CASP Peer Leaders

The CPLs work with a caseload of 8-10 CASP students providing peer mentorship, support, and counseling related to academic, personal, and sociocultural issues affecting their college transition. The role of the CPLs is to foster a welcoming, safe, and inclusive community among entering students and to encourage student development and identity awareness through one-on-one meetings and quarterly group events. Any questions about our CPLs, or if you’re interested in applying to be a CPL in the future, please contact us at casp@ucsd.edu.

Xena Zamora, Class of 2025

Hometown: San Fernando Valley

Highschool/Community College: Los Angeles Pierce College

Seventh College, International Business

Favorite Spot on Campus: Design & Innovation Building

On my bucket list: Travel to Japan/ Hawaii/ Greece/ El Salvador, go ziplining, creating/owning a business

Advice to new students: If you want something, don't wait. Seize the day and do what you need to accomplish your goals. Don't let your potential go to waste because you don't feel ready enough.
Daiana Sandoval, Class of 2025

Hometown: Chula Vista, CA

High School: Castle Park High School

Eleanor Roosevelt College, Clinical Psychology

Favorite Spot on Campus: 5th floor terrace Arts and Humanities in Sixth college

On my bucket list: Visit all Disneylands, Backpack through Mexico, Bungee Jump

Advice to new students: Enjoy the small things, often times we dwell so much and forget the little victories. Enjoying the little things will avoid you burning out to fast
Jonathan Ty, Class of 2027

Hometown: National City, CA

High School: Sweetwater High School

Seventh College, Computer Science

Favorite Spot on Campus: Design and Innovation Building, Wong Avery Library, and Geisel 8th Floor

On my bucket list: Go on a hiking trip through a National Park!

Advice to new students: I cannot emphasize enough the importance of self-care and time management. College can be really overwhelming, especially when balancing coursework, extracurricular activities, and personal life. Find strategies that work for you, whether setting aside time for relaxation, exercising, or having a study routine.
Janry Custodio, Class of 2025

Hometown: San Diego, CA

High School: Morse High School

Earl Warren College, Clinical Psychology

Favorite Spot on Campus: Outdoor seating by the Warren Bear

On my bucket list: Travel solo

Advice to new students: Take advantage of all the resources available to you and don't be afraid to ask questions when you feel lost or overwhelmed.
Jannah Binno, Class of 2025

Hometown: San Diego, CA

High School: San Diego City Community College

Thurgood Marshall College, English in Literatures

Favorite Spot on Campus: Wong Avery Library

On my bucket list: Traveling

Advice to new students: Set the tone everywhere you go. Smile first and people will smile back. Greet everyone you meet. Be the first to say hi and initiate friendships. College is what you make it. You got this :)
Macy Tran, Class of 2026

Hometown: San Diego (City Heights), CA

High School: Crawford High School

Sixth College, Communication

Favorite Spot on Campus: FAH, 5th floor in RWAC, & SIO department!!

On my bucket list: Skydive, & travel to different parts of Europe :P

Advice to new students: NEVER compare yourself to others!!!!!!!!! DX!!!!
Lauren Schiele, Class of 2025

Hometown: Chicago, IL

High School: Rolling Meadows High School

John Muir College, Global Health (Biology minor)

Favorite Spot on Campus: Mom's Cafe

On my bucket list: Glide at Gliderport

Advice to new students: Try new things and get involved in clubs you are interested in to find people who are passionate about the same things you are!
Karina Oquendo, Class 2025

Hometown: La Mirada, CA

High School: Saint Joseph High School

Seventh College, Literatures in English

Favorite Spot on Campus: The Cross Cultural Community Center!

On my bucket list: Go to Iguazú Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil :)

Advice to new students: Put yourself out there as much as you can, even if it’s scary. The “UC Socially Dead” stereotype is only true if you don’t make the most of your time here. People are cool—talk to them!
Daisy Castaneda Garcia, Class of 2026

Hometown: San Diego, CA

High School: San Diego High School

Thurgood Marshall College, Human Biology

Favorite Spot on Campus: CASP Office

On my bucket list: Visit New York in the winter and experience snow for the first time!

Advice to new students: Say YES to everything and most importantly do NOT compare yourself to others. We all have different paths and that's what creates our authenticity, so do what makes YOU happy!
Leila Kepler, Class of 2026

Hometown: Riverside, CA

High School: John W. North High School

Sixth College, Cognitive Science

Favorite Spot on Campus: Eighth College Study Lounges!

On my bucket list: To Start Traveling!

