GEM Mentors consist of sophomores, juniors, and seniors at L&C who are here to guide new BIPOC/first-generation students throughout their first year.
Mentors are paired with incoming students based on their preferences as outlined in the GEM Application. All Mentors are trained and committed to creating a safe and welcoming space for their Mentees.
If a Mentor displays an asterisk after their name, it means they are a First-Generation college student, meaning neither of their parents earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher in the United States.
Meet Your 2023-24 GEM Mentors:
Arianna Almaguer*
Pronouns: she/her Year: 3rd Year Major: World Languages Minor: N/A Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
*First-Generation College Student!
Advice for Incoming Students: A big piece of advice Lewis and Clark students I’d share is to push yourself out of your comfort zone and have confidence. It’s hard to embrace your identity where it could be.
Jadzia Beard
Pronouns: she/her Year: 2nd Year Major: Studio Art Minor: N/A Hometown: Salem, OR
Advice for Incoming Students: College can be hard, especially in your first year you might encounter a lot of change and temporary friendships. remember everything has a lifespan, keep going and don’t stop where it’s hard
Idalyne Giron Castillo*
Pronouns: she/her Year: 2nd Year Major: Exploring, potentially psychology Minor: Exploring, considering Neuroscience Hometown: Salem, OR
*First Generation Student
Advice for Incoming Students: Get involved on campus. There are so many opportunities to discover new interests, meet new people, and get out of your comfort zone.
Vasty Jean-Francois*
Pronouns: he/him Year: 3rd Year Major: International Affairs and Environmental Studies Minor: N/A
Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Delmas, Haiti
*First Generation Student
Advice for Incoming Students: Try to attend the events happening around the campus whenever possible, as these spaces offer a lot of opportunities to explore and connect with a diverse range of people.
Azucena Morales Santos*
Pronouns: she/her Year: 4th Year Major: Hispanic Studies & Sociology and Anthropology Minor: Ethnic Studies or possibly Latin American and Latino Studies Hometown: Hillsboro, Oregon *First-Generation College Student!
Advice for Incoming Students: Show love and care to yourself. You may find yourself having days where your own your own throughout the day going to one class to another or going back to your dorm right after class and that’s okay! Sometimes we need those type of days. I encourage you to be brave and ask someone you genuinely want to know whether they have time in their day to hang out! Friendships take effort to foster. Also, join student union groups, you’ll meet inspiring, incredible, funny people. Don’t be afraid to ask its highly likely that others are struggling to. Completing homework is important but so are you and your wellbeing. So try to take breaks like going out for a walk, watch a Netflix show, gotta restore that energy.
Christianah Olufade
Pronouns: any Year: 2nd Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Minor: Ethnic Studies Hometown: Washington D.C.
Advice for Incoming Students: Say hi to everyone. Vibe with the vibes that vibe with you.
Mary Prentice
Pronouns: she/her Year: 3rd Year Major: Psychology Minor: Entrepreneurship and Leadership and Innovation Hometown: Yakima, Washington
Advice for Incoming Students: Try something new and put yourself out there! You get the chance to meet new people and try new things. Everyone is in the same boat and want’s to get to know you too! Get connected!
Bella Stuhlmann
Pronouns: she/her Year: 4th Year Major: Math and Computer Science Minor: Physics Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada *First-Generation College Student!
Advice for Incoming Students: Reach out if you need help! There are people and groups that can help so many situations.
Iman Tolola*
Pronouns: she/her Year: 3rd Year Major: Psychology Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada *First-Generation College Student!
Advice for Incoming Students: Be willing to try new things and take things day by day!
Diego Varela Ruiz
Pronouns: he/him Year: 4th Year Major: Classics Minor: N/A Hometown: Mexico City
Advice for Incoming Students: Go to office hours, ask your professors for feedback/editing on essays (or outlines) before turning them in, organize study groups and give yourself breaks! A good night sleep can help more than an all-nighter before a test. Also, don’t be afraid to try new stuff! Go to campus events and try out at least a club that may sound interesting. You might foster hobbies that you have or find a new niche! You will get meet/befriend so many people - it is a small campus after all.
Cole Whitaker
Pronouns: he/him Year: 3rd Year Major: English (creative writing) Minor: Exploring Hometown: Long Beach CA & Reno NV
Advice for Incoming Students: Ask as many questions as you can think of, almost any concern you have somebody on campus is ready to help you solve. From mental health struggles to financial rough patches, there’s a way
Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement is located in room 324 of Templeton Campus Center on the Undergraduate Campus. MSC: 126
