I’m thrilled to serve as your College Academic Mentor (CAM).  I’m here to help you navigate your academic path, whether you’re considering a major change or seeking guidance on how to succeed in the sciences.

I’ve had the opportunity to intern in both biotech and pharmaceutical industries, so I can offer insights into career planning and finding the right lab for graduate school.  Additionally, as an international student, I’m well-versed in navigating CPT/OPT processes and can support you in making the most of your time at UCLA.

A bit about me: I grew up in the beautiful coastal Moroccan city of Casablanca until I was 18, before moving to SoCal for undergrad.  I’m also a proud aunt to three human nephews and a puppy one—who might just be my favorite 😉 I thrive on a good balance between academic work and my hobbies, which include reading, writing, pilates, biking, cooking, cafe-hopping, and binging K-dramas (I’m always on the lookout for recommendations).

I know that college can be a challenging and sometimes overwhelming experience, but remember that you’re not alone.  We’re all here to help you navigate the twists and turns of your academic journey, and I’m excited to be a part of your UCLA story.  Let’s make this year a successful and fulfilling one together so that you thrive and make the most of your UCLA experience!

Hi there!  My name is Catherine Choe, and I am a Ph.D. student in Higher Education and Organizational Change at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies.  Prior to coming to UCLA, I received an M.Ed. in Educational Counseling from USC and B.A.s in English and Art History from UC Berkeley.  I have worked at 2- and 4-year institutions in a variety of areas, including first year experience, disability services, career centers, writing centers, residential life, probation, and admissions.  Through these experiences, I realized how much I enjoy working with students and empowering them to find creative ways to integrate their passions, goals, and interests into their academic journey.

My research interests include faculty development and issues, community colleges, and quantitative methods.   I learn from and cherish each student encounter I have, so please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time.   I look forward to getting to know you this year!

Hello!  My name is Geena Conde (she/her/ella), and I am a medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, currently enrolled in the 5-year dual degree PRIME-LA program.  This year, I am pursuing a Master’s of Science in Clinical Research with a focus on inflammatory skin diseases and skin cancer.  Born and raised in East Los Angeles by Mexican immigrant parents, I earned my B.S. in Psychobiology at UCLA.  During my undergraduate years, I was involved in the Mobile Clinic Project/Companion Care at UCLA, SWC CPR & First Aid, learning assistant program, and trauma surgery research.  I hope to pursue medicine as an advocate for equitable healthcare access in underserved communities.  In my free time, I love trying new coffee shops with my roommates, paddleboarding, watching scary movies, and finding the best breakfast burrito.  I am so excited to connect and support you in any I can 🙂

“Hi! My name is Zayala, and I’m looking forward to meeting with you. I am a first year graduate student pursuing a dual degree in Public Policy and Social Welfare. Within the field of public policy, I’m interested in education and civil rights reform. I chose UCLA’s MSW program to pursue my PPS credential which provides the certification to work in a high school setting as a counselor or school social worker. I am passionate about supporting students of color as they navigate education by exposing them to the hidden curriculum of academia. I recently completed a fellowship with UCLA’s Destination College Advising Corps in May, where I helped students at Hamilton High School with postsecondary advising, and being competitive college applicants.

I’m from Pasadena, CA. Fun Fact: I’m a second generation Bruin, and my parents met at UCLA. I graduated from UCLA in 2021, and I double majored in African American Studies and Political Science with a minor in Education. During my undergrad, I served as a peer counselor and Mentorship Coordinator for the Academic Supports Program, a retention project for Black students. I took a holistic, student-centered approach to meeting with my student to address academics and any extenuating barriers/factors. I’m extremely organized, so I enjoy helping with class planning, time/stress management, but am ready to help with whatever you need!

I love traveling, going to concerts and sporting events. I’m a Sagittarius rising, so I love being busy & involved with my friends and family. I’m excited for the opportunity to work with undergrad Bruins again, 4’s up!”

Hi ya’ll! My name is Kayla Flores and I am pursuing my MSW in Social Welfare. I earned a B.A. in Sociology/Law and Society and a Minor in Education at UC Riverside. Throughout my undergraduate years, I served as a Youth Development Specialist, Kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant, Kids Ministry Leader, College Mentor, and IT Asset Management Assistant. Working with diverse classes of elementary school students has driven my passion for becoming a therapist for marginalized youth and working towards eventually founding a nonprofit organization to increase psychotherapy in schools. I am currently interning at St. Joseph’s Center with the home-insecure population in LA County, where I serve clients who are overcoming mental and medical barriers, substance abuse, and domestic violence. I believe that every individual can succeed regardless of their disadvantages, and I am eager to help others realize their true potential.

