Undergraduate Advising: Peer Mentors

Sandra Bonilla

Hello, I am Sandra Bonilla. I came to UCSC as a freshman from San Jose. Currently, I am a junior pursuing a computer engineering degree focusing in the networking concentration.

When I was younger and got my first computer, I slowly started discovering that I had a fascination for computers, both the software and the hardware. Once I went to high school, I had a conversation with one of my professors about my future career plans. When he knew I wanted to do something with computers, he recommended that I take a Cisco networking class he would start teaching the following year. I followed his advice and ended up taking two Cisco networking courses before graduating, since I enjoyed it so much. This cleared up my question of whether to study computer engineering as my career or not.

When I started college, I had some knowledge on networking but no knowledge on programming, therefore struggled a little at the beginning. When I learned how and where to get help, I started to enjoy my classes much more. By the end of my sophomore year I got an internship for the summer, and worked on programming for almost three months. This helped me in many ways. I got to see the actual environment of a real job as well as giving me more knowledge for my programming future programming classes at UCSC. This summer internship showed me that no matter how hard it may be to get a degree in engineering, anyone who wants to can accomplish it and it will be well worth it in the end.

In my free time, I try to help students that want help, or have asked me for help. I try to provide them useful information from the knowledge I have. If I am not able to help a student, I help them do research on where they can be provided with the information they need.

Eduardo Hernandez

Hello, my name is Eduardo Hernandez and I am currently majoring in Information Systems Management (ISM). I was born in Mexico, but grew up in Fresno, California. I am a Residential Advisor at College 9, a Student Ambassador and a Peer Mentor for the Jack Baskin School of Engineering. I am a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and Information Systems Management Association (ISMA) and I’m glad to have the opportunity be involved with these wonderful organizations. During my free time I like to play on my Nintendo Wii with my friends even though they always seem to beat me. My small piece of advice for all of you is to get INVOLVED here at UCSC! The Jack Baskin School of Engineering offers many opportunities that can help you reach your goals.

Stephanie Jones

I'm a 4th year Computer Science major and the president of the UCSC chapter of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. I will be returning to UCSC in Fall '07 to start working on my Master's in Computer Science. During the winter months I love to go up to Lake Tahoe to snowboard. The rest of the year I enjoy playing video game and programming. I'm always willing to help so feel free to stop me if you have a question!

Edgar Montes

Hello my name is Edgar Montes I am a 22 year old ISM major originally from Los Angeles, California. I am currently finishing up my undergraduate course work and hope to be working in industry soon. I enjoy helping others especially with problems I have encountered in the past. On my free time I enjoy spending time for my friends and watching sports. I also enjoy taking care of the multiple aquariums my housemates and I have. My advice to everyone is to try and get an internship.

Tina Nguyen

I am in my 2nd year at UCSC as an Electrical Engineer affiliated with Merrill College. Coming from Los Angeles, I made a new home for myself at UCSC where I enjoy the beautiful landscape, the smells of my surroundings, the people, and the challenges that UCSC offers me. Besides enjoying my new home, I enjoy any activity that someone throws at me and any talk of food with eating food afterwards. I like doing puzzles and playing level 20 in Dr. Mario for fun on Super Nintendo to see how far I can get. In addition, I love watching squirrels, playing various types of games and sports, and dancing spontaneously. I look forward to learning and helping others around me.

Laura Stelzner

I am a second year computer engineering student from the San Francisco Bay Area. I am a member of Society of Women Engineers (SWE). On the rare occasions that I have free time I enjoy reading, drawing and playing Frisbee. I am a big fan of House MD, The Office and The Muppets. I even made my own Muppet inspired puppet when I took Muppet Magic. I’m looking forward to meeting and helping fellow engineering students.

Courtney Terry

I'm originally from the east Bay Area (Martinez, Concord, and Clayton are all homes to me). I'm a 4th year Cowell student studying electrical engineering with a minor in computer engineering. Other than that, I like to go dancing and do other such nerdy things as play video games, listen to rave music, and play DDR/ITG. I work summer and winter orientations with the admissions office, and tutor multiple SoE classes. I also co-founded the Bemani Club with 3 other friends with the SOAR office, and help out with/participate in multiple events at SoE with SWE, IEEE, SHPE, MEP, and so on.