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CASP Peer Leaders (CPLs)

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.

  • Daisy Castaneda Garcia, Class of 2026

    Daisy Castaneda Garcia, Class of 2026

    Daisy is among this year's CPL Leads
    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!
  • Maria Cortes-Morton, Class of 2026

    Maria Cortes-Morton, Class of 2026

    Maria is among this year's CPL Leads
    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.
  • Belinda Bustos Ayala, Class of 2027

    Belinda Bustos Ayala, Class of 2027

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Eighth College, Business Economics (Finance and Entrepreneurship minor)
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Phoo Nay Chi, Class of 2026

    Phoo Nay Chi, Class of 2026

    Hometown:
    Community College: Pasadena City College
    Revelle College, Molecular and Cell Biology (Innovation and Entrepreneurship minor)
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Nicholas Choi, Class of 2027

    Nicholas Choi, Class of 2027

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Eighth College, General Biology (Music minor)
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Mariajose Escobar-Roca, Class of 2027

    Mariajose Escobar-Roca, Class of 2027

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Muir College, Clinical Psychology
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Jose Garcia Leon, Class of 2028

    Jose Garcia Leon, Class of 2028

    Hometown:
    Community College: Imperial Valley College
    Warren College, Electrical Engineering
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Dyana Hernandez, Class of 2026

    Dyana Hernandez, Class of 2026

    Hometown:
    Community College: Southwestern College
    Eleanor Roosevelt College, Sociology
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Hazel Kant-Sida, Class of 2028

    Hazel Kant-Sida, Class of 2028

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Marshall College, Human Biology
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Hieu Le, Class of 2027

    Hieu Le, Class of 2027

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Muir College, Mathematics - Computer Science
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Jackie Le, Class of 2028

    Jackie Le, Class of 2028

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Muir College, Pharmacological Chemistry
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Jenifer Madrigal, Class of 2027

    Jenifer Madrigal, Class of 2027

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Marshall College, Clinical Psychology
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Lauren McBride, Class of 2026

    Lauren McBride, Class of 2026

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Warren College, Global Health (Biology minor) 
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Karen Nguyen, Class of 2028

    Karen Nguyen, Class of 2028

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Seventh College, Educational Science
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Jose Nunez, Class of 2028

    Jose Nunez, Class of 2028

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Revelle College, Structural Engineering
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Nicole Tran, Class of 2026

    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

    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!
  • Macy Tran, Class of 2026

    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!!!!
  • Lilah Ueda, Class of 2028

    Lilah Ueda, Class of 2028

    Hometown:
    High School/Community College: 
    Eighth College, Business Economics (Finance minor) 
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Jhony Vasquez Rojas, Class of 2028

    Jhony Vasquez Rojas, Class of 2028

    Hometown:
    High School: Hoover High School
    Muir College, Environmental Systems - Earth Sciences
    Favorite Spot on Campus: 
    On my bucket list: 
    Advice to new students:
  • Xena Zamora, Class of 2026

    Xena Zamora, Class of 2026

    Hometown: San Fernando Valley
    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.
  • Leila Kepler, Class of 2026

    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.
  • Victoria Nhean, Class of 2027

    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.
  • Nadia Salah, Class of 2026

    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!