Peer Mentors
EXITO alums working with sophomore scholars
Sarah Autry
Coaching individuals toward success is the main goal. People often need advice on what to do and how to do it and often it is just about encouragement and support. That is the type of holistic mentoring Sarah offers.
Sarah has had many mentors in her life but has felt that the most beneficial mentoring experiences were characterized by mutual respect and her mentor’s faith in her abilities, which helped her to believe in herself. Sarah believes that everyone needs an academic “cheerleader” to whom they can confide and feel like they’ve been heard. Sarah’s professional and academic experiences provide a unique yet comprehensive platform from which she supports her mentees.
Sarah Autry is Cohort 4 BUILD EXITO alum beginning her senior year at PSU pursuing a Pre-Med track Bachelor of Science Biology degree with a Minor in Public Health. She is a mother of five children and has professionally coached figure skating for over 20 years. Her career goal is to become a trauma surgeon at a Level 1 trauma hospital.
Sarah transferred to PSU from Clackamas Community College after earning her Associates of Science Degree with an emphasis in Biology with honors. During her first year at CCC, she attended the Emergency Medical Technician program and earned her EMT-Basic license, which allowed her to secure an EMT position with American Medical Response (AMR). While attending CCC full-time, Sarah worked part-time at AMR and at Lloyd Center Ice Rink teaching figure skating in both group and individual capacities.
Vida Echaluse
Hi! My name is Ma Vida Amor Beruelo Echaluse (pronouns: she/her/hers; preferred name: Vida). I graduated in June 2021 with my bachelor’s degree in Pre-Clinical Health Science from Portland State University. I was a transfer student from the Northern Mariana Islands and an EXITO alumni from cohort 3. I found my undergrad journey to be at times frightening and overwhelming, however, being able to talk to someone, like my mentor, uplifted my confidence and reassured me that I have the abilities to accomplish my goals. Currently, I am a clinical research assistant at Oregon Health and Science University, investigating ototoxicity in patients with cystic fibrosis and pediatric populations. I chose to be an EXITO peer mentor to provide the same support and be a source of guidance and motivation. I believe that the things we can learn from one another will be beneficial in our journey in becoming leaders in our communities.
Rachel Hunt
Hello everyone! My name is Rachel Hunt (she/her); I was a BUILD EXITO Cohort 4 Scholar and started EXITO at PCC. I graduated from PSU in Spring 2021 with a B.S. in Chemistry: Biochemistry. During my time in EXITO, I did research with Dr. Bory Kea in the Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine at OHSU. I worked on various cardiac-related studies and a couple of COVID-19 studies. During my free time I enjoy reading, gardening, going on walks, tap dancing, and watching sports (just to name a few). Mentoring relationships have really left a lasting impact on me and I hope to give the same experience to you all. I am really looking forward to working with everyone and supporting you through EXITO! Please feel free to reach out at any time.
Ruben Vila
My name is Ruben Vila and I recently graduated from PSU in June of 2021. I am hoping to go into women’s health and become an OB/GYN. I have experience applying to medical school and everything that entails. I worked for two years in women’s reproductive health research at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. I helped study issues such as endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, and contraception. I currently work as a medical assistant in a spinal clinic helping patients with chronic back pain. In my free time I enjoy hiking, exercising, and anything outdoors. I am excited to be a peer mentor and answer any questions you might have!
