Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement

GE Mentors are sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Lewis & Clark College who are here to assist and serve the incoming students in the Class of 2022. With particular focus on first generation and students of color, GE mentors are a resource for first year students who can authentically speak from their own perspectives as students on campus.

Mentors are paired with incoming students based on academic and social interests, and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming space for students. Mentors will attend the Great Expectations Retreat with mentees, and then continue building relationships through the entire academic year. 

The * next to a mentor’s name means they are proudly the first in their family to attend college.

 

Eduardo Beltran*

Pronouns: He/Him
Year: Sophomore
Major: Sociology/Anthropology, minor in Ethnic Studies
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Involved With On/Off Campus: Gente Latina Unida, ASLC diversity committee, committee on diversity and inclusion, acapella

Advice for Incoming Students: The transition into your freshman year of college can be hectic, nerve-wracking, and complex. Be sure to set aside some time for yourself so that you can decompress and relax. Don’t worry if it takes you a bit to get into the swing of things! Also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Forging new relationships can seem like a daunting task, but just remember that everyone on campus was once in your shoes and is incredibly understanding.

 

  

Huitzil Bennett Perez

Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Sophomore
Major: Rhetoric & Media Studies, Latin American Studies, and Dance
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Involved With On/Off Campus: I work with AES on campus and love helping teach ESL. I also dance in Dance X and Y. I am involved with GLU and want to learn more about other Indigenous students on campus! 

Advice for Incoming Students: Don’t be afraid to go sit with a complete group of strangers during a meal time! That’s what I did during NSO and now find myself surrounded by some pretty wonderful people. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and don’t forget to stick to your roots and traditions.

 

  

Ariel Blemur

Pronouns: He/Him
Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology, minor in Neuroscience
Hometown: Hayward, CA

Involved With On/Off Campus: IME, Football, RA

Advice for Incoming Students: No 8 am classes. You will regret it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew Brown

Pronouns: He/Him
Year: Sophomore, Transfer Student
Major: International Affairs
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Involved With On/Off Campus: Basketball team, RA for campus living

Advice for Incoming Students: College is where you make your life-long friends, so be ready to meet some amazing people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monai (Momo) Chanon

Pronouns: He/Him
Year: Sophomore
Major: Environmental Studies
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand & Santa Clarita, CA

Involved With On/Off Campus: I volunteer at Operation Nightwatch. I am apart of cycling club. I have attended a number of ASU events. However, I hope to get more involved next semester.

Advice for Incoming Students: Transitioning into college is scary and difficult (especially as POC). Try to relax, be your amazing self, and I promise you’ll find incredible friends, rewarding opportunities, and a sense of belonging.

 

 

 

 

Immanuel Harice

Pronouns: He/Him
Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology, minor in Ethnic Studies
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Involved With On/Off Campus: I work in Admissions as an assistant. I am a co-president of BSU. I am a member of CSRC and the Diversity Committee.

Advice for Incoming Students: Make sure to become friends with as many people at NSO as possible. You will not get into every friend group, but you want to have options.

 

 

 

 

Sania Karir

Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Senior
Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dance
Hometown: San Ramon, CA

Involved With On/Off Campus: Lewis & Clark Dance Company Co-President, Barry S. Levin Transplant Department Summer Scholar at CPMC, SQRC Tutor, Music (Vocal) Scholarship Recipient, Doctors for Doctors Scholarship Recipient, Asian Student Union Member

Advice for Incoming Students: Take advantage of going to a small school! Make connections with your professors by going to office hours and asking questions. You’d be surprised how fulfilling and enriching these connections can be to your college experience! Joining clubs you are interested in is a great way to make new friends in a communal setting. Lastly, don’t forget to have fun and relax; freshman year is a great time to explore all of your interests and see what you want to pursue throughout college.

 

 

 

Malina Kobayashi*

Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Sophomore
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Waikoloa, HI

Involved With On/Off Campus: RA, Hawaii Club, Japan Club

Advice for Incoming Students: Recognize and acknowledge your strengths, weaknesses and everything in between! You’re going to be okay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ariely Mejia*

Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Sophomore
Major: Currently undeclared, but looking at Rhetoric & Media Studies with an Asian Studies minor
Hometown: Houston, TX

Involved With On/Off Campus: Race Monologues, Intramural Volleyball, Intramural work, GLU member

Advice for Incoming Students: Try new things that you wouldn’t think you would do! You might love it, you might hate it, but at least you tried it out. Also don’t be afraid to ask for help, literally your professors, IME staff, and any other organization on campus are all here to help you.  

 

 

 

 

Sabrina Murray

Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Junior
Major: Sociology/Anthropology, English double major, minor in Ethnic Studies
Hometown: University Place, WA

Involved With On/Off Campus: Founder and president of Adoptee club, Asian student union, leader in Mixed LC, work for Student Admissions, On the Women’s swim team, and a facilitator for the new United Front initiative (Student lead organization)

Advice for Incoming Students: Don’t be afraid of making new friends and trying things you’ve never done before. Everyone here is friendly and there are so many unique people that you can meet on this campus. Take advantage of all the resources on this campus, they are there to help you, and if you need help accessing them, don’t be afraid to ask someone.

 

 

 

Lis San Emeterio

Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology, minor in Neuroscience
Hometown: Originally from Santiago de Cuba, Cuba and now Phoenix, AZ

Involved With On/Off Campus: I am in A Capella, Random Acts of Kindness, Cuba Club. I am a Peer Career Advisor at the Career Center. I am part of IME and GE.

Advice for Incoming Students: Find your people, focus on finding yourself and what you are truly passionate about, and most importantly: have fun.

 

 

 

 

 

Saheli Singh*

Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Sophomore
Major: Biology, minor in Neuroscience
Hometown: Pomona, CA

Involved With On/Off Campus: Rogers Summer Program, A Capella, GLU, intramural basketball, Bon worker, Todd Watson’s research lab

Advice for Incoming Students: One thing I would definitely recommend and wish I had done is to go out and hang out with friends more instead of just hiding out in my room. Definitely go downtown and explore Portland on the weekends and get a feel for the environment and culture!

 

 

 

 

Asia Wooten

Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Senior
Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hometown: Eugene, OR

Involved With On/Off Campus: On campus, I participate in behavioral genetics research with Prof. Norma Velazquez, I am a member and former co-president of the Black Student Union, member of the Pre-health Professionals Club and the Food Pantry Club. I’m also very involved in the music department as a pianist. Off campus, I am a mentor in the Portland Rose Network, I teach piano, and am a volunteer at CARES NW Clinic for abused children.

Advice for Incoming Students:

1) Seek out all of the free resources on campus (Writing Center, SQRC, Saab tutoring, Career Center, Health Center, Student Support Services, etc) and don’t be afraid to use them frequently!

2) Ask questions in class because I guarantee you someone else will have the exact same question. Also go to office hours and get to know your professors. Establishing those connections early can really enrich your college experience and make class fun!

3) Stay well rounded! Don’t lose touch with the hobbies and interests you had before going to college because they can be your most significant outlets when you’re feeling stressed.

4) Lastly, try to pay it forward before you graduate by making a new student feel welcome and supported :)