I enjoy traveling, trying new foods, watching movies, and hanging out with friends in my free time. My favorite place that I’ve traveled to so far was Costa Rica because I went bungee jumping there and it was such a surreal experience! I am also working towards being an Elite Yelper because I’m a huge foodie! A couple other fun facts; I’m 5’10”, I listen to a lot of 90s-2000s R&B and Hip Hop (Ashanti, Kiesha Cole, SWV, Boys to Men), I’m Nicaraguan and Thai, I like playing games (Tetris, Super Mario, Scrabble, Need for Speed, COD), I’ve been a member of over 10 sports teams, and I played the flute for 9 years.

Even though I have a high level of expertise in social work and education, I’m constantly learning new information and acquiring new skills. There will never be a time in life when you have learned enough, thus I value maintaining humility and an open mind. Everything has a solution, that’s my guiding principle in life! I’m here to be your mentor, friend, and supporter. I will do my best to guide you and comfort you to the best of my ability.

Hello! My name is Iris Guzman-Ruiz (pronouns she/her/hers), and I am a Ph.D. graduate student in Community Health Sciences at the UCLA Feilding School of Public Health. I am the daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college student. I am also a double Bruin. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master’s in Public Health from UCLA. I am working on my dissertation, which examines experiences of discrimination among Asian and Latino immigrants and how these experiences affect their health and access to health care. I enjoy being a mom to my one-year-old son, spending time with family, and resting/sleeping (when I can)!

I look forward to meeting you, and I’m excited to help you embark on your academic journey and to help you plan your life after college!

Hello, my name is Xiong Her (he/him), and I’m a third-year Ph.D. student in the Higher Education and Organizational Change (HEOC) Program in the School of Education and Information Studies. My current research interests focus on increasing access and support for low-income and/or first-generation students, affirmative action policy, and diversity issues in U.S. higher education. I earned my M.S. Ed. in International Educational Development from University of Pennsylvania and BA in International Affairs and Political Science from Marquette University. In my spare time, I enjoy biking, playing sports (soccer, badminton, volleyball, pickleball, etc.), hiking, and cooking Hmong food. I look forward to working and supporting you in any way I can.

Hello everyone, I’m Monica and I am currently a fourth-year medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. I’m in the 5-year dual degree PRIME-LA program and currently in my 1 year master’s program at the Fielding School of Public Health, pursuing an MPH in Health Policy and Management. My passion lies in working towards better health equity and justice for underserved communities, primarily through leadership, advocacy, and policy efforts.

As the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, I understand firsthand the many challenges that many first-generation, low-income pre-health students face in their higher education journey. My goal is to collaborate with you to help identify your passions and explore how they can be integrated into a career path where you can thrive. I’m honored to serve as a CAM here at UCLA, where I am dedicated to providing support throughout your journey, along with my two adorable pugs. In tough times, remember that we have been there, and we’re all here to support you, AND things will be okay! (:

Heyyy Bruins!  I’m Alejandra Lopez Macha, a first-generation Latina and third-year medical student at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine in the PRIME-LA program and currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health and management at UCLA.

I am originally from the Bay Area.  Specifically, I grew up in San Francisco and Oakland.  I graduated from San Francisco State University with a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Minor in Chemistry.  In college, I was very involved on campus as a Peer Health Educator, Calculus tutor, Organic Chemistry student instructor, and did research too!  I know a few things about summer research programs as a result.  Following undergrad, I took a few enrichment years where I spent time working as a Pre-med advisor for the Metro College success program, conducted research at SFSU and UCSF, had the honor of joining the Blue Marble Space Scholar program at NASA, and gained clinical experience as a medical scribe at the SF county hospital and a small community clinic.

At UCLA, I’m involved in clubs focused on healthcare access and diversifying medicine.  As a student advisor, I’m excited to help others navigate their journeys, sharing the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

In my free time, I enjoy life in LA eating yummy food with my cat Noodles and med school besties.

Hi! My name is Leane (she/her), and I am a proud (almost) triple Bruin! This year, I am completing my MPH in Health Policy at the Fielding School of Public Health. I am also an MD student at the David Geffen School of Medicine in a dual-degree program, PRIME-LA. I plan to use my combined degrees to advocate for policies which advance health equity for entire communities, addressing issues such as access to care and reproductive justice.

