Meet Our Near-Peer Ambassadors: Karla Zermeno Gonzalez
During the 2023-24 school year, the Richmond Promise College Access Team will be joined in its work by Near-Peer Ambassadors. These members of our team are current RP Scholars who assist in the execution of in-classroom programming in local high schools. We are pleased to introduce you to one of our 2023-24 Ambassadors, Karla.
Q: First, some basic info. Tell us your name, current school, high school you graduated from and your major (or intended field of study).
A: Hi everyone! My name is Karla Zermeno Gonzalez. I am an El Cerrito High School alumni, I graduated in 2022. I am currently a second-year student at San Jose State University and I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about being a RP Near-Peer Ambassador and what are you hoping to get from the experience?
A: I am beyond excited to give back to my community through this internship, as I’ll work closely with Richmond Scholars at Kennedy High School during the 2023-2024 school year. I hope to successfully guide students as they begin or continue their paths to higher education through providing access and additional support for applying to college, searching for scholarships, financial aid opportunities, career growth exploration programs, internships, and answering any questions about college life 1-on-1.
Q: If you were going to give advice to a high school senior about going through the college application process, what would it be?
A: If I could give any advice to high school seniors right now, I would say be kind to yourself. When college decisions roll around, it can be easy to compare your acceptances and rejections to those around you and can lead one to feel incapable or less of. It’s important to remember that all of your hard work has been worth it and that you’ll be successful no matter what school you’ll end at. You’ve got this!
Q: What’s the best part about being in college/what should a high school senior look forward to?
A: The best part about being in college is the people you meet during your time there. The movies were not lying about meeting your best friends in college. I have been so lucky to have met such hard-working, kind, and motivated people. I haven’t known them for long but they have forever changed my life. The community you surround yourself with will really make your college experience just that more enjoyable.
Q: What are you most looking forward to after college?
A: After college, I am looking forward to continuing to grow my career and hopefully work at a company in Silicon Valley after college where I am exercising my marketing degree. I am very excited to meet you all! Best of luck.
