Meet the Peer Advocates
Arianna
Major(s)/Emphasis/Minor: Political Science, Concentration in Comparative Politics
Activities: Miller Scholar, Latine Pre-Law Society, Prytanean Women’s Honor Society
Post-Graduate Plans: I want to attend law school and advocate for immigrant rights
Hi everyone! My name is Arianna Aguilar, and I am a first-generation Latina transfer student from De Anza College. I was born and raised in San Jose, California, and also lived in Jalisco, Mexico, during my middle school and high school years. At Berkeley, I have participated in the Miller Scholars where I have had the opportunity to participate in research on Latine Housing Instability. Growing up in a mixed-status family, I have always had a passion for pursuing justice for my community, and it is why I plan to become an immigration attorney. During my free time, I enjoy reading, going on walks, and anything related to arts and crafts. I previously worked at the Undocumented Student Resource Center in my CC (and loved it!), and I love working with students, so please feel free to reach out with any questions!
Ashley
Major(s)/Emphasis/Minor: Sociology, Chicanx Latinx Studies
Activities: Member of Puente & Frontera, nature walks, adventures, traveling
Post-Graduate Plans: I plan to attend graduate school for public policy and work with a nonprofit organization, or possibly pursue a career in law
Hello everyone! My name is Ashley Jasmine Cervantes, and I’m a first-generation Latina and low-income transfer student from Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, California. I transferred to UC Berkeley in Fall 2024, majoring in Sociology and minoring in Chicanx Latinx Studies. I’m deeply passionate about social justice and immigration, which inspired my academic path.
I’ve lived in the Bay Area my whole life, so feel free to ask me any questions about the area! In my free time, I love going on adventures and exploring new places. I’m definitely a foodie and always on the lookout for new restaurants to try. I also enjoy traveling, learning about different cultures, and spending quality time with my family.
I look forward to supporting you on your journey here at Cal and helping you build a strong sense of community and connection. I’m always happy to help, so feel free to reach out with any questions or if you simply want to connect!
Jerry
Major(s)/Emphasis/Minor: English
Activities: Stand-Up Comedy Club, former BUILD Mentor
Post-Graduate Plans: Attend law school with the goal of becoming a federal judge for the state of California
Hey everyone! My name is Gerardo Cedillo, and I’m a first-generation transfer student from Cypress College who grew up in Paramount, California. I’m majoring in English here at UC Berkeley and currently serve as one of your TRIO SSS Peer Advocates. My love for language and storytelling has shaped much of my journey, from writing and performing stand-up comedy to mentoring young student through the Berkeley United in Literacy Development (BUILD) program.
Outside of academics, I enjoy writing new stand-up material, working out, going to the beach, and reading. I also enjoy listening to Latin artists, but I’m always open to new music recommendations. I currently speak three languages and hope to add a couple more soon. Besides my parents, one of my biggest inspirations is Muhammad Ali, not only for his greatness in the ring, but for how he transcended his career to become a symbol of conviction and purpose. I hope to follow a similar path, using law as a way to create impact beyond the courtroom.
I’m excited to be part of the TRIO SSS team and look forward to supporting you all throughout your time at Cal. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever want to talk about classes, life, share music, or workshop new stand-up material!
Kim
Major(s)/Emphasis/Minor: Bioengineering
Activities: Engineering Mentor Program (EMP) mentor, BioEHS (consulting committee)
Post-Graduate Plans: PhD or MD/PhD in robotics and medical devices field
Hi everyone! My name is Kim Duong, and I’m a first-generation immigrant from Vietnam and a transfer student from Evergreen Valley College. I’m majoring in Bioengineering here at UC Berkeley, pursuing the Berkeley Certificate in Design Innovation, and currently serving as one of your TRIO SSS Peer Advocates. After transferring to Berkeley, I discovered my passion for robotics. I love designing and building robots in my free time. It has become one of my favorite hobbies, and I usually build one or two small robots each month based on my mood or new ideas I want to try. I also love mentoring and connecting with people, which led me to become a GBO Leader and an EMP Mentor this year. Guiding new students and helping them feel at home at Cal is something I truly enjoy.
Outside of academics, I’m an outdoors enthusiast who loves staying active and exploring new places. I love hiking, rock climbing, running, and ice skating. I enjoy activities that help me stay grounded and balanced. I also have a passion for languages and cultures. I speak Vietnamese, Teochew, and Mandarin, and I know a bit of ASL. I’m hoping to learn Spanish in the next few years so I can communicate with even more people and explore more parts of the world.
I’m really excited to be part of the TRIO SSS team and to support you all throughout your journey at Cal. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever want to chat about classes, life, or travel - I’d love to connect!