Transition Mentors
STARRS Transition Mentor Program
The 2024-2025 Transition Mentorship Program Leadership Team
The Transition Mentorship Program (TMP as we call it for short) consists of 4 Transition Mentors, 1 Lead Transition Mentor, and a cohort of 121-150 mentees at any given time each quarter. Transition Mentors are current transfer students who provide a high level of support through one on one mentorship, from the time you are admitted, through the summer, and throughout your first year at UCSC. As STARS student staff members they are thoroughly trained to answer questions, refer you to appropriate resources, and assist with financial planning, navigating the campus, acclimating to the quarter system, balancing family responsibilities, and connecting with the campus community.
The benefits of being a part of the TMP community are:
- Having an open line of communication with a peer who can offer academic and personal support.
- Getting personalized recommendations to events, workshops, work/internship opportunities.
- Knowing you're a part of a community that cares for your wellness, growth, and aspirations.
Please visit our webpage for access to the interest form.
Email starpeer@ucsc.edu for more information.
TMP Coordinator
Email: jparramo@ucsc.edu
Hola! My name is Jessica Parra Moya and I am thrilled to serve as the TMP Program Coordinator. I am originally from Autlán, Jalisco, México and moved to the United States in 2005. I am a DACAmented Undocumented Immigrant. I lived in the San Bernardino County area until 2016 when I transferred to UCSC from San Bernardino Valley Community College. I graduated UCSC in 2019 with a double major in Literature and Feminist Studies and a minor in Legal Studies. As a student at UCSC, I held several internships, one being the peer advisor position at STARRS before it became the Transition Mentor Program. My main focus is access to higher education for underserved and at-promised communities. It is something I have worked hard for as a student and now as a staff member at UCSC. I began my professional journey at UCSC as the Student Life Assistant for Rachel Carson College in 2019 until May of 2022. I then transferred to another department at UCSC to work as the College Scholars Program Coordinator. Now, I am here!
My passion for access to education is what brings me to this line of work at STARRS. I want to make sure transfer students from all walks of life have the support they need to succeed in their Higher Education journeys. As a former transfer student myself who benefited from STARRS and supported STARRS as a STARRS peer advisor, I know the impact this unit has on our students and the potential for growth there is, which is what drew me to the position.
Lead Transition Program Mentor
Email: starsm6@ucsc.edu
Hi! My name is Marina Hernandez and I am very excited to be this year's Lead Transition Mentor! I am from a small town named Porterville, California. I am proud to be a first-generation, Mexican, part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a transfer student here at UCSC! I am an Intensive Psychology major and want to become a child psychologist, specializing in diagnosing children with Autism! I want to become a positive individual in your transition into a 4-year, while also being a listening ear, and supporting you all throughout the challenges you encounter. I transferred from Porterville College and know the struggles of transitioning from a semester system into a quarter system, being a full time student and working, while trying to maintain a social life.
When I first transferred to UCSC, I was scared, I was moving far from home where I didn’t know anyone, but the STARS program relieved me by showing me there was nothing to be worried about and I found such an amazing community at STARS and UCSC. Which made me want to continue on with making transfer students feel welcomed and to allow the transition process to be facilitated. You guys deserve to be here! So much hard work and you got accepted to this school! I cannot wait to see all of you flourish, to work with you, and become your mentor.
Sincerely,
Marina Hernandez
Transition Mentor
Email: starsm9@ucsc.edu
Barev! My name is Anaché and I’m from Los Angeles, specifically the San Fernando Valley. I’m a first generation Iranian-Armenian who has been raised by strong women. I graduated with my A.A. from Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA and I’m now pursuing a B.A. in Environmental Studies. As my country and people go through a genocide in Artsakh and Armenia, the preservation of land is something very near and dear to my heart. In my career, I hope to advocate for indigenous people’s rights to their land and resources worldwide.
I was so excited to transfer from my community college to UCSC, I wanted to hit the ground running. I have joined the board for Armenian Students Association and become heavily involved in the Iranian Student Union and the SWANA (South-West Asian and North African) Coalition. Through my time at UCSC, I have found a community of open-minded individuals who remind me why I chose this wonderful university. As a transfer student, I know the adjustment to university life can be overwhelming but hey, you’ve gotten this far! Santa Cruz is such a beautiful place, there’s something for everyone. I’m so excited to help you on this journey and find your special corner of UCSC.
