Meet our First Gen Student Leaders | first gen

carmec4@uci.edu
Carmen Chen is a fourth-year student studying Business Economics at UCI. During her time here, she has been actively involved in Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed national service fraternity, where she devotes her time to giving back to the campus and the local community. Since her second-year, Carmen has also been passionately involved in Student Housing, serving as a Community Assistant and Resident Advisor to assist and relay resources to students in the undergraduate community. She is a first-generation college student herself and remembers how difficult it is to navigate in such an unfamiliar and fast-paced environment. As an FGFQ mentor, Carmen hopes to provide support, motivation, and guidance to first-generation college students in all aspects of their University life.

kiarahh@uci.edu
Kiarah Hernandez is a third-year undergraduate student studying psychology with a minor in Chicano/Latino studies. She takes pride in being a first-generation college student from Los Angeles. As a Jumpstart alumna, researcher for Bilingualism, Mind, and Brain Lab, UCI PIRE fellow, and cultural chairwoman for Phi Lambda Rho Sorority, Inc., Kiarah is always eager to take risks and seek opportunities for growth. Kiarah hopes to guide her mentees in getting out of their comfort zones and letting their ambitions carry them throughout their individual and unique academic journeys at UCI.

Mateo1@uci.edu
Hi! My name is Elmer Mateo, and I will be one of your FGFQ student leaders! I am a fourth year Psychology and Sociology double major from Highland Park in Los Angeles. As a Latino first generation, low income student who was once in your position, my goal is to help you find community, build confidence, and challenge yourself as you transition into UCI. I am here to facilitate your growth, support you through your journey, and mentor you in any way that I can. My ultimate goal is to help you overcome obstacles so that you can succeed and enjoy your time at UCI! You've made it so far, so let's keep moving forward! Elmer Mateo is a fourth year Psychology and Sociology double major from Highland Park in Los Angeles. As a Latino first generation, low income student who was once in your position, his goal is to help you find community, build confidence, and challenge yourself as you transition into UCI. He is here to facilitate your growth, support you through your journey, and mentor you in any way that he can. Elmer’s ultimate goal is to help you overcome obstacles so that you can succeed and enjoy your time at UCI! You've made it so far, and he’ll help you keep moving forward!

Irenem2@uci.edu
Irene Morales is a fourth-year student who is double majoring in Criminology, Law, and Society and Education Sciences, with a minor in Chicanx/Latinx Studies. As a proud first generation college student, Irene excitedly embraces new experiences and opportunities. With a confident attitude, she has studied abroad in Rome, lobbied to increase state funding for higher education at the California Capitol, participated in a week-long service project at the U.S./Mexico border, worked as an RA for high school students in STEM, taught high school freshmen on globalization and international relations, and encouraged undergraduate peers to study abroad. As a returning FGFQ mentor and previous mentee, she hopes to continue making first-year, first generation students feel welcomed, confident, and excited for their new journey at UCI. She plans to reassure them that they will successfully navigate their transition into higher education and beyond.

FGFQ Mentor
Kevin Si (he/him/his) is a third-year student at UCI. He is a first-generation student double majoring in Education Sciences and Social Policy and Public Service. Throughout his college experience, Kevin has developed a passion in supporting underrepresented students within higher education and values inclusivity, diversity, and equity when working with them. He currently works as a Campus Representative within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and serves as the Education Senator within UCI's student government to represent student voices and concerns in bettering their college experience. As a FGFQ mentor, he hopes to develop a close relationship with mentees to foster growth, confidence, and passion when navigating UCI in order to make their college experience a story worth sharing and looking back on!

vntorres@uci.edu
Vanessa Nicole Torres (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year first-generation student majoring in Chicana/o/x Latina/o/x Studies and double minoring in Latin American Studies and Literary Journalism. She has pursued UROP research inspired by her academic pursuits and experiences as a Latinx who worked as a TRIO Tutor Mentor for Math and Science Upward Bound high school students. As a UROP Honorary Fellow, Vanessa has had the opportunity to present in on campus events, at the 2019 Imagining America National Gathering and at the 2020 Johns Hopkins Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium. As the FGFQ Administrative Assistant, she hopes to help shape and build the community that will further the journey of more first-generation BIPOC students. FGFQ is a place for everyone to grow as academics and take control of their academic trajectory.

eyramon@uci.edu
Emily Ramon is a third-year transfer student here at UCI. She is a first-generation college student majoring in Sociology and minoring in Chicano/Latino studies. Emily is involved in research and hopes to continue doing so in graduate school. Her mentorship position as a discussion leader and her involvement with the Latinx Student Psychological Association has allowed her to work with a wide range of students. As an FGFQ mentor, Emily hopes to pass down the knowledge and resources she has gained through her personal experiences as a mentor, mentee, and student. Finally, she aspires to provide a welcoming and encouraging environment for first-year, first-generation students where they can establish an academic family.