Scholar Advisory Board

The Scholar Advisory Board helps ensure Richmond Promise’s policy and programming are informed and furthered by Richmond Promise Scholars themselves. The Scholar Advisory Board meets once a quarter with RP’s College Access Team and provides a Scholar perspective that helps guide future programs and support services offered to RP Scholars.

Ammar Iqbal, UC Davis

Hello, I’m Ammar! I graduated from UC Davis in 2023, with a BS in Human Development and a minor in Public Health. Currently, I am in my gap year preparing to apply to PA school. My goal as a member of Richmond Promise Scholar board is to propose ideas to better engage the Richmond youth in conversations about pursuing higher education. 

Havah Aisha Isray, UC Berkeley

My name is Havah Aisha Isray, and I am a Black and Filipina freshman student attending UC Berkeley. I plan on majoring in Public Health because I aspire to help transition our extractive community that is based on profit and pollution toward a healthy and sustainable community that improves the quality of life for everyone. My hobbies include hiking in forests, napping in bed, trying new foods, and listening to music. During my time as a member of the Richmond Promise Scholar Board, I aspire to help uplift marginalized and disadvantaged students in my community by ensuring they have a chance to achieve academic and career success.

Marc Anthony Lopez, Fresno State University

Marc Anthony Lopez is a 25-year-old Fresno State alum who majored in Mass Communication and Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast and Multiplatform Journalism. Marc grew up watching his local news in Richmond, Calif. every morning and night where he fell in love with storytelling. Marc currently works for the Central Valley’s No. 1 News Station, ABC30 Action News, as the weekend Digital Producer. As one of the first recipients of the Richmond Promise Scholarship, he has seen the program grow from its first year of existence in 2016 to now. Being a voice in the Richmond Promise Scholar Board allows Marc to share his collegiate experience and advocate for community college/ transfer students. Outside of work, Marc loves to unwind by cooking, playing video games or watching movies with his fiancé.

Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia, UCLA

Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia is currently pursuing a double B.A. in Global Studies and Public Affairs from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as a Regents Scholar with minors in Central American Studies and Environmental Systems and Society. At UCLA, Jonathan serves as the third General Representative for the Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC), focusing on expanding resources and opportunities for all students. Additionally, he serves as the Managing Editor for La Gente Newsmagazine and the Co-Treasurer for Grupo Folklorico de UCLA. Jonathan is a first-generation college student that proudly identifies with his Guatemalan and Richmond roots and his passions focus on providing resources for the Latinx community, especially Central Americans. He aspires to be an international/immigration lawyer to advocate for Latinx communities domestically and internationally.

Maria Montejano, Contra Costa College

Hola, mi nombre es María Montejano, me gradué de high school en el año 2021 y tuve el privilegio de estar entre los mejores 10 estudiantes de mi escuela. Me gradué con honores de John F. Kennedy High School. Ahora estoy en mi primer año de colegio. Estoy muy emocionada de poder ser parte de Richmond Promise, y poder seguir ayudando a los estudiantes de colegio para que tengan éxito durante su camino hacia su universidad.

Ricky Rivas, UC Berkeley

Hello, my name is Ricardo Rivas, but I prefer to go by Ricky! I am a current senior at UC Berkeley, a Richmond Promise Scholar, and part of the Richmond Promise Scholar Board. I was born in Mexico and at the young age of 3 migrated to the Bay Area. I lived in San Francisco for a few years, then moved to Richmond. Now I’m just working towards becoming a lawyer, helping to create equal access to education for undocumented students and aiding in the fight for access to a journey towards citizenship.

Ryan Saechao, University of Southern California

Hi everyone! My name is Ryan Saechao and I am so excited to be a member of the Richmond Promise Scholar Board. I graduated from Richmond High School in 2020 and now I am a 4th year transfer at the University of Southern California (USC) majoring in Communication. I love trying new foods, cooking, hikes, discovering new places, and most importantly being around friends and family. I’ve always had a strong motivation to give back to my community and communities like Richmond. I believe in investing in our youth and education to break these cycles that continue to disproportionately affect communities like Richmond, so I can’t wait to support and be a part of the growth of Richmond Promise.

Megan Nicole Sanchez, UC San Diego

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ Member 🏳️‍🌈
🤎 Latinx Advocate 🤎
♿️ Disability Awareness Enthusiast ♿️

As a dedicated Scholar Advisory Board member, I am proud to serve as a passionate advocate for diverse communities. My journey as a Latinx individual and a member of the LGBTQ+ community has taught me strengths I didn’t know I had. Alongside these identities, I am deeply committed to promoting inclusivity and equality for individuals with disabilities, as I have one myself called Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. Through tough challenges I remain persistent because of my Salvadorian single mother to whom I dedicate my life’s work to. Without the empowerment of my community (mentors, friends, strangers) I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Thank you.