What is a Peer Mentor?
Peer Mentors are OCC student leaders who support, challenge, and inspire! They recognize the needs of their peers and can offer support, provide information about on-campus resources, and keep you up to date with engagement opportunities across campus. They are also passionate about building community and helping their peers succeed. Peer Mentors host weekly Drop-In Hours, at least one event per month, provide 1:1 mentoring, and much more!
Mentors can:
- Help you set goals
- Introduce you to new time management & study tips
- Support you in navigating your first year in college
- Answer questions and direct you to on-campus resources
- Provide insight on what it looks like to a successful student at Orange Coast College!
Emily Cao (She/Her/Hers)
Major: Psychobiology with a minor in English
Why did you decide to become a peer mentor?
I became a Peer Mentor because I have benefited in many ways from Student Equity and the OCC Pirates' Promise Program. I would like to see even more people flourish from these opportunities! As a former mentee, I have always intended to give back in some way, the same way this program has aided me at the start of my college experience. Now, I want to step up and make an impact and connect with a community larger than myself!
Something you do for self-care!
I read and write in my gratitude journal to take care of myself. Another creative outlet is painting pottery. I have also found yoga helpful and soothing for my mind and body!
Favorite TV show: Sex Education
Favorite famous figure: Beabadoobee
Priscilla Tso (She/Her/They/Them)
Major(s): Early childhood education & Kinesiology.
Why did you decide to become a peer mentor?
I started as a Student Assistant in our Student Equity office, it was inspiring to see the connecting between our past Peer Mentors and students. I am big on creating a space for students when they come into our events. Being a Peer Mentor, I am able to connect and help other students to succeed in college, especially sharing different self-care tips in my drop-in hours!
Hobbies & interests:
I enjoy cooking, traveling, being in nature and playing board games. When I am being physically active, I enjoy yoga, swimming & rock climbing. Last but not least, I LOVE FOOD.
Other languages spoken: Cantonese and some Mandarin
Favorite Famous Figure:
Yoshi from Super Mario
Favorite Dessert:
Ube ice cream & NY Cheesecake
Maia Pham (She/Her/Hers)
Major: Civil and Mechanical Engineering
Why did you decide to become a peer mentor?
As a first generation college student, I entered college without any knowledge on the opportunities I had before me. Through encouragement and assistance from the Student Equity program, I was able to not only discover my potential as a student but also thrived. As the community college experience is very dear to my heart, I want to be able to help other students on campus take advantage of all OCC offers.
Something you do for self-care:
To take care of myself, I like to either go shop, read a new book, rewatch Gilmore Girls, make art, or hang out with my friends.
Favorite Movie: Barbie
Favorite Famous Figure: Marie Antoinette
Isa Quitugua (They/Them/Theirs)
Major: Natural Sciences
Why did you decide to become a peer mentor?
I was met with a welcoming and friendly community my first year through Student Equity, and was presented with the opportunity to help make that atmosphere for incoming students through Peer Mentoring. It seemed like a great way to get involved on campus while also helping incoming students navigate their transition to the college experience.
Hobbies & interests:
My hobbies include art, sewing, Dungeons & Dragons, and jewelry making. I'm interested in cooking, learning about the human body, and art history! I also love live music and going to concerts.
Favorite Movie: The Birdcage
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Mihn Nguyen (He/Him/His)
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Why did you decide to become a peer mentor?
The Equity program at OCC made a significant impact on me during my first year. The support from the program and peer mentors was invaluable, helping me overcome challenges and anxieties of starting college. I'm grateful for their financial support and the welcoming environment they provided. This positive experience has inspired me to become a peer mentor myself to help replicate these experiences for others.
Something you do for self-care!
Whenever I'm stressed I often turn to music or take really long naps to recharge. I love sleeping.
Other Languages Spoken: Vietnamese
Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption or Goodwill Hunting
Favorite Famous Figure: Ryan Reynolds
Helena Tran (She/Her/Hers)
Major: Studio Arts & Architecture
Why did you decide to become a peer mentor?
I decided to become a Peer Mentor because when I was an incoming student here at OCC, I was completely lost with the entire college system in general. However I decided to schedule an appointment with a counselor less than two weeks before the semester started which gave me such a great understanding of the whole process. This helped encourage my journey here and I would like to be a guiding figure and aid those nervous/uninformed about OCC.
Hobbies & interests:
My interests include playing video games with my friends, listening to music, as well as designing.
Favorite TV Show: Adventure Time
Favorite Dessert: Brownies
Styx Serrano (He/Him/They/Them)
Major: Culinary & Baking
Why did you decide to become a peer mentor?
I decided to become a peer mentor to learn about other students experiences and share my own. I know I struggled a bit my first two semesters, but if I could help someone else struggle a little less I would be happy. I'm also a very out queer person and I want other LGBTQ+ students to have someone to talk to whether it be academic or life wise. I'm very excited about the next semester and hope to meet some new and returning students.
Something you do for self-care!
I love to take naps to mentally recharge. I've got a talent of being able to sleep anywhere. Whenever I can I also bury my face in my cats belly and just breathe. It's a great way to just reset.
Other languages spoken: Spanish
Favorite Movie: Howl's Moving Castle
Favorite Famous Figure: Pedro Pascal
Are you interested in becoming a peer mentor?
Peer Mentor Responsibilities
- Serve as a resource for new OCC students
- Serve as a positive role model
- Refer students to appropriate campus and/or community resources
- Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops to increase knowledge, awareness, and skills regarding equity and inclusion at Orange Coast College
- Work with program staff to develop workshops around topics pertinent to student success for OCC students
- Assist with data collection and file maintenance
- Participate in weekly staff meetings
- Meet regularly with staff advisor
- Clerical office support, such as answering phones, filing, sorting mail.
- Other duties as assigned
Recruitment
Recruitment will begin in April so be sure to come back and apply if you are interested in becoming a peer mentor!
Questions?
Contact us at studentequity.cccd.edu or call (714) 432-6847