Advice to new students: Stay on top of your work and utilize a calendar.
Maria Cortes-Morton, Class of 2026

Hometown: San Diego, CA

High School: San Diego High School

Earl Warren College, Communication (Spanish Lit&Theater minor)

Favorite Spot on Campus: Carolines Cafe

On my bucket list: See the northern lights

Advice to new students: Stay on track and take some time for self-care every once in a while.
Amirah Onanuga, Class of 2025

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

High School: Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School

Revelle College, Human Biology

Favorite Spot on Campus: Glider Port

On my bucket list: going to Ireland

Advice to new students: Prioritize what is best for you
Victoria Nhean, Class of 2027

Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Highschool: Long Beach Polytechnic High School

Revelle College, human Development Science

Favorite Spot on Campus: Blue Bowl

On my bucket list: to go on a trip to Korea, Japan, and Singapore

Advice to new students: Find a balance between classes and time for yourself.
Milena Zeru, Class of 2025

Hometown: Eastvale

Highschool: Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Revelle College, Chemical Engineering

Favorite Spot on Campus: Franklin Antonio Hall

On my bucket list: Going to Europe

Advice to new students: Try to be as organized as possible
Michelle Sorto, Class of 2025

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Highschool: New Designs Charter School

Earl Warren College, Pharmacological Chemistry (Visual Arts and Japanese Studies minor)

Favorite Spot on Campus: Target :)

On my bucket list: Traveling the world with my friends

Advice to new students: My advice for new students is to attend classes, manage your time well, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from professors, advisors, or campus resources. Get involved in clubs or activities to meet people and build your community. Take care of your physical and mental health, and use services like counseling or wellness programs if needed.
Fariha Anwar, Class of 2025

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Highschool: Bravo Medical Magnet High School

Eleanor Roosevelt College, Cognitive Science w/ a specialization in design & International Studies International Business

Favorite Spot on Campus: Biomed (Avery Wong) Library

On my bucket list: Take a Trip to London

Advice to new students: It seems hard now, but the friendships you make, the subjects you learn and the way you mature all play into how you experience these next 4 years.
Isaac Castillo, Class of 2025

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Highschool: Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School

John Muir College, Biochemistry (Psychology Minor)

Favorite Spot on Campus: Club Med or Biomed

On my bucket list: Learn how to surf

Advice to new students: Make sure to give some time for yourself even when school becomes overwhelming
Nicole Tran, Class of 2026

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Highschool: The Preuss School UCSD

Sixth College, Pharmacological Chemistry

Favorite Spot on Campus: Vela 1st floor study lounge

On my bucket list: Visit Hong Kong, Japan (again), South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand in one go

Advice to new students: Stay organized! Have something to hold yourself accountable, like a planner, google calendar, a physical calendar, or something to write down important due dates and events!
Steven Tran, Class of 2027

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Highschool: Mira Mesa High School

Revelle College, Molecular and Cell Biology

Favorite Spot on Campus: CASP Office & Wong Avery

On my bucket list: Travel the world

Advice to new students: Try your best and let the curve do the rest!
Tamara Lomeli, Class of 2025

Hometown: Tijuana

Highschool/Community College: Southwestern College

Eleanor Roosevelt College, General Sociology

Favorite Spot on Campus: The hammocks by library walk and the Wang Library

On my bucket list: Go to Romania!

Advice to new students: Seemingly unmanageable tasks become manageable when you break them down into smaller ones. Give yourself grace! Adaptation to a new environment is rough and it takes time for people to adjust.
Paola Baylon, Class of 2025

Hometown: Chula Vista, CA

Highschool: E3 Civic High

Thurgood Marshall College, Clinical Psychology (Socio-Cultural Anthropology minor)

Favorite Spot on Campus: UMI or The Women's Center

On my bucket list: Go to England or Japan

Advice to new students: College is about finding who you are, so make sure to make the most out of every opportunity. As a student here at UCSD Time flies, and because of that it can be easy to overlook a lot of different things, but don’t let that stop you never from making memories.

While Career and Academics have play a huge part in our daily lives, make sure to also enjoy yourself, explore new places around campus, study with friends, or go to an on campus event. Don’t let the stress overcome you, because remember college is just a small chapter of understanding yourself, but memories are forever.
Nadia Salah, Class of 2026

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Highschool: Mt. Carmel High School

Seventh College, Human Biology

Favorite Spot on Campus: MOMs

On my bucket list: To see the northern lights

Advice to new students: Embrace every opportunity to get involved and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. UCSD has so much to offer both academically and socially!

CASP Peer Leaders (CPLs)

Meet the Staff