I am a Los Angeles native who completed a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Public Health at UCLA. After graduating, I spent a few years working as a healthcare consultant in the Bay Area before returning to UCLA for medical school.

On the weekends, you’ll find me trying new restaurants, taking long walks with my dog, and spending time with friends and family. I love hikes, baking, Netflix reality shows, and picnics on the beach. I know UCLA is a huge school, but you are not alone! I look forward to supporting your journey.

When I say Go Bruins for life, I really mean it! I am Clara (she/her), daughter of Vietnamese refugees from Orange County, CA, MD/MPH candidate at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) and Fielding School of Public Health, and soon-to-be quadruple Bruin. While an undergrad, I earned 2 degrees in Human Biology & Society and Asian American Studies. I wrote my Honors Thesis on intergenerational relationships and trauma within the Vietnamese American community then worked full-time as a researcher studying ways to improve outcomes for patients with schizophrenia.

As a member of the PRIME-LA cohort at DGSOM, I strive to learn tangible skills in preparation for serving underresourced populations as a physician. During my MPH, I hope to research the intersection of reproductive justice, primary care, and mental health. My upbringing, community work, and research interests led me to my goal to increase to affordable, culturally-conscious, patient-centered mental health care.

When I am not studying, you can find me trying new restaurants or coffee shops around LA as Yelp Elite or crafting gifts for loved ones at the Makerspace on the Hill.

As much as I have loved being at UCLA for so long, I know being here comes with its challenges. I am beyond pumped to help you thrive as a whole human, from your pre-health and pre-med needs to navigating student life. Until then, remember that you belong here, and you are not alone.

Hi, I’m Amayrani!  My pronouns are she/her.  I’m a Master of Public Policy student at UCLA Luskin and the first in my family to attend graduate school, a result of their constant encouragement and many sacrifices.  Before becoming a CAM, I held various roles that have intersected immigrant rights within the legal, policy, and higher education fields.

There has been a fair share of bumps, roadblocks, and detours on the way here, especially as a low-income Mexican immigrant.  However, with the help and genuine care from mentors/advisors, I eventually transferred from Mt. San Antonio College to UC Irvine, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a global/international focus.  Similarly, when we meet, I aim to create an environment where you can comfortably express your needs or concerns and feel supported in your journey at UCLA and beyond. 🙂

During my downtime, I enjoy walking and weight training (a relatively new thing) and kicking off my day by listening to a good podcast.  I also love spending time near bodies of water – it’s my go-to mental pick-me-up!

Hello students! My name is Marah and I am a first year Master of Social Welfare program. I am a proud UC Davis graduate (Go Aggies!) where I earned my BA in Philosophy (Pre Law emphasis) with a minor in Latin. My happiest moments as an undergraduate were working as an Orientation Leader and Peer Advisor for Psychology, Philosophy, and Cognitive Science majors. I loved connecting with fellow students and using my training to support them in their college journey, so I am excited I have the opportunity to do this again as a CAM. After graduating, I continued my passion for higher education by working for a local TRiO Upward Bound chapter. In this program I got to mentor, tutor, and design programming to help first generation students. Thus, the first generation student population will always have a special place in my heart. Besides Upward Bound, I also taught at a learning center helping K-12 students boost their reading, writing, and math skills. My jobs exposed me to some of the systemic inequalities in K-12/higher education and the impacts of COVID-19 on student learning and mental health. After earning my MSW, I plan to pursue school social work and perhaps also become a therapist with an emphasis on serving Muslim women. About me: I am a cat mom to an 8 year old Ragdoll/Siamese. I was born and raised in Sacramento. I spend my free time napping, binging Youtube videos, and jamming out to Arabic/French pop music (always seeking new song recommendations). Finally, I have a massive sweet tooth and am always open to trying new desserts!

I understand that college can be a stressful and scary experience, but always remember that you have an army of staff and campus resources to cheer you on! I’m excited to work with you this year.

Hi there! My name is Kathy Silva (she/her) and I am a first year graduate student at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health pursuing a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Community Health Sciences. I am the first person in my family to attend college and received my Bachelor’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies from Wellesley College. After being in the workforce for seven years (with many twists and turns in between), I am excited to explore my passions while staying open to discovering new ones on this new adventure.