Past Peer Mentors (2020-2021)
Sara Herrejon
During her undergrad Sara Herrejon majored in Environmental Studies and minored in Biology and Sustainability at Portland State University. Sara was introduced to research as a freshman, and has since then gained many years of experience exploring the field of research. She has worked with Dr. Daniel Ballhorn, Dr.Todd Rosenstiel, and Dr. Sarah Eppley at Portland State University. She has also participated in multiple REU programs in her time as an undergrad. She was a CCAR REU scholar at Portland State, and a REU scholar at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York City. Sara is an alumni for the Build Exito program, she was part of Exito’s cohort 2 scholars. She has also participated as an LSAMP scholar and Ronald E McNair scholar. Outside of research, Sara has spent plenty of time volunteering and mentoring within the STEM community. She has volunteered with On-Track and was a mentor for Exito during the 2019/2020 academic year. Sara has many interests within STEM, but some of her favorites include environmental science, and ecology. As of now Sara is currently in the process of applying for graduate programs across the country. Outside of science, Sara is an artist who works with a variety of mediums, her favorites include pen illustrations and painting. If you visit the LSAMP center at Portland State, you will see an original piece of hers presented as a mural that hangs in the center
Phuc Nguyen
Phuc is a BUILD EXITO and Portland State University alumnus. He has a B.S. in Psychology and Community Health Education. Currently, his primary interest is in environmental health, health determinants, and learning different statistical analyses of data. Phuc is also passionate about providing support and mentoring to others. In his free time, he enjoys dancing, hiking, and learning random historical events.
Miya Walker
Miya Walker (she/her/they) is excited to be working with you all as a peer mentor. She was part of BUILD EXITO’s first scholar cohort and loves this program so much! As a Queer Black Woman, they look forward to challenging systems of oppression and advancing equity for students. This is part of her larger goals of making college campuses and work spaces more accessible and changing the notions that research is only done by and for the benefit of white people. Miya approaches this work through a community organizing framework. These experiences mirror her dedication to building long-term partnerships and sustaining healthy relationships in the world. Miya is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Health with a concentration in Health Equity at the University of Maryland. In the past, Miya did research with Dr. Raina Croff at OHSU to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease and Dementia in older Black people. She has also held the role of a case manager for various non-profits working with people experiencing homelessness. In her free time, Miya loves to watch home renovation shows and tend to her plants. She is looking forward to connecting with you all and invites you to reach out freely.
Motutama Sipelii
Greetings & Talofa! My name is Motutama Sipelii, and I'm a pre-med Health Science major entering my senior year at PSU. I transferred from the American Samoa Community College in fall 2017 and graduated from the Exito program in Winter 2019. I was placed in the Podrabsky Lab advised by Dr. Jaon Podrabsky where I worked on an independent research project that accessed how fluctuating temperature patterns affect sex ratios of developing A. limnaeus killifish species. Fun fact I'm currently the ASPSU Student Body President and so if any folks had any specific concerns regarding your student experience here at PSU let me know! I'm also involved with SHAC as a Student Health Advisory Board member and other student groups on campus. Feel free to email me if you need anything!
Michael Santos
Hafa Adai, My name is Michael Santos and I am currently a senior at Portland State University, graduating from the Build Exito program as of Spring 2020. I'm majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Biology, pursuing a career in being a Physician Assistant. Like many who have been accepted into the program, my home is Saipan of the Northern Mariana Islands. Despite being far from home, I am still lucky to have a very strong islander community here in PSU consisting of friends, advisors, staff, and the Pacific Islander Club. My hobbies include hanging out with friends, playing video games, and exercising. During my time with EXITO, I had the privilege of working in a biological lab examining parasitic worm eggs, as well as observing patients within OHSU's trauma department. Looking forward to meeting all of you!
Victoria Flisco
Victoria is an aspiring medical doctor and researcher, currently a graduate student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa under the Clinical and Translational Research Program. She graduated as a BUILD EXITO Cohort 1 Scholar with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Biomedical Track from the University of Guam (UOG) in Spring 2019. Throughout her time as an undergraduate, Victoria served as the co-founder and president of the UOG Premedical Chapter of the American Medical Student Association and as the volunteer Program Coordinator of The Health Opportunities and Medical Exposure (HOME) Summer Program; and she interned at public and private medical facilities. Following graduation, Victoria gained experience as a Research Associate at the University of Guam within the Pacific Islands Cohort on CArdiometabolic Health (PICCAH) U24 Study – A Cohort for Studying the Burden of Cardiometabolic Diseases in Guam and Pohnpei.