Peer Mentors

Meet the High Potential Program's Peer Mentors!
A Peer Mentor is an undergraduate student who serves as an ally and advocate to HP students. Peer Mentors provide guidance and resources to support HP students. They play a key role in facilitating the development of skills and learning strategies to enhance student academic and personal success by serving as official college representatives, exhibiting the values and culture of the SMC campus community.
They create an environment of mutual respect for others, including respect for individual values and beliefs, a sense of belonging and unity, and as an advocate for social justice, community inclusion, and cultural awareness. Peer Mentors work collaboratively alongside HP staff and faculty to determine and implement appropriate levels of intervention with each student. They serve as key facilitators and contributors to the planning, execution, and evaluation of SAILS, HP FYAC, and the HP programming.
Remember - You belng here!

Alexis Gutierrez Acosta, Lead Peer Mentor
Fourth-Year, Accounting

Nuvia Alvarez
Fourth-Year, Clinical +Counseling Psychology
Hi! My name is Nuvia Alvarez. I am a first-generation student and peer mentor from Oakland, California. I am a psychology major with a clinical/counseling focus and a minor in sociology. I am excited to build community and support other first-gen students!
Antonio Ponce
Fourth-Year, Business Administration
I’m from San Martin, CA. I’m a big Warriors and Niners fan, and I love boxing. A quote I live by is, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”— Ferris Bueller

Ayz Gómez
Fourth-Year, Spanish and Psychology
Hi, my name is Ayz. I'm from San José and I'm a senior studying Psychology and Spanish. My favorite show is "Anne with an E" and my favorite book is Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. A quote I like is "sometimes you can discover the secrets of the universe in someone's hand."

Wilberth Castaneda Cervera
Second-year, History
Hello, my name is Wilberth Castaneda Cervera. I’m a second-year student majoring in history with a minor in public history. I enjoy going for walks and hikes, and my favorite sports to watch are boxing and MMA.

Mitchell Larrieta Angeles
Second-Year, Business/Marketing Entrepreneurship
Hello! My name is Mitchell and I’m a Finance major from Oakland, California. I love running, hiking, cooking, eating, trying out different foods, and spending time with friends and family! A quote that I really like is: “No human is limited.”

Franchesca Ria Mariano
Second-Year, Nursing
Hi hi! I’m a second year at SMC and I’m from Pittsburg, CA. I love music, gaming, and spending time with my friends and family. A quote I really like is, “What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” - Erin Hanson
Contact Us
High Potential Program
1928 St. Mary's Road
Filippi Academic Hall 190
Moraga, CA 94575-3260
925.631.4835
hp@stmarys-ca.edu