COMPACT MENTOR PROGRAM
*Effective March 16, 2020 all mentoring will be done virtually until otherwise notified.
What can mentoring do for you?
- Enhance the transition to college
- Learn how to access campus resources
- Find connection & community at SDSU
- Stay in the loop with the Compact Program
- Establish and meet academic and personal goals
- Practice problem-solving strategies
- And SO much more!
About the Program
Our Compact Academic Mentor Program is required for freshman Compact Scholars enrolled
in certain Commuter Student Success Pathways, and is also open to all Compact freshmen.
Students will be placed with a 2nd to 4th year undergraduate Compact Scholar for the fall semester with the option of continuing the program during the spring
semester.
Meet the Mentors
Brian Arlantico
More about Brian
Brian graduated from Olympian High School in 2017. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s
degree in Computer Science and hopes to either work in the field of cyber security
or data science after graduating. His favorite quote is from Kobe “The most important
thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want
to do.”
Gabriela Castellanos
More about Gaby
Gaby graduated from San Ysidro High School in 2018 and was previously a Chemistry
major but is now currently majoring in Social Work. After graduation, she plans to
get her master's in Social Work and pursue a career as a Medical Social Worker or
in Child Protective Services. Her hobbies include singing, playing the ukulele, makeup,
binge watching shows, spending time with friends and family, and playing PUBG. Her
favorite quote is "life is like a swing, but my swing keeps going up, never down."
Natalia graduated from Southwest High School in 2018 and majors in Spanish. Upon graduation
from SDSU, she plans to get both a teaching credential and a translation certificate.
Natalia aspires to work as an interpreter for a few years and then begin teaching
in high school or college. Her hobbies include playing drums, reading, playing soccer,
learning new languages and martial arts. Natalia's favorite quote is, "It is not true
that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they
stop pursuing dreams."
Jean Christie Go
More about Jean
Jean graduated from Olympian High School in 2019 and is currently experiencing her
second year in SDSU. She majors in Statistics with an emphasis in Actuarial Science.
She plans to take the Society of Actuaries certification exams and pursue internships
during her college years so that she will be on track for a permanent position as
an Actuary after graduation. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with
her friends, drawing digital art, and playing video games, tabletop roleplaying games,
and pool. Her favorite quote comes from a very special author in her life, which reads:
"Don't stay in the harbour and miss the greatness of the sea. Just because everyone
else is anchored, doesn't mean you have to be" - Joyce Rachelle.
Amy graduated from Bonita Vista High School in 2019. She is currently majoring in
Business Management and plans on opening a restaurant in the future. Her mom is an
amazing cook with many recipes to share, and Amy hopes that many people will be able
to experience them one day. Amy's hobbies include cooking new dishes and occasionally
watching Criminal Minds on the weekends. Her favorite quote is “If you're not a part
of the solution, you're a part of the problem”. To her, this quote means for people
to take action and make positive contributions to the world.
Siena is a first-generation college student as well as a commuter. She graduated from
Otay Ranch High School in 2018. Siena majors is Applied Mathematics and is thinking
about minoring in Economics. After graduation, Siena plans on pursuing a career and
travelling. Her hobbies include calligraphy, drawing in her sketchbook, listening
to music, playing video games, and reading. She recently just started to get into
exercising. Her favorite quote is from a Japanese comic called Hajime no Ippo. "Run
until you can't run anymore, and then run again. Constant effort is life's greatest
shortcut."
Gabriela graduated from Olympian High School in 2016. She is majoring in kinesiology
pre-physical therapy. Once graduated, she plans to attend graduate school to become
either a Prosthetic Practitioner or a Doctor of Physical Therapy. In her free time,
Gabriela enjoys dancing, hiking, and being around friends and family. A quote she
loves is, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while,
you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller
Rafael graduated from Southwest High School in 2018. He majors in English BA Liberal
Studies and minors in Creative Writing. He hopes to become a high fantasy author in
the near future. Rafael enjoys playing video games, reading fantasy books and watching
Formula 1. His favorite quote comes from the Roman poet Persius, “He who conquers,
endures.”
Kimberly Romero graduated from Eastlake High School in 2019. She is majoring in International
Business with an emphasis in Germany and Western Europe and plans to receive an Associate
of Science degree with Professional Aeronautics at San Diego Miramar College. Once
she graduates she plans to attend flight school and accumulate flight hours in order
to pursue her career as a commercial pilot. In her free time, she enjoys spending
time with family, swimming, exercising, and watching Disney, especially in German
-- she has memorized the whole Sleeping Beauty song in German by heart. Her favorite
quote comes from Winnie the Pooh, "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than
you seem, and smarter than you think."
Eugene is a graduate from Olympian High School and is currently a second year kinesiology
major with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy. In the future, he plans on earning
his doctorate in physical therapy to serve those affected by injuries sustained in
the performing arts setting. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends
and family, going on spontaneous adventures and discovering new places, or staying
at home to sleep in and binge watch shows and movies. Eugene's favorite quote comes
from Muhammad Ali, "If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then
I can achieve it."
Valerie graduated from Eastlake High School in 2018. She is majoring in Interdisciplinary
Studies with a focus on Biology, Kinesiology, Hospitality and Tourism Management.
After graduation, Valerie hopes to stay at SDSU and attain a Masters in Business Administration.
Her hobbies include swimming, playing piano, and baking. A quote she stands by is
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The Important thing is not
to stop questioning." - Albert Einstein.
Diva graduated from Eastlake High School in 2018. She is currently majoring in Biology
with a minor in Italian Studies. After she graduates, she plans on entering the field
of optometry in hopes to become a Doctor of Optometry (OD) in the future. Her favorite
quote is "Anything is possible if you have the courage to make it happen" - Rick Hansen
Participation
The Compact Academic Mentor Program is flexible and built to serve the needs of busy
students. All it requires is the student to agree on a weekly meeting day and time
with their mentor for a 30 minute session. Are you a Compact freshman at SDSU that
would like to participate in our mentor program?
Testimonials
"Being a member of the Compact Academic Mentor Program is definitely something I suggest
to incoming freshmen. I feel a lot more comfortable and knowledgeable about SDSU’s
campus and the resources available for students."
"Great experience to see the campus and be a part of this program! It’s comforting
to have a meeting every week and know whenever I have a question I have someone to
ask and have a safe place to go to, such as the Compact Scholars office."
"I had a fun experience! My mentor was really nice and helpful!"
"My mentor was great at helping me through my roadblocks. I was able to understand
what I must do for my major and get to know the campus."
"I am really grateful to have had the opportunity to have a Compact mentor to help
me transition into college and feel more connected to SDSU."
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