PASSWORDMANAGEMENT
UNIV Peer Coaches
UNIV/ARC Peer coaches are "ARC graduates" students who were once on academic notice (or even disqualified) but returned to ´ó·¢ despite these setbacks in pursuit of their personal and academic goals. They each experienced academic struggle for different reasons, but what they have in common is overcoming and working through their challenges towards their overall personal development.
Our UNIV-affiliated peer mentoring program is here to help you bounce back. Meet our awesome Peer Coaches – they’ve been in your shoes, faced academic challenges, and came out stronger. They’re here to support you, guide you, and remind you that you’re more than just your grades.
Why?
- Real Support: Your Peer Coach is like a built-in friend who gets it. They’ll challenge you, support you, and listen.
- Personal Growth: It’s not just about grades. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself.
- Interactive Sessions: Meet with your Peer Coach twice a semester for some real talk and guidance.
Join us and let’s turn those setbacks into comebacks! 💪
Meet Our Spring 2025 Peer Coaches!
Meet our awesome Peer Coaches – they’ve been in your shoes, faced academic challenges, and came out stronger. They’re here to support you, guide you, and remind you that you’re more than just your grades.
🌟Meet Andrea Pineda Zapien; Major: Criminology & Justice Studies, Minor: Spanish
Courses: UNIV 100A: Growth Mindset, Resiliency, & Student Success and UNIV 280-7: Applications in Academic Resilience
I am a fourth-year Criminology and Justice Studies Major and minoring in Spanish Language. I took a UNIV 100A class during my freshman year and UNIV 300C last semester. These courses have given me the skills to continue pursuing my education here at ´ó·¢ despite the hardships I have faced. During my free time, I enjoy getting a good workout, lifting weights, and spending time with friends. I am excited to help guide you and be a part of your success throughout this semester!
🌟Meet Brooke Hoy; Major: Literature & Writing Studies (she/her)
Courses: UNIV 100A: Growth Mindset, Resiliency, & Student Success and UNIV 280-7: Applications in Academic Resilience
I am a 4th year Literature/Writing major and figuring out what's next for me. When first coming to college I struggled with balancing living on my own for the first time as well as navigating having anxiety and a new OCD diagnosis. This eventually led to me getting disqualified from the university, causing me to take a semester off. After getting reinstated to ´ó·¢ I was enrolled in UNIV 300C where I learned how to overcome my situation and find my passion for learning again.
🌟Meet Daisy Ponce; Major: Psychological Sciences, Minor: Criminal & Justice Studies (she/her)
Course: UNIV 100A: Growth Mindset, Resiliency, & Student Success
Hi I'm Daisy I’m a first-generation student from Escondido, CA, and just a few semesters ago, I found myself on academic notice—not once, but twice. It felt overwhelming at first, but I didn’t give up. I pushed through, and today, I’m proud to say that I’ve made the Dean’s List. The challenges I faced have shaped who I am, and that’s why I’m here as a Peer Coach—because I’ve been where you are, and I want to help you succeed, too. I’m passionate about supporting UNIV students and beyond. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I believe in your ability to succeed, and together, we can work through whatever you’re facing.
🌟Meet Grace Macin; Major: Criminology & Justice Studies, Minor: Political Science (she/her)
Course: UNIV 100A: Growth Mindset, Resiliency, & Student Success
Hi! My name is Grace Macin and I’m a 4th year Criminology and Justice Studies Major with a Minor in Political Science. I was born and raised on the north shore of Chicago, Illinois, or as some call it, the third coast. I love reading, running, and traveling. I also love a good little drink. If I’m at the library, you will never catch me without a matcha latte with a dash of lavender. I was placed in UNIV 100A in the spring of my 2nd year after being disqualified and my goal as your peer coach is to provide support on your journey towards academic success. We got this!
🌟Meet Jacob Lee; Major: Business Administration - Finance (He/Him)
Course: UNIV 100A: Growth Mindset, Resiliency, & Student Success and UNIV 300B: Transfer Success Strategies
I am currently a 6th year student at ´ó·¢. I am currently studying Finance at ´ó·¢. I was born and raised in San Diego, California. My hobbies include watching sports such as Basketball, Football, Baseball, MMA, etc. Like many of you I have faced many academic struggles during my time throughout college. My goal as a peer coach is to foster a welcoming environment to you and help you get back on track towards your academic goals of success.
