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, Yanelit.

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: My name is Yanelit Madriz Zarate, I graduated from Richmond High School in 2017 and I am currently a community college transfer student at UC Berkeley majoring in Sociology.

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: As a Richmond Promise Near-Peer Ambassador, I’m looking forward to providing guidance to students with the college application process as well as sharing my own lived experiences as a college transfer student! I’m really excited to know the students and I hope to gain better insight on how to best serve students from West Contra Costa.

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: For high school students going through the college application process, make sure to dedicate and set time in your schedule each week to work on the application step by step. Reach out to counselors, utilize your resources, and remember that you are worthy and capable of being at a college/university. Don’t compare yourself to others — this is your journey and yours only!

Q: What’s the best part about being in college/what should a high school senior look forward to?

A: The best part of being in college is being able to create my own schedule and explore my interests both in and out of class, whether it’s through research opportunities, projects, campus organizations, or internships.

Q: What are you most looking forward to after college?

A: After college, I’m looking forward to celebrating! I will be the first in my family to graduate from a four-year university so I am looking forward to celebrating my accomplishment with family and friends as well as taking time to reflect on my journey before starting my graduate school application process.