Meet Our Peer Advising Team!
Our Peer Advisors are available for drop-in advising and over email to provide one-on-one advising for students. All Peer Advisors are trained to answer general questions regarding the Cognitive Science and Psychology undergraduate majors. You can find the Drop-In Advising schedule on the Undergraduate Advising webpage.
Peer advisors are trained to assist with: personal academic plans, graduation checks, general questions about the majors, major declaration questions, and much more! For questions, please email psypeer@ucsc.edu!
Meet Arun!
Hello! My name is Arun Das (he/him), and I am a third-year Psychology and Sociology double major affiliated with Merrill.
"How long have you been at UCSC? If you are a transfer student, which school(s) did you attend prior?"
I've been at UCSC for my entire three-year college career so far.
"Why did you want to become a Peer Advisor?"
Ultimately, I became a peer advisor to help students just as peer advisors helped me. Over the course of my time at UCSC, I found myself joining the drop-in zoom meetings stressed out and worrying about enrollment, major requirements, you name it. I would leave each meeting with a newfound sense of relief that I hope to pass on to students today.
"Outside of your studies, what do you do for fun or to find balance?"
Outside of school, I am an avid record collector, enjoy watching way too much TV, and hanging out with friends.
"Is there an opportunity you've taken advantage of while at UCSC you recommend? (i.e. study abroad, research lab work, clubs or organization involvement?)"
I would highly recommend any student, regardless of year, to visit the Career Center. They have a vast array of resources from online tests to match you with possible career paths and a free wardrobe of professional attire for prospective interviews.
Meet Jasmine!
Hey there Fellow Slugs! My name is Jasmine Aroma (she/her pronouns), I am currently a fourth year, double majoring in Sociology and Intensive Psychology, affiliated with Oakes.
"How long have you been at UCSC? If you are a transfer student, which school(s) did you attend prior?"
I have been at UCSC since Summer 2023, and before that I attended and transferred from College of Alameda. Let me know if you have any transfer questions. I'd be happy to help.
"Why did you want to become a Peer Advisor?"
I wanted to become a Peer Advisor because I want to help empower others on their path towards an education. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” I strongly believe this and want to offer guidance and support any way I can to help others achieve their goals with confidence.
"Outside of your studies, what do you do for fun or to find balance?"
Outside of my studies, I love to spend time with my animals! I have 3 cats, 2 dogs, a snake named Sunny, and 7 fish. I love going on different outdoor adventures to soak up the sun and am passionate about cooking. I love to try new recipes and find joy in cooking for friends and family.
"Is there an opportunity you've taken advantage of while at UCSC you recommend? (i.e. study abroad, research lab work, clubs or organization involvement?)"
There are many opportunities here at UCSC, but one specific opportunity that I would recommend to anyone on campus is the Cowell Coffee Shop. The Cowell Coffee Shop is a free, student-ran cafe that provides hot meals, coffee, snacks, and a cool place to hang out on campus. It's located in Cowell College. I love stopping by and trying the different things they make; my favorite is the Pupusas!
Meet Kelly Rose!
Hi! My name is Kelly Rose (she/her), and I’m a fourth year Cognitive Science major affiliated with College Nine.
"How long have you been at UCSC? If you are a transfer student, which school(s) did you attend prior?"
I’ve been at UCSC for almost 2 years. I’m a transfer student who attended Skyline College and College of San Mateo in the Bay Area.
"Why did you want to become a Peer Advisor?"
Firstly, it has been my goal to get an internship at UCSC. Second, my dream career is to become an academic counselor for colleges. After I found out about the Peer Advisor position and how to become one when I met with a Peer Advisor, I thought it would be a great opportunity to gain valuable experience in that field. I spent a long time in community college aimlessly trying to figure out the right path for me. I wouldn't be where I am now without the support and care of my community college counselors who gave me the information and resources I didn't even know existed. With them, I gained the confidence to switch majors, work toward my educational and professional goals, and ease my anxieties of facing the unknown. I really value giving back to the community and as a peer advisor I hope to help support students on their journey toward building a bright and fulfilling future!
"Outside of your studies, what do you do for fun or to find balance?"
I love talking to and hanging out with friends, going out to eat, spending time in nature, listening to music, reading, playing games, watching anime, and going to anime conventions. Whenever I can, I use my alone time for introspection because mindfulness and checking in with yourself is very important to stay balanced!
"Is there an opportunity you've taken advantage of while at UCSC you recommend? (i.e. study abroad, research lab work, clubs or organization involvement?)"
I highly recommend joining clubs! UCSC has many clubs to offer based on interests, majors, and personal goals. Finding community is a great way to build connections, work on social skills, and get through the rigorous grind of school with people on similar paths. I'm in the anime club, kpop club, and am looking into joining to Cognitive Science club to learn more about my major!
Meet Lola!
Hi my name is Lola, and my pronouns are she/her. I am a senior studying psychology, and I am affiliated with John R. Lewis College.
"How long have you been at UCSC? If you are a transfer student, which school(s) did you attend prior?"
I have been at UCSC since I was a freshman in 2021.
"Why did you want to become a Peer Advisor?"
I wanted to become a Peer Advisor because I wanted to help other students. College can be a challenging and rewarding process, and it's very important to find a place where you can receive support. I would come into an advising meeting feeling stressed out about classes, enrollment and all sorts of questions but after the meeting I would leave feeling reassured. I have used the advising services before and I have always found them extremely helpful!
"Outside of your studies, what do you do for fun or to find balance?"
I love to take walks in the redwoods, hangout with my friends, draw, read, journal and watch a tv show/movie.
"Is there an opportunity you've taken advantage of while at UCSC you recommend? (i.e. study abroad, research lab work, clubs or organization involvement?)"
I would definitely recommend studying abroad! I studied abroad in Brighton, England for a semester at the University of Sussex and it was an amazing experience! I got to travel to Paris, Florence, Copenhagen, and Santorini. Experiencing different cultures really changed my world perspective. I also highly recommend EOP and LSS service; they were extremely helpful to me during my freshman year.
Meet Nicole!
Hi, I’m Nicole! I’m a third year pursuing Psychology with an intensive concentration and I’m affiliated with RCC.
"How long have you been at UCSC? If you are a transfer student, which school(s) did you attend prior?"
I’ve been at UCSC since Fall of 2021.
"Why did you want to become a Peer Advisor?"
As a first-generation student, I understand that navigating the college experience can be difficult or confusing. I want to be able to make this journey less stressful and answer any questions or concerns students may have to the best of my abilities. We’re here for you!
"Outside of your studies, what do you do for fun or to find balance?"
Outside of the academic setting, I enjoy second-hand shopping and going on road trips! I’ve been thrifting since I was 5 with my dad :) We also loved hitting the yard sales every weekend. My favorite road trip so far has been traveling alongside the coast and staying in Big Sur for a bit.
"Is there an opportunity you've taken advantage of while at UCSC you recommend? (i.e. study abroad, research lab work, clubs or organization involvement?)"
Throughout my time here at UCSC, the EOP center has supported me and provided some great resources!