Peer Mentors

TRIO Scholars have the opportunity to have a peer mentor. TRIO Peer Mentors provide one-on-one support, as well as host group meetings, to build community and provide general support. Additionally, they coordinate quarterly socials and community service opportunities. TRIO Peer Mentors act as resources and guides for the scholars!

 

Amy Olide - Peer Mentor

Amy Olide

TRIO Peer Mentor

Hello everyone! My name is Amy Olide (she/her), and I am a 4th year student majoring in Political Science, Sociology, and Chicano/Latino Studies. I am also a TRIO Scholar, who is passionate about helping those who are underserved and underrepresented. As a first-generation, low-income student who is the first to attend a U.C. in her family, I feel the love, support, and motivation my family has given me to get me where I am today. In the future, I envision myself and strive to receive a Master’s in Public Administration at CSULA and work for the City of Los Angeles in the areas of Public Policy and Services.

E-mail: olidea@uci.edu

Darlin Ortega - Peer Mentor

Dayana Ortega

TRIO Peer Mentor

Hello TRIO Scholars! My name is Dayana Ortega and I’m a 4th year. I currently am pursuing a double major in Urban Planning and Sociology. I wanted to go into Urban Planning because community organizing and people power is most important to me. I live by the saying People Over Profit and value individual’s well being. I come from a community in Los Angeles called Florence-Firestone. I’m a low-income first-generation student so if you ever need to talk to me about anything I’m here for yall. All my love and I look forward to working with you all this year. Abrazos <3

E-mail: dayanao@uci.edu

 

Kyla Kowalewski

Kyla Kowalewski

TRIO Peer Mentor

Hi everyone! My name is Kyla Kowalewski (she/her/hers) and I am a fourth year Political Science and Sociology Double Major! As a TRIO student myself, I love the opportunity to give back to a program that helped me through some of college’s more difficult times. I’ve always been passionate about combatting inequality, and being able to do so through TRIO is rewarding in so many ways. I am planning to go to Law School and become an attorney in the future, so if you have any questions regarding Social Sciences of Law School, definitely reach out! 

E-mail: kowalewk@uci.edu

 

Jimena Renteria-Gonzalez - Peer Mentor

Jimena Renteria-Gonzalez 

TRIO Peer Mentor

Hi everyone! My name is Jimena Renteria-Gonzalez (she/her/ella). I am a 3rd year Psychological Science and Spanish double major. Having been a part of TRiO Upward Bound in high school and college, I grew a very close connection to the program since it was able to help my family and I learn about the college process and experience. So I am so excited to work with you all this following year to hopefully be able to make that same impact! Some fun facts about me is that I am actually from the Central Coast (6-7 hours away) so I grew up loving agriculture and I am currently a secretary for MEChA, which is an organization here on campus for Latine/Chicane students.

E-mail: jimenar3@uci.edu

Darlin Lagunes - Peer Mentor

Darlin Lagunes 

TRIO Peer Mentor

Hi! My name is Darlin Lagunes (she/her/hers) and I am a 3rd year Economics major. Some fun facts about me are that I love to bake, I love skincare, in my free time I enjoy taking long walks leading to nowhere, and (although I don’t have one 😢 ) I LOVE cats. I was, and currently still am, a TRIO scholar, so I’ve been able to experience the great benefits that this organization has to offer. As a result, I hope to provide you all with the best support possible and help you on your journey as a student in UCI!

 

E-mail: dglagune@uci.edu

 

Virginia Villalta - Peer Mentor

Virginia Villalta

TRIO Peer Mentor

Hi everyone! My name is Virginia Villalta,(she/her/ella) I’m a 4th-year Public Health Policy major with a minor in Global Health. Like you all, I am also a trio scholar and identify strongly with being first-gen, low income. I am on the non-traditional pre-med track as a non-stem major hoping to go to medical school. I am extremely passionate about social justice, combating medical racism and discrimination and so I hope to pursue a career where I can make a direct positive impact for disadvantaged communities. I studied abroad last spring semester, where I lived in Bologna, Italy for 6 months and was able to travel to 12 different countries!

E-mail: villaltv@uci.edu