Peer Mentors

Bao

Salutations! My name is Bao, and many of my peers call me BaoWow. I am a third year student majoring in Biology with a French minor. This is my first year as a mentor and I am ecstatic to be a part of this program since I love meeting new people. On campus I am involved with Alternative Spring Break (ASB), Friday Night Live (FNL), Asians American Students in Alliance (AASIA) and Alpha Phi Omega (APO) service fraternity. With that being said, do not hesitate to ask about these organizations if you are interested! Besides long walks on the beach, I enjoy doing volunteer works, traveling, shopping, swimming and chillin’ like a villain. I am stoked to meet y’all real soon!

Buyana

I’m Buyana and I’m a second year student.  I’m majoring in chemical engineering and minoring in history and economics.  I love reading, running, yoga and exploring.  My favorite sports team (really the only team I follow) is the Bulls, but I love watching and playing all sorts of sports with my friends.  I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone this year!

Connie

Hi everyone! My name is Connie, and I am a junior at UIC with a major in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. I am a transfer student, so this is my second year at UIC. I love meeting new people and am involved with WAVES, a health workshop organization for UIC students. I speak Mandarin Chinese, Sichuan Chinese, Spanish and am learning Arabic! I am an extremely quirky, whimsical and creative person who will bring sparkles and glitter to your life! I enjoy eating, so naturally I also dig creating stuff to eat, which is cooking. I am also really into nature, since I was a natural-born hippie on Earth Day. (But I am a moderate hippie.)  I enjoy doing crazy things, so let me know if you are totally UP or DOWN for crazy things! :D

Darian

Hey YOU! My name is Darian, but I also go by Phuoc (good luck trying to pronounce it), whichever one is fine with me. I’m a senior majoring in Applied Psychology with a minor in Biology. I’m currently involved in student organizations like the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), Japanese Audio Visual Cultural Association (JAVCA), and Asian American Coalition Committee (AACC). I love drawing, video games, movies/TV series (both American and Asian), and sports (huge football fan and a cheesehead). Thanks for reading and hopefully I’ll see you around.

Deepali

Hi everyone! I am Deepali, a senior at UIC pursuing a double degree in Biology and Psychology and minor in Kinesiology. I’m a first year mentor; my motivation for being a mentor is to spread guidance and optimism. Inspired by Toy Story, I strongly believe people are made to walk together and I hope "You just remember what your old pal (deePALi) said. Boy, you've got a friend(mentor) in me. Yeah, you've got a friend(mentor) in me." I am mainly involved in UIC One World, but have been involved in a bunch of other clubs so ask me how to get involved; 'cus there's always something to do at UIC! I love doing research (clinical and lab at UIC), which was my main motivation for attending UIC. If I'm not at Daley library studying, peer room chatting, studio teaching/choreographing dance, computer lab youtubing, DD (dunkin donuts) eating, in lecture learning,  then you can find me at the rec center or lsd (lake shore drive) running! I'm a Chicago sports junky-Da Bulls, Da Bears, Da Cubs, & Da Blackhawks! I love exploring the city, so I hope to meet each and everyone one of you and share the things I love in chi-town and hope you can create your things to love list in Chicago!

Donnie

Hello, everyone! My name is Donnie and this will be my second year here at UIC, but fourth year in college overall. I'm currently a biology major (but that may change) with a minor in Asian American Studies. Currently, on campus, I am involved in AASIA (Asian American Students in Alliance). If you'd like more information about it, please feel free to ask me! Some of my hobbies include shopping, watching movies (action and comedy!), and eating/baking sweets. Oh yeah, random fact: I LOVE Hello Kitty! I'm pretty easy to talk to so don't hesitate to come up to me and say Hi! I can't wait to meet everyone!

Duc

Hajimemashite! My name is Duc, no not pronounced like duck =p, but more like “Duke.” I’m a senior majoring in biochemistry with ambitions to become a doctor. My interests include: making lists of my interests, playing basketball, racquetball, and ultimate Frisbee, eating, sleeping, learning Japanese, and other fun stuff. I would like to think that I’ve explored most of the campus so if you’re up for a tour or something of the sort let’s do it! I’ve had a lot of different experiences here at UIC that I’m really hoping to share with you one day, so please ask. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you! See you in the fall!

