Scholar Advisory Board

Carolina Ayala, University of Southern California (USC)

Hey everyone! I’m Carolina Ayala, a sophomore attending the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts Theatre Major. You might have recognized my face somewhere on Richmond Promise’s Instagram page because I previously served as the Marketing & Communications Intern! When I heard about the Scholar Advisory Board, I instantly jumped on the opportunity because I believe it’s incredibly important to serve and give back to the community. Using my voice is part of my advocacy for others, whether it’s on or off stage. Besides my responsibilities keeping me occupied, I love watching movies/plays, going to the beach, and getting matcha lattes.

Luz De La Cruz, UC Davis

What’s up!! My name is Luz De La Cruz, a first-generation Mexican-American student, born and raised here in Richmond. I’m in my sophomore year at the University of California, Davis, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Technology Studies. At UC Davis, I have been involved with planning events like the powwow we host every year, and mentoring incoming first years during their time at Davis. As a member of the Richmond Promise Scholar Advisory Board and a Richmond Promise Scholar, I aspire to share my college experience and help others navigate their way through it as well. Outside of that, I love to yap a LOT, so feel free to reach out!!

Isabella Montano, UC Berkeley

Hello! My name is Isabella Montano, and I am so excited to be a part of the Richmond Promise Scholar Board. I graduated from Richmond High in 2022 and am now a fourth-year transfer student at UC Berkeley majoring in Sociology. I work closely with guiding professors and graduate students on our research on the Mexican-U.S. border and immigration. I want to work in a field where I can give back to my community and help pave a way for higher education among our students in Richmond.

Jisselle Rodriguez, University of Oregon

Hello! My name is Jisselle Rodriguez and I’m a sophomore currently attending the University of Oregon. I plan to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. In my free time I enjoy reading, journaling, drawing and listening to music. I’m excited to embark on this new journey with RP and the Scholar Advisory Board to ensure students’ voices/needs are heard and supported by the community.

Justus Weatherspoon, UC Davis

Hello everyone! My name is Justus Weatherspoon, and I’m a junior at UC Davis majoring in Communication with a minor in Technology Management. On campus, I serve as the President of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Student Operations Manager for the ARC/U-Center, and I also work in the Athletics Department supporting events and facilities. In addition, I’m a certified ACE Personal Trainer at the ARC. Wellness and leadership are core values that guide much of what I do. I’m excited to join the RP Advisory Board and contribute to enhancing the community and experience for all RP Scholars.

Taylor Whittington, Clark Atlanta University

Hello, my name is Taylor Whittington, and I am a junior at Clark Atlanta University majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. This past summer, I gained valuable insights during my internship with the BART Police Department Innovation Program, where I conducted research on recruitment and retention strategies within the department. As a Richmond Promise Scholar Advisory Board member, I am passionate about raising awareness of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and showcasing the opportunities they provide, with the goal of inspiring more students from Richmond to consider them as a pathway to higher education. I look forward to using my experiences to inspire others and contribute to building greater opportunities for future students.

Alondra Zermeño, UC Davis

Hi, my name is Alondra Zermeño. I am a third-year civil engineering student at UC Davis. I understand how overwhelming it feels to navigate higher education. I look forward to offering my perspective to the Richmond Promise Scholar Advisory Board and ensuring students not only understand what resources are available to them, but also feel confident in effectively using those resources. Outside of academics, I enjoy trying new activities, hikes, and spending time with friends and family.

Joseph Lopez, San Francisco State

Hellooo, my name is Joseph Lopez. My family is from Guatemala, but I grew up in Richmond, CA. I am a third-year civil engineering student at SFSU. I enjoy reading fiction, running, and building structures and sculptures out of popsicle sticks. I love watching Star Wars and Ghibli movies. I previously served as an RP Campus Network Leader and am now a member of the RP Scholar Board. I’m honestly really excited to be part of the team and to be in a position where I can provide feedback to an organization committed to aiding underserved students of all backgrounds.

Nolberth Calderon, UC Merced

Hello, my name is Nolberth Calderon. I am currently a second-year student at the University of California, Merced, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Business Economics. I was born in Guatemala and came to the United States at the age of 9 years old. I am excited to be part of the Scholar Advisory Board and I am committed to making a positive impact for our generation.

Harpreet Kaur Chhina, University of Southern California

Hello, I’m Harpreet Kaur Chhina, a first-generation student at the University of Southern California (USC), where I’m a rising junior majoring in Economics. I am deeply passionate about equal education and empowering youth, which fuels my commitment to RP. After an enriching experience as a Summer Associate, I’m excited to continue contributing to the team as a Student Advisory Board member. Beyond my academic and professional pursuits, I find joy in relaxing by the beach, discovering new cafes, and immersing myself in music that inspires me.

