UCAN Student Ambassadors 2019-20

UC's Student Ambassador Program is bigger and more effective than ever:

  • 74 ambassadors
  • All undergraduate campuses represented
  • Reflect UC's diversity

UCAN Student Advisors

Chris Chen

Chris Chen ’20

Jonathaon Tsou

Jonathan Tsou ’20

Victoria Solkovits

Victoria Solkovits ’20

Campus Leaders

Zoé Almeida

Zoé Almeida

UC Riverside
Public Policy
zalme001@ucr.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I am an advocate because doing the right thing is no small thing. It takes strong leadership and community solidarity. All of which can be found in this large network made up of future leaders, courageous muckrakers, and pioneering researchers who support UC.

Laura Elizalde

Laura Elizalde

UC Davis
Political Science
lpelizalde@ucdavis.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I am passionate about voicing concerns from students across communities and recognize the importance of fighting for an equitable education system. Being an advocate is a privilege. I choose to advocate for those who cannot.

Brandon Harden

Brandon Harden

UC Berkeley
Political Science, Legal Studies, & Latin
brandonharden@berkeley.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I am an advocate for all those who cannot advocate for themselves. I am fortunate enough to be able to be a part of organizations like UCAN that give a voice to those who are so often excluded from the narrative. Those who benefit the most from the projects we take on - everything from keeping tuition flat to ensuring every student has access to the most basic necessities - are often those who never get to fight for them in the first place, but who need them the most. I want to fight for the things that impact students directly and ensure that we all are able to pursue this incredible education without roadblocks to success.

Iris Hinh

Iris Hinh

UCLA
Political Science
irishinh5@gmail.com

Why I'm an advocate: As a UCAN ambassador I get to learn more about the state legislative process and encourage UC students, alumni, and parents to become involved in shaping state policies. As a UCAN ambassador, I advocated for legislation that would expand summer Cal Grants and provide funding to improve classrooms and infrastructure.

Mandeep Ladhar

Mandeep Ladhar

UC Berkeley
Intended Public Health
mandeepladhar@berkeley.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I advocate because it empowers students to take part in policy making that directly affects our future.

Jennifer Laredo

Jennifer Laredo

UC Davis
Environmental Toxicology
jalaredo@ucdavis.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I became a UCAN ambassador to represent the AB540/Undoc-Aggies to show that we all have a voice regardless of where we stand. In my free time, you will most likely find me getting boba, coffee or perhaps re-watching the Harry Potter films.

Angel Lira

Angel Lira

UC Irvine
Political Science, International Studies
adlira@uci.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I want to increase the power of the student voice, and improve representation of all the diverse communities on each of the UC campuses to make the UC equitable for all. We often forget about certain communities on our campuses, and we need to make sure advocacy opportunities are accessible, especially for underrepresented communities.

Dominick Ly

Dominick Ly

UC San Diego
Political Science, Public Policy
dnly@ucsd.edu

Why I'm an advocate: Many students don't realize they have a say in the UC and government decisions that affect their lives. Students are primary stakeholders and every seemingly miniscule policy change has serious consequences for current and future students. That's why we must get as many students as we can to voice their opinions. It's their education.

Arianna McDonald

Arianna McDonald

UC Santa Barbara
Political Science, Education
ariannamcdonald@ucsb.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I have always been taught it is important to speak out for what you believe in and for those who don't have a voice. Education is a great equalizer across all backgrounds, and I think it is essential that educational progress be made so that it can continue and spread in other areas.

Jason Matthew Miguel

Jason Matthew Miguel

UC Merced
Environmental Engineering
jmiguel6@ucmerced.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I want to ensure that students from all majors are represented in this crucial group. I want to reach out to the normally underrepresented groups in STEM majors when it comes to UC policy and to our legislators who may not know a whole lot about STEM. When people see such a group, like us, that advocates for students and the UC system, people assume you need to be in the Social Sciences or Humanities, but by me being here it shows that STEM students can also be advocates. Each respective campus is like a 3-legged stool, we have the faculty, staff and students acting as the legs. Forgetting about one of those groups causes that stool to be imbalanced. I’m an advocate to make sure that stool is balanced.

Patty Mondragon

Patty Mondragon

UC Merced
Political Science, Writing
pmondragon@ucmerced.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I am an advocate because I would like for my young campus to be recognized for its representation of over 73% first-generation students. I am passionate about allowing students’ voices to be heard and listened to. I would like to empower students coming from similar backgrounds to mine to pursue higher education, despite the many barriers. I am hoping that through advocacy, the University of California can continue growing the support necessary to create an inclusive system for all students from various walks of life.

Iveth Lopez Obeso

Iveth Lopez Obeso

UCLA
Chicana/o/x Studies
lopeziveth97@g.ucla.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I believe that all students have the right to higher education, and as a community we can all work together to help all individuals learn, explore, achieve, and transform.

Alexandra Olvera

Alexandra Olvera

UC Davis
Political Science, Chicano Studies
adolvera@ucdavis.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I am an advocate because I know that there has to be representation for students and minorities, to defend our rights and allow education to be more equitable, accessible, and sustainable for students. To have the privilege of empowering the voices of students not just on my campus, but the University of California in general. With the hope that one day, there will be no barriers to keep students from achieving their goals and dreams in their educational careers.

Masha Pescheryakova

Masha Pescheryakova

UC Santa Barbara
Economics and Accounting
pescheryakova@ucsb.edu

Why I'm an advocate: There is no greater power in the universe than speaking up for what you know you deserve. I am an advocate because I love engaging and informing students, faculty, parents, and alumni about current legislative issues. Last year as a UCSB UCAN ambassador, I had the opportunity to go to Sacramento to lobby for increased financial aid for students, including summer Cal Grants. I wasn’t sure if my voice mattered, but when I found out that the Summer Cal Grants passed through committee, I felt part of the movement and community that was leading and improving the UC system. I am an advocate because even one voice can lead a movement. Every student deserves a voice and an opportunity to speak up and be heard.

Samuel Roberts

Samuel Roberts

UC Riverside
Public Policy
srobe006@ucr.edu

Why I'm an advocate: I am a UCAN advocate because the UC system is foundational to California’s education system. I am proud to be a UCAN advocate because raising awareness for the UC system not only increases student involvement, but also creates a fulfilling environment for current and future UC students.

Joshua Tran

Joshua Tran

UC Berkeley
Molecular and Cell Biology: Neurobiology
joshuatran@berkeley.edu

Why I'm an advocate:I believe that every student deserves to have their voice heard. UC empowers hundreds of thousands of students and has created a strong foundation for millions of alumni around the world. I want to help empower students to have a say in policy making, budget requests, and fundamental reforms so that the UC can continue to be a foundation for success. Every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, and every student deserves to have their voice heard.

UC Office of the President State Governmental Relations Team

  • Meredith Turner, Associate Director, Advocacy & Institutional Relations
  • Jennifer Brice, Advocacy & Communications Manager

UC Office of the President Federal Governmental Relations

  • Nicole Carlotto, Director of Communcations & Advocacy