Francisco

Hello, my name is Francisco (or Franky), and I’m really excited to be a peer mentor this year! I’m an incoming sophomore at UIC. I went to high school at Walter Payton College Prep – one of Chicago’s leading public high schools. In the fall of 2010, I started my first semester at UIC – and I absolutely loved it. I’m an active brother of Kappa Pi Beta Fraternity, Inc – an Asian American interest fraternity on campus, as well as an executive board member of the Asian American Students in Alliance. So basically, I’m pretty involved on campus >.< I’m a pretty chill guy and I look forward to meeting everyone soon!

Henna

Heyy! My name is Henna...like the tattoo or dye, whichever. I’m a second year student majoring in psych and aiming for a career in Optometry [eye doc]. I’m also minoring in Asian American Studies [yay!]. Aside from the studious Henna…I LOVE SPORTS! The basics like basketball, football, and hockey are a given, but I also love NASCAR and BMX. I also enjoy the world of DIY [Do-It-Yourself] when designing/creating clothes or accessories.  My self-made White Sox bag is my prized possession.This is my first year as a peer mentor. I was an AAMP mentee last year and it was a great experience. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you guys and being able to help you adjust to UIC life.

Imran

I'm currently in my second year at UIC and I'm thinking about a major in Philosophy/Math. I enjoy eating out, meeting new people and taking long walks down Halsted. I hope I can help any incoming students adjust to our school and I look forward to meeting you all!

James

Hi, my name is James. I am in my second year here at UIC, pursuing a dual degree in Finance and Biochemistry. I like to work hard and then proceed to be extremely lazy and have a good time. Some hobbies of mine include playing video games, gardening, and playing poker. I’m also secretly a huge fan of the popular anime shows Bleach and Naruto. Being a part of the Asian-American Mentor Program for the first time is very exciting for me. I look forward to a great semester with everyone!

Kevin

Hi everyone. My name is Kevin and I am a senior majoring in math education. This is my first time being a mentor and so I hope that we can a great year together. I am involved with a lot of different Asian American organization so if you had any questions about any organization, don’t be afraid to ask me. Some of my interests include video games, working out, playing sports, going out with friends, and just keeping busy in general. I am a very nice and chill person, and I look forward to meeting everyone in the fall!

Kim

Hello! My name is Kim, and I'm a junior enrolled in the Photography program in the College of Art/Architecture. I'm also PRO for Asian American Students in Alliance, Secretary for the Asian American Coalition Committee, & an "Ate" in Filipinos in Alliance, so you'll probably find me at a lot of Asian American events :). I'm all about frolicking around Chicago, so if you ever feel like venturing out let me know! FYI- i quite enjoy Molly's Cupcakes. Can't wait to meet all of you!!

Kinjal

Hey! My name is Kinjal and this is my second year at UIC. Even though I haven't yet declared a major, my goal is attend law school in D.C. when I graduate from UIC (I’m itching to get a job at the White House). I enjoy volunteering at home and around campus, as shown in my involvement in ASB. I absolutely love watching sports and game shows (Wipeout!), and I’m a sucker for celebrity gossip. But what I ultimately love is getting to meet new people, so let’s make this a great year!

Kristine

Hello! My name is Kristine. I'm a currently a Senior majoring in Biochemistry/Pre-Pharmacy and hoping to minor in Asian Studies. (I plan on switching my major to Neuroscience or Psychology soon because I'm not really a chemistry person...) This is my first year as a mentor in AAMP, and I'm really looking forward to it! I love drawing and playing video games when I get the chance. You may also find me playing pool at the pool hall between classes - also something I like to do when I have time. So if you're up to it, I am open to "accepting new challenges" (I'm actually not very good, I only started playing when I came to UIC, haha). I play the violin and piano and I enjoy playing sports, even though I'm not very good at them.  I'm also a fan of anime and manga, and I love watching Asian dramas and comedies. I also enjoy exploring different places around the city and eating out. I float around different student organizations such as Asian Americans in Alliance (AASIA). I like meeting new people, and am looking forward to meeting all of you ^_^. 

