My name is Astrid Raygoza, I am from the city of Guadalajara (Mexico), but I have been living in Houston, Texas since the age of 3. I am currently in my third year at UHD and have plans to graduate in December 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. I first heard about the Peer Mentoring Program through a friend of mine and fellow Peer Mentor. The program became of my interest as its goals aligned with my own goals which are to help others. Looking back on my freshman year I realize how much being part of the UHD's Honors Program helped guide me in my transition from High School to University; however, I know not everyone is part of a program, organization, or club from the first day they attend UHD. Furthermore, regardless of student's affiliations to organizations, college can still be confusing and stressful at times; therefore, my goal is to guide and help both freshmen and transfer students just like I was guided and helped my freshman year and even more than that as I have first-hand experienced the concerns, confusions, and general questions new students may have. Fall 2021 is my first semester as a Peer Mentor and I plan to continue to be one until I graduate. Besides being a Peer Mentor for the Gator Success Center I am also a Peer Mentor for the Honors Program, I am a SUSTAIN Scholar, and one of two secretaries for UHD's Psychology Club. My plan after graduating from UHD is to attend Medical School to obtain the education necessary to eventually pursue a career as a Psychiatrist.

My name is Litzy Rodriguez Alvarez and I am from Monterrey Nuevo Leon, Mexico and have lived in the United States for 16 years. This Fall 2021 semester I am entering my senior year at UHD majoring in Communications and minoring in Political Science and Spanish. This will also be my third year mentoring for the Gator Success Center. I've loved Peer Mentoring freshmen student because most of them are first generation students. As a first generation student myself, I've experienced first-hand what it feels to have impostor syndrome and having no direction regarding academics. Being a Peer Mentor has helped me be that person for someone else to make college easier for them. While at the university, I've taken part as a member of Mariachi Los Caimanes, Latinas Achieve, and UHD iRadio. My applications in my field of communication have also been applied outside of school with some non-profits like JOLT Action and Field Houston. These organizations have help me be a leader in the Hispanic/undocumented community. I hope after graduating I can apply my skills in a field working with the Hispanic community and education.

My name is Genesis Terrazas. I’m currently completing my last Fall semester at UHD and will be graduating in the Spring. I’m majoring in Biological & Physical Sciences and plan to get my pre-requisites for Veterinary School. I am part of UHD Scholars Academy and UHD Greater Texas Foundation Program, which is how I initially learned about the Peer Mentor Program. All three programs have allowed to me to make connections around UHD, obtain new skills, and gain new opportunities that have helped me gain new knowledge and experiences. This is my second semester as a Peer Mentor but my first one doing it in person. During my freshman year at UHD, I had a mentor for my seminar class. My mentor helped me out in many ways which made my transition to a four-year university easier. As a first-generation student, having a mentor helped in many ways which is why I decided to join the Peer Mentor Program. This fall, I intend to continue helping incoming freshmen with ways they can make their college experience easier and the best one they can get.

My name is Dan Khanh Tran, I'm a sophomore at UHD, studying Biology major. I'm a first-generation student and I find it difficult to keep up with my school work. I did not take a seminar class at UHD and didn't have a Peer Mentor who can help me to find the resources provided by UHD. When I found out that there is such an amazing program at school, I immediately wanted to sign up. As a student who struggled without a Peer Mentor, I have a personal experience to provide tips and explain how Peer Mentor Program can help a student to be successful at UHD. I'm passionate about helping other students and joining the Peer Mentor Program giving me a chance to do so in addition to helping me develop leadership skills and improve communication skills. These skills allow me to step out of my shell and I joined the Supplemental Instruction programs, along with ASDA, an organization for pre-dental students. I'm looking forward to participating in more school organizations and sharing my experiences with my mentees in the future."

My name is Karen Vanessa Valdez, I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I am about to begin my fourth year at UH-D. I came to college with a love for philosophy, but have applied it to my academic career through the lens of an International Business degree, with a minor in English-Spanish translation. I first began mentoring in the Fall of 2019 from this love I have of philosophy, and mentoring, in its essence, is the passing down of wisdom. Through my efforts in the mentoring program, I am able to learn about others, and myself simultaneously. In the Peer Mentoring Program, I have worked with freshman students, as well as students on academic probation. The skills I have gained from this position have led me to get my highest achievement in college thus far, an International Business internship I did in the summer of 2020 with a company in Uruguay. Other things I have been a part of while at UH-D include the Honors Program, The Dean's List, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars Honor Society, The Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, serving as Treasurer for Phi Sigma Tau Philosophy Honor Society, Editor In Chief of the Bayou Review, making history as UH-D's first regional championship Women's Soccer Team, and presenting at the Annual Gender Conference. This fall, I plan to assist incoming college students who are entering a whole new college world. With my interactions with them, I hope to inspire them to keep aiming high even as the world continues to change. I will not only show them how to aim high with their goals but mobilize them to be in close reach of those goals. After graduating from UH-D I plan on going to a graduate program for economics in France. I look forward to this semester!

My name is Mary-Kate Vallejo. I’m currently a sophomore majoring in General Business. I heard about the Peer Mentoring Program towards the end of my freshman year. Being a freshman during a pandemic and attending class remotely was a challenge. Due to my ambition, I was successful my first year and would like to help others succeed in their own way. I have always wanted a mentor to help guide me, so I signed up to give that opportunity to others. This is my first time being a peer mentor. It is something that I see myself doing until I graduate because I am committed. Joining the Peer Mentoring Program has been a great opportunity to build a community and welcome incoming freshmen students. It has helped me network with others as well as gain skills such as time management. One of the organizations I have taken part in is Gator Gala. I’ve made the dean’s list my first year of college. I am a part of The National Society of Leadership and Success. I am also a part of the Baptist Student Ministry. My goals after graduation are to be a realtor and open my own business.

My name is Gamon Williams, I was born and raised in the great city of Houston Texas. I’m currently finishing my final year here at UHD and I am considered a senior. I am a science major seeking a degree in biological and physical sciences. I’ve first heard about the Peer Mentoring Program after having a talk with my Bio seminar professor and immediately applied for it since I knew that it would help to make my college transition and experience much more thrilling and easier, especially as a first-generation student. Having a mentor during first year in college helped me in many ways and is also the main reason why I decided to become a mentor myself. I have been working as a peer mentor since fall 2021 and hope to continue until I graduate. Joining the Peer Mentoring Program has been a great way to help both freshman and transfer students, and if I could take away anxiety from at least one student then it would make my efforts worth it 10 times over. It has also helped me to develop leadership skills and form new connections and I have plans to make even more connections by joining different programs that I have learned about through the peer mentorship program. My goal is to graduate from UHD and pursue a Master of Science in cardiovascular perfusion.

My name is Isaac Wote. I am originally from Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa. I am a senior student at the University double majoring in Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management. I have joined the Gator Success Center as a Peer Mentor to help my junior fellow students in any way I can as I am eagerly interested to see them succeed in college. Currently, I am working for the UN Agency as Operations Assistant. In my spare time, I enjoy playing football and spending time with family and friends. Once graduated, I plan to become a System Analyst and continue with my postgraduate studies.