Each year, GSOE welcomes a new group of Education Ambassadors -- top-notch education students who support the vision and spirit of the GSOE by collaborating with faculty and staff to provide engaging, informative, and personalized experiences for the ESHD community. Ambassadors participate in a variety of outreach and recruitment events (virtually, for now), and facilitate a wide range of student engagement workshops and opportunities for learning and mentorship. Students ambassadors serve as role models, lending their unique insight and voice to the undergraduate experience and by helping shape a vibrant learning community.
Meet the 2020-2021 GSOE Ambassadors!!
Current and prospective students can feel free to email our ambassadors if you'd like to connect, or have any questions about life at UCR!
Thomas Cortez
Learning and Behavioral Studies
4th year
tcort007@ucr.edu
What types of things can you help students with as a student ambassador? I can help provide students with the right resources for academic success such as student programs, how to navigate UCR. I can also provide advice about what has helped me in my academic courses, such as tips for studying, and help students get involved with their community at UCR, or their own communities.
What are some of the activities you have participated in? I have personally participated in Highlander Orientation for transfers as a student and student ambassador, and I have participated in Highlander Day/Live as a student ambassador.
Why did you want to be an ambassador? When I first came to the University of California, Riverside as a transfer student Fall 2019, I met Sergio, a student ambassador for the Graduate School of Education. He was someone I could look up to as a first-gen, student of Color, and transfer student. I saw that he had a passion for helping others, and I knew that was something I wanted to be involved in. I am always trying to learn and become a better educator to my colleagues, my community, and my family. Becoming a GSOE student ambassador is a way to lead and serve my community.
Alessandro De La Cruz
Community Leadership, Policy, and Social Justice
4th year
adel151@ucr.edu
What types of things can you help students with as a student ambassador? I can help students with advice on how to reach out to professors, how to adjust to UCR life as a transfer, and finding campus resources.
Why did you want to be an ambassador? I decided to become a GSOE student ambassador so I could help new students find their footing as college students, and mature in their learning and place here at UCR.
Sindy De La Rosa
Community Leadership, Policy, and Social Justice
4th year
sdel016@ucr.edu
What types of things can you help students with as a student ambassador? I feel like with the current circumstances that we are in, students need encouragement and community more than ever, myself included. I think GSOE student ambassadors can continue to play a great role in building that community and social interaction that might be missing in this 2020-2021 school year. I can help students by reaching into my own networks and finding answers to questions they need help solving. Most importantly, simply willing to be a friend to anyone that needs it in these difficult times, which may feel very isolating. In the school of education, we fight through adversity together!
What are some of the activities you have participated in? I have been a part of student organizations such as Mujeres Unidas (17'-18'), an inclusive womxn empowerment club. I was involved and committed in the Chicano Latino Youth Conference (18'-20') planning committee that was under Chicano Student Programs. During that same time I became involved with ASUCR and was involved in a Mental Health Fair Committee (19') after attending a very influential Student Lobbying Conference (19') in Sacramento. I also enjoyed volunteer work at the R'Garden (18'). Currently, I have leadership in a club called Future Teachers of Color(19'), this is a space dedicated to educators who are committed to social justice, as well as my ongoing leadership and involvement with Chicano Student Programs with Raza Assembly (19'-20') where students of Raza Orgs come together and build community.
Why did you want to be an ambassador? As a student, I have struggled with finding resources, networking, and navigating the everyday endeavors college students face, especially as a first-generation like myself. Within the list of intersectional struggles I faced, I found great comfort in the Graduate School of Education. I absolutely love my major and every hard working member that has contributed to the success of this college, and it's one of the reasons I decided to be an ambassador. I want to add to that success, and share that with students. Through the school of education I have met some of the greatest people I know. This college has become a sense of comfort, confidence, and pride knowing that I am a GSOE student. I decided to be a GSOE ambassador to add that same sense of comfort and confidence I felt, and help students navigate their experience in higher education.
Yvette Rodriguez
Learning and Behavioral Studies
4th year
yrodr016@ucr.edu
What types of things can you help students with as a student ambassador? I can help students navigate GSOE and UCR, whether it be providing input for class recommendations, or help with student events, or just welcoming them into our GSOE family with open arms.
