Photo taken by: Angelica Alcazar
School Representative
Peer Mentor
After completing a three-term research program called Innovation Scholars, I was given the opportunity to become a peer mentor for the next cohort. In this role, I help students curate and enhance their digital ePortfolios, guiding them in how to effectively showcase their research and personal growth. As part of my new role, I also co-created a podcast called Otterly Curious (get it? because our mascot is an Otter, haha) where I am currently recording a podcast. The podcast provides a platform for our undergraduate researchers to share their research projects, insights, and experiences with a broader audience. You can listen to Otterly Curious episodes on my blog!
Below are conferences I attended as a peer mentor
Community Education Initiative (CEI) Leadership and Learning Academy (2025)
Delivered a curated keynote on the UROC Innovation Scholars program and my research journey. Participated in educator-focused sessions aimed at integrating emerging Apple technologies and AI tools into academic curricula. During this experience I learned how to make a podcast, what AI machine learning is and how to use it, as well as how to use Garageband.
My keynote!
HSI Research Collaboration Conference (2025)
From the conference, I learned how HSI partnerships collectively serve students, faculty, communities, and the workforce through research. I gained insight into funding opportunities from federal and private agencies and learned a great deal from conversations about different partnership projects. Also contributed to a colleagues presentation about how UROC serves the CSUMB community.