Moving to attend college across the country as a teenager was probably one of the biggest risks I have taken, and I faced a variety of challenges, including: being on academic probation, changing from a premed path to a humanities major, and imposter syndrome. Upon graduating, I still struggled to build a network and navigate the workforce. In both instances, what helped me move forward was asking for help and utilizing my campus’ resources. They exist for students to use them and we, especially first-gen students, should not be shy about accessing them! It is a powerful thing to advocate for yourself.

Transitions can be scary, but they do not have to be faced alone. I look forward to working with you as you embark on your own journey!

Fun facts: I proudly claim the Northeast San Fernando Valley as home, my family is Guatemalan and Salvadoran, I am the oldest of four, and we are very much obsessed with our mini poodle. In my free time, I enjoy exploring coffee shops, watching TikToks, and marveling over Architectural Digest-esque homes and historical buildings in LA.

Greetings!  My name is Dr. Breauna Marie Spencer, and I am super excited to serve as a College Academic Mentor for the 2024-2025 academic school year at UCLA.  Currently, I am a first-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Social Welfare degree at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.  I am a five-time alumna of UC Irvine, earning two Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology (with Honors) and Education Sciences, two Master’s degrees in Sociology and Demographic and Social Analysis, and a Ph.D. in Sociology.  Most recently, I served as the Inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Computer Science Department and as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University.  Before this, I was a Research Fellow at Google, WestEd, and the National GEM Consortium, as well as a Lecturer at Loyola Marymount University and American Baptist College, respectively.

My award-winning research and advocacy are committed to examining and improving undergraduate and graduate students’ mental health, well-being, and coping strategies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree programs.  My research has been published in numerous outlets, including the Journal of Women and Minorities in Science & Engineering, the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, the Sociological Forum, the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, and the Social Science Journal.

As a former undergraduate student at UC Irvine, I understand firsthand the difficulties of transitioning into and navigating college each academic year.  I want you to know that you are not alone in this process, and there are numerous faculty, staff, and students on campus here to support you in your academic endeavors.  As such, I am here to help you in any capacity you need and to ensure your ultimate success.  Whether you need support identifying specific courses to enroll in, need assistance with time management and organizational skills, or have questions about applying to graduate school, I’ve got your back!  Advising undergraduate students brings me a ton of great joy and happiness.  As such, feel free to schedule a meeting with me.  Outside of working as a College Academic Mentor and pursuing graduate studies, I enjoy playing basketball, running long-distance, hiking, traveling, reading, shopping, dining out, cooking, going to concerts and the beach, hanging out with my family and friends, and simply relaxing.  I look forward to meeting with you!

Hello!  My name is Julia (pronouns she/her/hers), I am a second-year doctoral student in the department of Education (Social Sciences Comparative Education) with an academic background in sociology with a minor in Cultural Studies and French (undergraduate) and socio-economics (graduate) as well as theater, film, and media studies (diploma, equivalent to Master of Arts).  I studied at universities in Vienna, Austria and Paris, France.  Before starting this Ph.D. program, I worked at Deloitte Advisory Social Innovation and Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalization, educational planning and guidance being core aspects of both jobs.
As a first-gen student, I know how challenging it can be to navigate the first steps in a new environment, especially at a prestigious research institution like UCLA – let’s do this together, I am here for you!  As a nontraditional student, returning to academia after 10 years, I have experienced that personal trajectories and stories bring unique perspectives and require approaches that see you as a whole person, acknowledging what you bring with you and where you are at holistically – I am looking forward to connecting with you and to support you in your UCLA journey and beyond!
My research interests revolve around nontraditional students and lifelong learning, Writing Pedagogy as well as educational policy.  For fun, I love spending time with friends, being by the ocean and exploring L.A.

Hi! I am Theresa Willmott-McMahon (she/her), a first-year Master of Public Policy student at the Luskin School of Public Affairs. I am originally from Alexandria, Virginia, right outside Washington, D.C.  I completed my undergraduate studies at Bates College in Maine, where I double majored in Political Science and Rhetoric and played on the women’s lacrosse team.  Following graduation from Bates in 2021, I lived in New York City and worked in healthcare public relations.

In my free time, I enjoy going to concerts, trying new restaurants and recipes, and often run as a way to de-stress.  A couple of fun facts about me: I am a twin, I was on the grounds crew for the Washington Nationals baseball team and I completed a 1,000-mile bike trip in 2019 to raise money for affordable housing.

I look forward to meeting you and supporting you through your journey at UCLA!