Phillip

I am a Biochemistry major intending to get into a research field. My hobbies include biking, chess, basketball, and traveling. I always believe that becoming a mentor was meant to give students and transfer student someone to relate and understand.  Being a mentor was to show a sense of direction here at UIC and give a helping hand.

Richard

Hey Everyone, Call me Ricky. I'm a second year student majoring in biochemistry with a minor in Kinesiology.  If your wondering I'm a mutt, half Chinese and a mix of European countries. I'm a passionate tennis player, however, I am getting rusty since I haven't been playing as often as I would like to. I love the Chicago bulls and wished I watched Michael Jordan play in his prime, but I’ll settle for Derrick Rose. Best of luck to all incoming freshmen and watch out for the freshmen 15.

Shefali

Welcome everyone to the University of Illinois at Chicago!! I am very excited to meet all of you this year and spend time helping you get further acquainted with this wonderful university and all that is has to offer. My interests go off in many different directions, but for school I am currently focusing on Biology and want to pursue medicine as my career.  This university presents a lot of different opportunities and I can’t wait to help each of you figure out which one best interests you.  I am a fun, energetic, persistent, ambitious, and hard working person who really loves enjoying life to the fullest! With any help you need, find me and I’ll find you, because after all that’s what I’m here for! We’re going to have a great year and can’t wait for it to get started!!

Sunay

Hey all!!! My name is Sunay and I’m a senior at UIC. I’ve been there for about 2 years now and will be finishing up my degree in Neuroscience this coming fall. This will be my first time mentoring and I’m so AAMPED to get started! I am a huge sports fanatic especially football and I love cars. I am a pretty outgoing person and love meeting new people. I’m hoping to make your transition go very smoothly and get you accustomed to the campus as well as nearby places. So, LETS GOO!!!!

Tito

Ciao y'all! My name is Tito (no, it's not short for anything and yes, I know it means uncle in Tagalog). I'm a senior double majoring in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Asian American Studies! After graduation, I hope to pursue Social Work and work closely with youth. I was involved in AAMP as a mentee during my freshman year and as a result have been involved with various organizations on campus like Asian American Coalition Committee and Psi Chi, so I can definitely get you connected on campus! I love reading, writing, taking pictures, dancing and modeling in student-run productions, and volunteering in the community. I also love traveling, I studied abroad in Italy last summer! I can't wait to meet everyone and help get you started on your UIC experience!

Wendy

Hi everyone! My name is Wendy and I'm a second year majoring in biology and sociology (very different but captures my diverse interests). On the surface level, I'm a GPPA medicine student who will eventually be trusted with lives (kind of scary!). However, much more lies beneath the surface: I'm a fun-loving nerd (not an oxymoron!) who loves shopping, playing tennis, watching basketball, exploring the city, and interpreting art that I probably don't understand. In addition to AAMP, I'm involved in Undergraduate Student Government, cancer research, Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Asian Americans, a variety of Honors College publications, and an exciting initiative on campus called Intergroup Dialogue. Feel free to talk to me about anything at all!!! 

Winona

HI!!!! I’m Winona, and I’m in my last semester majoring in Marketing and minoring in International Business. I really love to dance, watch dramas online, sing (sometimes), sing ktv/karaoke (all the time!!), swim, play ping pong, and shop. I’ve been very active in the Asian American community on campus in the past, so if you have any questions about resources or student organizations you can join, I’ll try my best to help you out. I’m usually energetic and silly when you first get to know me, but I’m actually a very normal person...I think. I look forward to meeting you all! Get ready to have lots of fun in AAMP! 

Yeji

Hello Hello! My name is Yeji (pronounced as yeh-gi or wedgie the Yeji works fine too). I’m a biology major and I’m not sure what to say about myself in words but what I can tell you is that I LOVE to eat and LOVE to be adventurous. If you do too, then we’ll get along! Can’t wait to meet you all and hope we can have a great year!