For my last fall semester at UC, I decided I wanted to take on a leadership role that would award me the chance to give back. The University Honors Program was a place where I found home at UC; how wonderful would it be that I had the opportunity to share that with incoming students! Throughout the summer and the first 6 weeks of the Fall 2025-2026 semester, I trained with my fellow UHP Welcome Event Mentors on how to assume our roles and make the next group of UHP students at UC feel welcomed. Our training led to the Welcome Event day (shown below), where mentors and students alike engaged in introductory activities, Q&A's, and community building events before the school year began. I got to meet my small group of students whom I would work with more closely for the first half of the semester.

Throughout the weeks as the semester began, I held fun events for my small group and provided them a small outlet from the stress of starting college. I found it enriching to be able to talk with them about their experiences so far and how I could help them in any way. This experience was one of a kind, and I found that I really enjoy leading and mentoring!

UHP Welcome Event Mentor (Fall 2025)

What I Learned & How I Was Impacted

This experience showed me how important cultivating community is to success. It starts with building it brick by brick, and I could not have done it without the help of our very own mentor, Jose Jacobo. His enthusiasm and determination to serve and support UHP students was imbued through to us student mentors. To incoming students, particularly my small group, I felt excited to share what UHP could provide and how this program was full of passionate individuals driven by the willingness to help others. I also felt empowered by knowing that I, too, had help whenever I needed. The system of support throughout UHP is what inspired and encouraged me to be part of that as well. Since this was one of my first opportunities at UC in a leadership position, I learned much about how to organize events, communicate with mentees, and public speaking. I built my own confidence with each small group event and the reminder that I was a reliable resource for students who may need help. I know starting out on my own here at UC, I felt alone and lost. That was until I found solace in the UHP and the community that was vibrant here. I'm satisfied that I could provide that same feelings to others and look forward to future leadership roles I take on!