Underrepresented Students Network (USN)
Mission: To assist underrepresented students in having an equitable educational experience as a part of the Cal Poly campus.
The College of Liberal Arts USN is a peer mentoring program for underrepresented students in our college. Mentors can meet informally with mentees to provide support and resources on Cal Poly’s campus. USN is not a counseling service, but a place to talk with peers who can identify with the experiences of other underrepresented students. Please see the list of mentors below, and click the button to sign up to be matched.
USN is open and available to all who are interested to apply and/or participate, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
MEET THE CLA USN Mentors
Giovanni Albarez
Major:
Political Science
Hobbies:
Playing guitar and working out
Fun Facts:
I am a resident advisor for PCV
Arabela Damarillo
Major:
English
Hobbies:
I love to sing––especially jazz and musical theatre songs! I also enjoy cooking, baking and finding new and easy recipes to use throughout my week as a full-time student
Fun Facts
I am the godmother (or “ninang,” in Tagalog) to two wonderful boys!
Gabriel Garcia
Major:
Child Development major, with interests in psychology and community engagement
Hobbies:
Drawing, reading comics, exploring new parks with my daughter
Fun Facts:
I am a student with a dependent, and a transfer student from the Central Coast!
Isela Lagunas
Major:
Sociology
Hobbies:
I enjoy going on walks with my dog, listening to music, and visiting Disneyland.
Fun Facts:
I’m a first-generation Mexican American and a proud transfer student
Leyna Mai
Major:
Psychology with an Entrepreneurship minor
Hobbies:
Playing guitar, surfing, finding new music, and cooking with my friends
Fun Facts:
I have an orange cat named Hotdog!
Kaysie Ruvalcaba
Major:
Journalism and Graphic Communications with a Spanish minor
Hobbies:
I love going to the beach, watching the sunset, painting, crocheting, going to the gym, and eating or cooking good food with friends.
Fun Facts:
I am first gen, I share a birthday with Stan Lee, and I was a mentee last year, which inspired me to become a mentor this year!
Mason Ambrosio
Major:
Journalism with a concentration in public relations and minors in political science, media arts, society, and technology (MAST), and global politics
Hobbies:
Photography, rock climbing, surfing, soccer, DnD, board games, and amateur astronomy
Fun Facts:
I visited 10 countries last summer and have 16 aunts and uncles.!
Julianna Valencia
Major:
Theatre arts with a minor in philosophy
Hobbies:
I love reading and listening to music! My roommate and I love crafting together and doing puzzles. I also love to spend time outside and go on walks or spend time with my family exploring!
Fun Facts:
I'm Mexican and Puerto Rican, and a first-generation college student. I've met Hozier! I've also been to five countries!
Mandy Chen
Major:
Psychology
Hobbies:
I love reading, going to cafes, spending time with family and friends, watching movies/tv shows, journaling, puzzles, running, shopping, and going on walks with friends!
Fun Facts:
I have 2 turtles!
Angie Isaura Correa
Major:
Sociology
Hobbies:
I love going on long walks, exploring downtown, listening to music, and cooking!
Fun Facts:
I have been to 9 concerts!
Bryanna Franco
Major:
Political Science, with minors in Spanish and Law & Society
Hobbies:
Trying new cafes around SLO, reading, and binge-watching shows with my roommates.
Fun Facts:
I love F1!
Annie Garcia
Major:
Political Science with a concentration in Global politics and Minors in Law & Society and Sociology
Hobbies:
Arts and crafts, reading books, and binge-watching TV shows/movies!
Fun Facts:
I am a student assistant at the Gender Equity and Healthy Masculinity Center.
Jessica Garcia-Hernandez
Major:
Theater Arts Major
Hobbies:
I love to listen to audiobooks, paint, and listen to history podcasts.
Fun Facts:
I know how to make Wedding cakes
Major:
Political Science with a minor in Spanish
Hobbies:
Going to concerts, building Legos, trying new coffee shops.
Fun Facts:
I've been to so many concerts, including Taylor Swift, Karol G, and Coldplay.
Rogelio Raya
Major:
Political Science
Hobbies:
I enjoy a lot of time going outside and running or finding a scenic place on nature. I also enjoy playing the violin.
Fun Facts:
I have met Dolores Huerta, and I have a bunny named Benito
Luis Villeda
Major:
Psychology
Hobbies:
I love listening to music and recently started to get into record collecting! I also love sports and I am a season ticket holder for the LA Galaxy.
Fun Facts:
I've seen FC Barcelona live at Spotify Camp Nou!