Johan Garcia, Contra Costa College

Hey everyone! My name is Johan Garcia, and I am a third-year student at Contra Costa College studying Electrical Engineering. Originally I was born in San Francisco but grew up in Richmond, and I graduated from De Anza High School back in 2022. My goal is to finally transfer to a four-year university by Fall 2025. My educational journey hasn’t been easy; growing up, I never really knew what I wanted to do in life, which made my first year at community college difficult because for the first time in my life, I lacked direction. During this time, I explored various majors to see what interested me, and eventually, I fell in love with robotics and engineering. I am excited and thankful for the opportunity to join the Richmond Promise Scholar Advisory Board and as a new member of the Advisory Board, my goals are to support and inspire other students in our community by sharing my experiences and helping them navigate their own educational journeys. I also want to advocate for and be a voice for community college students, particularly those in STEM or who are undecided about their majors.

America Leon, Contra Costa College

My name is America Leon. I am in my second year at Contra Costa College, majoring in philosophy on a pre-law track. Emphasizing the importance of written communication to ignite societal change and as a mechanism for keeping people informed about critical issues, I currently work as a community health reporter and journalist for a Bay Area news outlet called The CC Pulse. As part of the Richmond Promise Scholar Advisory Board, I am excited to help expand educational equity in my community, ensuring all students have the resources to succeed academically and achieve their career ambitions.

Martin Leung, UCLA

Hello! My name is Martin Leung and I am an incoming sophomore at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) majoring in mechanical engineering. I am currently a lead undergraduate researcher for the UCLA Physics & Astronomy Department, working on drone autonomy and motion planning. I also work within the UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships Department as a peer advisor, attending to questions and requests regarding federal grants, loan assistance, and scholarships. Additionally, I am a member of UCLA Rocket Project and UCLA Wrestling, placing 2nd in the 2024 NCWA California State Tournament for the 149 lbs division. I am currently on track to graduate this upcoming Spring 2025 quarter and am looking forward to entering the industry representing Richmond!

Esther Nguyen, UC Davis

Hello! My name is Esther Le Nguyen and I am a 3rd-Year at UC Davis majoring in Managerial Economics. At UC Davis, I’m involved with Davis Women in Business, a student organization that strives to empower and guide women of all backgrounds. I’m excited to be on the Scholar Advisory Board to serve my community in Richmond. Outside of that, my interests include reading, listening to music, and watching cooking videos.

Ryen-Amirah Reed, Howard University

Ryen-Amirah Reed is currently a junior at the esteemed Howard University in Washington, D.C., pursuing dual B.A. degrees in Political Science and Criminology, with aspirations of becoming a Juvenile Defense Attorney. Committed to reforming the Criminal Justice System, she believes that focusing on the younger generation is key to driving swift and impactful change. Having lived on both coasts, Ryen has enriched her academic experience through involvement in extracurricular activities in both Richmond and D.C. This past summer, she gained valuable insights during her internship with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, where she conducted research under the guidance of criminologists from the University of Cincinnati. During her time as a Richmond Promise Board member, Ryen hopes to spread the importance of and provide more information about HBCUs to the Richmond Community.

Sabine Rodriguez, UC Berkeley

Hello, my name is Sabine Rodriguez and I am a first-generation Mexican American student from Richmond, CA. I am a sophomore at UC Berkeley intending to major in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis on Cell Biology, Development, and Physiology. I strive to diversify the medical field, break the language barrier, promote health equity, and inspire the marginalized community of Richmond that I have grown up in. As a member of the Richmond Promise Scholar Advisory Board, I plan to be a resource and advocate for students to voice their opinions and encourage engagement from our community. I am eager to work alongside the other members to empower the students in our community by ensuring any and all needs are met.

Yeison Samayoa, UC Santa Cruz

Hey y’all, my name is Yeison. I currently attend the University of California, Santa Cruz. I am currently an incoming third year working towards a B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology. In my free time, I like to play soccer, take photos with my camera, and vibing. I am currently working in the Haussler-Salama research laboratory at UCSC under Kristof Tigyi. I work with stem cells and am specifically working on comparing the transcriptomic information of both the primed and naive stem cell states. In the future, I would like to pursue a Ph.D in Cell Biology. Being part of the Scholar Advisory Board, I hope to help Richmond Promise grow and progress as they have helped and supported me throughout my undergraduate career.