See you soon,
Anaché
Transition Mentor
Email: starsm10@ucsc.edu
Hello! My name is Cherre Bull and I am delighted to be serving as your Transition Mentor at STARS. I am a native Californian from San Diego. I graduated from San Diego Community College in 2021 with an Associate degree in Political Science and I am currently pursuing a B.A. in Politics here at UCSC. Some of the many identities that I hold include being a Student Parent, a Transfer and Re-Entry student, and a first-generation student. However, the identity that I feel most connected to is advocate. My goal and passion are to identify barriers for students and individuals from diverse backgrounds and create bridges within higher education while striving to create an inclusive and equitable environment for all students.
Some hobbies that I enjoy are hanging out at the beach, pool, or up in the trails around Merrill College on Campus. One thing that has helped me with my transition from Community College to University Life is to be gentle with myself, cause things can move fast and can feel overwhelming but I try to remind myself every day that I am here for a reason. When I first got on campus I didn’t know anyone and I was away from family and friends back in San Diego, but STARS helped me find a community of like minded people that I call my friends and I hope I can help do the same.
Can’t wait to meet ya!
Cherre Bull
Transition Mentor
Email: Starsm7@ucsc.edu
Hi y’all! My name is Katherine Hernandez, and I am from San Jose, California, so I am a big Sharks fan! I am a first-generation Mexican-American, a transfer student at UCSC! My major is Politics but am interested in majoring in Latin America Politics and I aspire to become an Immigration attorney. I love to uplift and support fellow transfer students throughout their journeys, while also seeing the glass half full, focusing on the positive.
I worked as a union lead intern dedicated to student prosperity and justice, I am passionate about advocating for equal opportunity, better economic conditions and student rights. I value and believe in the power of student led unions and organizations. Many times the issues we face seem giant but when we all commit ourselves to change, we can make mountains move together.
As a transfer student from De Anza college, I faced and overcame the challenges of financial barriers, time management, while also balancing my mental health. I learned the incredible value of having the courage to believe in yourself. Being kind to yourself and others. I am affiliated with Porter College, and am a Pister scholar at UCSC. I am passionate about community building and creating spaces for people to connect and find belonging. As a STARS transition mentor, I look forward to meeting new friends and seeing you all thrive!
Best,
Katherine Hernandez
Transition Mentor
Email: starsm8@ucsc.edu
Wassup yall! My name is Cameron De Jesus and I'm from the best city in the world, sunny San Diego, California. I am a first-generation African-American transfer student at UCSC. My major is Politics but I am interested in majoring in Business Management Economics and I aspire to take over my family's business or dive into the world of International Hospitality . I am a big sports guy and have a long history of gaming, virtual or physical. I love to guide and support fellow colleagues and students throughout their journeys, while making everyone around me smile and laugh through jokes and silly TikTok dances.
I worked as a Manager at the Homewood Suites by Hilton and played 4 years of Varsity Basketball, so I am very familiar with working with groups. I place great importance in working as a team and making sure everyone is a key factor in getting the job done. Your as strong as your weakest link has always been a phrase I believe in and with it I learned that everyone's needs should be valued and treated equally as everyone else.
Jessica Parra Moya (she/her/hers)
Marina Hernandez (she/they)
Anaché Varteressian (She/Her)
Cherre Bull (she/her)
Katherine Hernandez (She/Her)
Cameron De Jesus (He/Him)
Student Resources
- STARRS Student Budget
Financial tool to help assist you with creating a personal budget, with your income and expenses. Evalute how much money you have each quarter by reviewing your Financial Aid, income earned, family contrubutions, as well as quarterly bills and overall expenses. - Academic Support Resources
There are a number of resources available at UCSC to support you in succeeding. Be proactive in seeking help when you need it, and remember that there are many people at UCSC who want to see you do well. - STARRS Counselors
STARRS staff embrace and develop connections and cooperative relationships with colleagues and community partners to create a meaningful and personalized network of support for our students.