🌟Meet Janelle Watkins; Major: Psychological Sciences (She/her)
Course: UNIV 100A: Growth Mindset, Resiliency, & Student Success
I’m a psychology major and from southeast San Diego. I love coffee, farmers markets, and making new playlists for my commute. Last semester, I took Univ 300C after being disqualified. I really struggled transitioning to college, and I faced inner turmoil and major hardships. I felt too embarrassed to ask for help and didn’t know about the amazing resources available on campus to help me. Being placed in UNIV taught me about myself and how to work through these challenges and grow as a student. My peer mentor sparked my motivation to do better as a student. Now, I’m here to motivate, encourage and support YOU on your journey.
🌟Meet Jennifer Ramirez; Major: Child & Adolescent Development (She/her)
Course: UNIV 300B: Transfer Success Strategies and UNIV 200B: The Peer Coach Experience
I was born in Brooklyn, New York, came to California when I was 5, and have been here ever since. I am a first-generation college student who transferred to ´ó·¢ from Mira Costa College. My major is Child and adolescent development AKA CHAD. I am a former foster youth so I am a part of the ACE program on campus. Some of my hobbies are weight training, listening to music, and being a mom to 3 amazing kids. One of the biggest things that I have learned in UNIV is the power of vulnerability, which connects to my odyssey of wanting to gain self-confidence and self-love. It has taught me to love myself wholeheartedly and recognize the courage it has taken to stand up to the fears that held me back from being authentically me.
🌟Meet Mar Leeza Tezeno; Major: Criminology & Justice Studies and Communication
Course: UNIV 100A: Growth Mindset, Resiliency, & Student Success
My name is Mar Leeza Tezeno, and I am a student pursuing a double major in Criminology and Justice Studies as well as Communication. Beyond my academic pursuits, my love for reading spans various genres, and enjoy creating and viewing art. My unwavering passion and determination to live life to the fullest sets me apart, which has helped me through my academic journey. One valuable lesson I've learned from my UNIV experience is the resilience of embracing setbacks as opportunities for powerful comebacks and understanding that misdirection can be a stepping stone toward meaningful redirection. I'm eager to bring this perspective and my academic achievements to contribute positively to this exciting journey!
🌟Meet Martin Garcia; Major: Business Administration- Marketing
Course: UNIV 100A: Growth Mindset, Resiliency, & Student Success
My name is Martin Garcia and I am a third year Marketing major from Temecula, California. My hobbies include playing volleyball on the club team here at ´ó·¢, collecting trading cards, and a lot of photography and videography. I took UNIV 200A my second year and also took UNIV 300C this last semester upon my return from being disqualified.My experience in UNIV not only helped me get to where I am in this role as a peer coach, but also gave me the necessary tools and practices in order to succeed in the rest of my academic journey. My goal as a peer coach this semester is to give back to the program that aided me and help out in any way I can.
🌟Meet Miguel Bucaro; Major: Psychological Sciences (He/Him)
Courses: UNIV 300C: Thriving in College & Purposeful Mentorship and UNIV 300B: Transfer Success Strategies
I am a fourth year Psychological Sciences major here at ´ó·¢ and plan to graduate Spring 2026. I love crocheting, reading and have a huge music range. Anything from Jhene Aiko, to Slipknot, to Arca, to Lana del Rey, I listen to everything. During my rigorous transition to college, I struggled with my mental health and living alone for the first time in my life. This caused my grades to absolutely nosedive and I ended my second semester of freshman year with a 1.2 GPA. I was Academically disqualified and after a semester of self-discovery and lots of patience I realized that I did want to put the work in and now look where I am! UNIV taught me so much about myself.
🌟Meet Nyauni Davis; Major: Kinesiology, Minor: Biology
Courses: UNIV 100A: Growth Mindset, Resiliency, & Student Success and UNIV 280-7: Applications in Academic Resilience
My major is Kinseiology, and I enjoy basketball, shoes, and binge-watching shows. I believe that my nice personality and my constant pursuit of life lessons set me apart from the others. One thing I took away from my UNIV 100A course was time management. I also learned to take pauses and not put too much pressure on myself to do my work at once.
🌟Meet Trista Hartman; Major: Liberal Studies - Human Development
Courses: UNIV 100A: Growth Mindset, Resiliency, & Student Success
I am in my third year here at ´ó·¢ with a Liberal Studies major with a Human Development focus. I'm working towards becoming an elementary teacher. I played soccer growing up and I now coach kids soccer! I also enjoy finding new coffee shops and browsing antique stores. My time in UNIV not only helped me academically, but it also helped me find my purpose for being in college in the first place. Once I put all my efforts into it, I saw just how amazing this class can be. I'm an open book, and I am excited to share my story with you guys!