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Ana
UCLA
she/her
Ana is a second-year Neuroscience major at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on the pre-vet track. She aspires to become a veterinary neurologist to improve the health of animals and make basic veterinary care accessible to underserved communities. At UCLA, Ana serves as a Bruin Corps tutor, Outreach Coordinator for Maná (a Latino Catholic Group), and an undergraduate research assistant in the Phelps Lab, where she studies the nervous system.
Ana first became involved with CAP during her junior year of high school, when she participated in the College 101 Course for Juniors. She later joined CAP’s College Champions program, where she received personalized support on her college application over the summer and went on to mentor other seniors through theirs during the after-school drop-in program. This experience not only allowed her to feel confident as a first-generation college applicant but also helped her discover her passion for mentorship. As a member of the Alumni Council, Ana is eager to share her first-year college experience and offer resources and support to help students navigate their own college journey.
Andrea
Occidental College
she/her
Andrea graduated from Pasadena High School in 2024 and is currently a sophomore at Occidental College, where she is double-majoring in Politics and Critical Theory & Social Justice (CTSJ). She is a first-generation college student who first became involved with CAP during her junior year of high school, participating in CAP’s drop-in hours and workshops, and later served as a student advisor through CAP’s College Champions Program.
Andrea believes programs like CAP are essential in providing ongoing support to students with limited access to resources that help them achieve their educational goals. Her firsthand experience with college access programs such as CAP has empowered her to continue her studies and pursue higher education. As a member of the Alumni Council, Andrea hopes to extend the same support she has received from CAP to other students in her community.
Duncan
Sonoma State University
he/him
Duncan graduated from John Muir High School in 2023 and is currently a junior at Sonoma State University, with plans to graduate in spring 2026. His engagement with CAP began when he was a junior in high school, participating in the college essay workshops CAP offers.
At Sonoma State, he is actively involved in campus life through his work with Campus Recreation as both an Operations Attendant and a member of the Outreach Team. Duncan also serves as a Staff Reporter for the Sonoma State Star, covering campus news through strong reporting and interviews with students, faculty, the local mayor, and other community officials. Beyond campus, he interns with LandPaths, contributing to community-focused land stewardship by helping prepare the farm and assisting with harvest activities alongside other volunteers.
Duncan is passionate about community engagement, clear communication, and creating welcoming spaces—–whether through journalism, recreation, or service work. As he continues his academic and professional journey, he looks forward to using his experience to support others navigating college life and to contribute positively to the communities he’s part of.
Makenna
Pasadena City College
any pronouns
Makenna graduated from Pasadena High School in 2024 and is currently a sophomore at Pasadena City College (PCC) studying Molecular Biology. At PCC, Makenna is the treasurer of the Chemistry Club and is currently involved in biology research at Caltech.
As a first-generation college student, Makenna first joined CAP in junior year of high school to get support with her college applications, and has since served as a College Champion and Financial Aid Advocate for CAP. Makenna is incredibly grateful for the help CAP and IHC have given her through her college journey and hopes to offer her peers the same support.
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Melanie
UCLA
she/her
Melanie graduated from Thurgood Marshall in 2024 and is currently a sophomore at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), majoring in Human Biology and Society. As an aspiring pre-health student, Melanie is a part of the Learning Assistant (LA) program at UCLA, a program designed to make STEM content more accessible with students who have previously taken the course. Melanie is assigned to assist in the LS7B course, a course about Genetics, Evolution, and Ecology. She assists in discussion sections and problem solving sessions by answering any questions regarding the content or the worksheets students may have.
Melanie’s journey with CAP began in middle school through CAP’s Middle School Program. During her junior and senior years of high school, she would often attend the after school drop-in hours for assistance in reviewing her essays and look for opportunities outside of school. As a member of CAP’s Alumni Council, Melanie is eager to be of service to an organization she deeply admires and to offer support, guidance, and advice to other students who are pursuing higher education.
Samuel
Pasadena City College
he/him
Samuel graduated from Marshall Fundamental in 2024. He is currently in his second year at Pasadena City College (PCC), majoring in Communications and earning a certificate in Construction Welding, with plans to transfer to UC Santa Barbara. He’s serving as a member of the Puente Board at PCC, where he enjoys being involved in the campus community. He values hard work and hands-on learning, and he hopes to build a career that blends communication, creativity, and leadership. Outside of school, he enjoys baseball, photography, hiking, and listening to country music, especially Jon Pardi and Braxton Keith.
Zoë
Tulane University
she/her
Zoë graduated from Pasadena High School in 2024 and is currently attending Tulane University on a Posse Foundation Scholarship. She is a student in the Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment, majoring in Design with a double minor in Entrepreneurship and Strategy, Leadership & Analytics (SLAM). At Tulane, Zoë has been actively involved in the Tulane Fashion Club, served as a TIDES Peer Mentor, and engaged in several competitive, team-based initiatives. She competed in the 2025 National Diversity Case Competition and participated in the Tulane Pitch Competition. These experiences have strengthened her interest in innovation at the intersection of fashion and business. Zoë aspires to launch her own luxury clothing brand and is working toward this goal through her design studies, study abroad opportunities, and hands-on experiences offered by Tulane.
Zoë’s journey with CAP began during her junior year of high school through the CAP College Workshop. Through this program, she connected with inspiring mentors who helped shape her path. One of her mentors, Silkea, nominated her for the Posse Foundation Scholarship—an opportunity that significantly impacted her academic journey. Zoë is deeply grateful for CAP’s continued support and looks forward to giving back by contributing to the Alumni Council.
