Former Peer Mentor Cohorts
Cohort 2023-2024
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.