What are some of the activities you have participated in? I participated in this year's Highlander Orientation for the incoming GSOE freshman. I've also participated in Camp Kesem's first virtual summer camp, "Kesem at Home" this year via zoom.
Why did you want to be an ambassador? The reason I applied to become a student ambassador is that I wanted to be a friendly face that my peers could come to when needed. I know how lost one can be while attending UCR during their undergraduate years. During my freshman year, I know that I struggled with finding the right resources/advice or social organizations, so when applying I knew that I wanted to guide those who were in the same pickle that I was, and help them with any questions or concerns that they had. I also enjoy being able to meet new faces when I get the chance.
Hunter Rodriguez
Comparative Studies (Community Leadership / Learning & Behavioral Studies)
4th year
hrodr008@ucr.edu
What types of things can you help students with as a student ambassador? I'm striving to help build community amongst my peers, and also advocate for them as the Education, Society, and Human Development major continues to grow from its beginnings. I want to help provide programs and resources that allow for student engagement, and the advancement of our students' experience here in GSOE. I can best help my students behind the scenes through marketing and planning.
What are some of the activities you have participated in? I have participated in Highlander Orientation and this ambassador program.
Why did you want to be an ambassador? I wanted to be a student ambassador so I could help build community amongst my peers and advocate on behalf of them as our new undergraduate program continued its growth. I fell in love with the small community atmosphere that existed in Sproul Hall, and I not only wanted to be a part of it, but continue that experience for all incoming students.
Ashley Taylor
3rd year
atayl030@ucr.edu
What types of things can you help students with as a student ambassador? I can help students with housing, registration, and getting involved/finding resources on campus
What are some of the activities you have participated in? Things I have participated in are Highlander Orientation, Associated Students of UCR, UC Students Association Student Organizing Summit, Residential Life, and Let’s Take Action.
Why did you want to be an ambassador? I decided to be an ambassador because I knew I wanted to find a way to continue to work with students of UCR, and further develop myself as a leader and campus resource; this position has allowed me to experience new things and find my passions in education.
Diana Torres
Community Leadership, Policy, and Social Justice
4th year
dtorr028@ucr.edu
What types of things can you help students with as a student ambassador? I can help connect students with campus resources, answer questions about the education major, and put on fun and informative GSOE events.
What are some of the activities you have participated in? I have participated in Highlander Orientation, been a Student Research assistant, a Mujeres Unidas member, and a Chicano Peer mentor.
Why did you want to be an ambassador? I wanted to create a sense of community among GSOE students and make sure they all have the resources and support they may need.
Hong An Trang
Learning & Behavioral Studies
2nd year
htran159@ucr.edu
What types of things can you help students with as a student ambassador? I look forward to connecting with students and supporting the journey through UCR and GSOE.
What are some of the activities you have participated in? I have been a part of the Assistance, Coaching, and Encouragement program at the Academic Resource Center and was a member of American Sign Language Club and Vietnamese Student Association.
Why did you want to be an ambassador? The ambassadors helped me feel at home within GSOE, and I want to help other students feel the same.
Brenda Valdez-Gutierrez
Community Leadership, Policy, and Social Justice
3rd year
bvald009@ucr.edu
What types of things can you help students with as a student ambassador? I can offer mentorship and support to students, and help amplify their voices and concerns in our university.
What are some of the activities you have participated in? I was a Chicano Link Peer Mentor and have participated in The Butterfly Project, Residence Hall Association, College Readiness Counseling, HU, and Chicano Student Programs Student Tours/Panels
Why did you want to be an ambassador? I became a student ambassador to join a community who shares the drive to positively impact their communities through education.
Marla Vazquez
Learning and Behavioral Studies
3rd year
mvazq038@ucr.edu
What types of things can you help students with as a student ambassador? As a GSOE student ambassador, I want to help fellow students and peers navigate the institution better, and nurture better connections with one another.
What are some of the activities you have participated in? I helped with Highlander Orientation, various GSOE events, Highlander Early Start Academy, Spanish tutoring, Chicano Student Program Events, and Women's Center Screenings.
Why did you want to be an ambassador? I decided to be a GSOE ambassador to empower and equip my fellow peers with the resources they need to succeed. I wanted to become a bridge for students and institution to better communicate with one another.
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