CLA Underrepresented Students Network
MISSION
To assist underrepresented students in having an equitable educational experience as a part of the Cal Poly campus.
ABOUT CLA USN
The College of Liberal Arts Underrepresented Students Network (CLA 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!
Get the Latest CLA USN News
MEET THE CLA USN Mentors
Mason Ambrosio
Pronouns: He/Him/His
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.
Citlaly Andrade
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Psychology with a minor in child development
Hobbies: I love listening to music of any genre, reading, playing volleyball, hiking and exploring new places with my friends. I also enjoy going on long walks or running.
Fun Facts: I am Mexican American and the first generation to attend university! Another fun fact is that my name means star in Aztec.
Yesenia Beltran
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Graphic communication
Hobbies: Drawing digitally on my iPad, experimenting with makeup and fashion, going thrifting at the Goodwill bins, listening to news podcasts, taking different aerobics classes at the Rec Center, and exploring different areas of SLO.
Fun Facts: When I was 10 and 11, I got to be in this cool local Mexican theater play called Macario based on the 1950 book of the same name by Bruno Traven.
Mason Boerger
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Major: Communication studies with a minor in sales
Hobbies: Sports of all kinds, weightlifting, playing guitar, and music analysis.
Fun Facts: I am African American and White, first-generation college student, work full-time, and genuinely enjoy optimizing class schedules.
Alexandra Castro
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Graphic communication with a minor in gender, race, culture, science and technology
Hobbies: Listening to music. I also love crafting, jewelry making and collaging.
Fun Facts: I have been vegetarian for five years.
Bili Chavez
Pronouns: They/Them/él
Major: English with a double minor in Spanish and MAST .
Hobbies: I like writing, listening to music, hanging out with friends, and watching my favorite comfort shows over and over again.
Fun Facts: My favorite seasons of the year are fall and winter even though I was born in the spring.
Juliana Catalan
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: History
Hobbies: Running and reading!
Fun Facts: I met the author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Jeff Kinney) in fourth grade!
Lupita Echevarria
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Interdisciplinary studies with a minor in child development
Hobbies: Coloring and the gym.
Fun Facts: I am currently a preschool teacher.
Jackeline Figueroa Estrada
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Major: Sociology with a concentration in social services and a minor in Spanish
Hobbies: I love going to concerts, baking, binge watching my favorite shows, going out with friends, watching the sunset and stargazing!
Fun Facts: I once adopted a baby crocodile when I went to Mexico with my family and named him Blue!
Jasmine Lee
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Graphic communication
Hobbies: I like to bake, swim, read, write and find new things to do with my friends.
Fun Fact: I am from and have lived my whole life in the 626 area.
Ana Leon
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Major: Psychology
Hobbies: Going to the beach, walking my dogs and going for a drive with friends.
Fun Facts: I was born on Friday the 13th, I am cross-dominant, and I am First Gen!
Juliette Medina
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Sociology with a concentration in social services
Hobbies: I enjoy hiking, going to the beach and listening to true crime podcasts.
Fun Facts: My favorite season of the year is fall!
Araceli Jeannette Mendoza
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Interdisciplinary studies with minors in Spanish and sociology
Hobbies: Binge watching shows, listening to music, playing video games with my niece, sleeping and collecting the world's smallest items.
Fun Facts: Three of my sisters are teachers. Growing up I wanted to work at Target and not go to college.
Deanna Nguyen
Pronouns: Any
Major: Art and design with a concentration in graphic design and double minor in computing for the interactive arts and ethnic studies
Hobbies: I enjoy dancing, experimenting with makeup, collecting trinkets and making Spotify playlists that are way too long.
Fun Facts: I dance with K2 and UM here at Cal Poly and I dye my own hair!
Andrea Ayala Pacheco
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Journalism with a minor in ethnic studies
Hobbies: I enjoy reading, playing video games and hanging out with friends on my free time.
Fun Facts: I don't know how to ride a bike!
Guadalupe Perez
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Psychology with a minor in child development
Hobbies: I love watching shows with my roommates, going on walks, baking and watching sunsets.
Fun Facts: I have a kitty named Matilda and she wears a red collar.
Jessica Rodriguez
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Child development with a minor in studio art
Hobbies: I enjoy drawing, painting, thrifting, listening to music and reading books.
Fun Facts: I am a Mexican American and first generation to attend a university!
Kendall Ruggles
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Psychology with a minor in communication studies
Hobbies: I love painting, writing poetry, going on runs while listening to podcasts, exploring new breakfast spots, beach days, volunteering, and spending time with people I love!
Fun Facts: I switched my major in my second quarter at Cal Poly, I am a first-generation college student and I am obsessed with SZA.
Ells McCone Jackson Taylor
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Political science
Hobbies: Being an audiophile, longboarding, gaming and reading.
Fun Facts: My music library has over 1,000 albums and would take 1 month to listen to in its entirety without stopping.
Julianna Valencia
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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!
Debora Vitaliano
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Psychology with a double minor in ethnic studies and child development
Hobbies: I love camping, hiking, swimming, biking and reading. I also love to spend time with my family and friends.
Fun Facts: I am Brazilian, and ever since I was 5 years old, my life goal has been to have a house with a big garden from which I can get almost, if not all, the food me and my family consume, along with a big library.
Sunny Wakeman
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Communication studies
Hobbies: I love going to the beach, rock climbing, finding new places to eat and listening to all kinds of music!
Fun Facts: I want to travel around the world and someday live in a different country when I'm older.