Welcome Center’s Student Ambassador Program is designed to engage students in servant leadership within the essential area of the College’s outreach, recruitment and successful onboarding of new students.
Brian Santana: Area of Interest: Health and Wellness. Respiratory Care Major
Hello, I am Brian Santana and my area of interest is Health and Wellness. I am currently majoring in Respiratory Care. I graduated from Los Angeles High School and chose SMC because I wanted to try the college experience out. I heard SMC was a school that supports students to the best of their ability and I like that the campus is near the beach. I plan to get an Associate's Degree in the two year Respiratory Care program at SMC.
As an ambassador, I strive to help others. As a peer student, I know what it feels like to come to college for the first time and feel lost. At first, I was nervous about attending college and was debating about whether to go or not. However, people from the Welcome Center helped me and it gave me the confidence to attend college. I want to inspire others to attend college and guide them by answering any question they may have.
Chidi Njoku: Area of Interest: Health and Wellness, Kinesiology Major
Hi everyone, my name is Chidinma but you can call me Chidi. I am a first-year SMC student and I'm majoring in Kinesiology. I want to use my kinesiology knowledge to go towards physical therapy. I am the oldest child in my household and I love learning new and fun things. A few of my favorite things are sleeping, enjoying good food, and laughing. At first, I didn't know what I wanted to do after high school, but after I learned about SMC, it all changed. I wanted to go to SMC because there are many benefits when you go straight out of high school. My education goal is to finish at SMC with an Associate's of Arts degree and transfer to CSUN. I'm utilizing the counseling resources and talking with our amazing counselors to learn about the steps I need to take after CSUN. I wanted to be an ambassador to be a part of the process of helping students at SMC. When I was new to the college, I was helped by the staff to figure out my way to find my classrooms. As an ambassador, I love helping and talking with all of the students and potential students that I have met. I would advise new students to take a trip to walk around SMC to get to know the campus and look for your classes before the semester starts. I would also advise all students to not be afraid to ask for help. :)
Hippolyte Claveau: Area of Interest: Business, Business Major
The amazing programs and supporting community is what brought me to SMC. I wanted
to become an Ambassador because I wanted to show students that SMC is a place for
second chances and provides amazing resources and opportunities, along with a supportive
community behind them. Being a student ambassador opportunity is a way for me to develop
some leadership skills and to share my experiences with new prospective students.
After graduating from high school in France, I attended a charter school in Delaware
for 6 months. It was my first time in the US, and I was stoked. As much as I am experiencing,
I want to be able to give back to others. I am committed to completing both of my
Associates Degrees at SMC.
Ruth Ntumba: Area of Interest: Business, Business Administration Major
Hello, my name is Ruth Ntumba and I’m studying Business Administration at SMC. I became a student ambassador because I want to help people and give back to the community. I also want to learn and improve my leadership skills. This is my first year at Santa Monica College and I want to transfer to UCLA OR USC with an Associate’s degree.
I grew up around a-lot of family members that had businesses so that really pushed me towards studying business. I really want to advance my professionalism and leadership skills. I became a student ambassador to develop my own personal skills but also help my community and fellow students. I know how it feels to need help, but to feel hesitant to ask for help or find people to help you. My first year at Santa Monica College was the most stressful year of my life but with the help of my peers and some professors it ended well. After my second year at Santa Monica College, I would like to transfer with my associates degree to UCLA or USC.
Natalia Martinez: Area of Interest: People and Society, Communications Major
Hi everyone I’m Natalia, also known as,“Nattie.'' For those who don’t know me, I'm 21 years old and I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I have one older brother and both of my lovely parents are from my proud island home called Cuba. My lovely brother and I are full Cuban. One interesting fact about my family is that I have half cousins that are culturally diverse which makes me love them more. I’m really big on family time. I enjoy being outdoors to help my mental health. I went through a period of exploring to find my career path but decided on Communications. Hopefully something amazing will come out of studying communications and social media to continue healing and sharing a part of me with you guys.
Suri Tun: Area of Interest: Arts, Media, and Entertainment, Interaction Design Major
Hi! My name is Suri Tun, and I’m 17 years old. My dream careers are Product Designer,
Actress, and Photographer. I started attending SMC in the Fall 2023 semester after
graduating early from City Honors High School with a CHSPE (California High School
Proficiency Exam) diploma. I’ve just completed my first year at SMC.
I chose SMC because of its welcoming and safe community, filled with kind, supportive,
and passionate staff and students. The resources and opportunities at SMC are incredible
and provide different perspectives on pursuing my educational goals. SMC is #1 in
transfer rates in California, which gives me confidence in transferring to my dream
universities. As I enter my second year as an ambassador, I can say that this role
has allowed me to truly develop leadership skills, take on responsibilities, and make
incredible connections with my mentors and the SMC community. I aim to continue assisting
prospective and current students on campus by providing them with the resources they
need to feel safe, successful, and like they belong, because your presence matters
to us!
My advice for students is to never be afraid to ask for help when needed and to take advantage of every resource available on your passion journey. Make great connections. Explore and learn as many skills as you can.
Miran Ebrahim: Area of Interest: Arts, Media and Entertainment, Theater Arts Major
Hello, my name is Miran, and I'm currently in my first year at Santa Monica College pursuing the Associate in Arts in Theatre Arts program. I made the decision to transition to SMC to save money and explore my true passions and interests. My educational aspirations include transferring to UCLA or NYU to further my studies in theater. As a student who has felt lost in the past, I draw from my own experiences to assist other students with navigating their way through SMC. It's immensely rewarding to see someone's day brighten up through a simple interaction, and I aim to bring positivity and support to those who need it. SMC has proven to be an exceptional community college, filled with kind-hearted individuals and endless opportunities for personal growth. Some fun facts about me include that I hold a black belt in Taekwondo, I am from Egypt and I speak Arabic. These facts are reflective of my diverse background and interests.
To my fellow students, I want to extend a message of encouragement and camaraderie. Remember, it's okay to feel uncertain or lost at times. Embrace the journey, cherish the connections you make, and never hesitate to reach out for support. SMC is not just a stepping stone but a vibrant community where you can thrive and succeed. Let's make the most of our time here, together.
Tomas Acosta: Area of Interest: Business, Business Major
My name is Tomas Acosta. I am a Business Major and I am exploring my options for educational and career goals in Business. I was born in Venezuela and I’ve been through a lot of challenges on my way to SMC. Through hard work and dedication, I was able to identify my life goals, and all of my life challenges motivated me to continue learning. Learning English as a new language has not been easy, but thanks to my interests in getting to know others, I have been able to overcome my language barriers and finish high school. I like to play many sports but soccer is my favorite, since my Dad was a big soccer fan as a kid. I never miss a Barcelona game. I became interested in becoming a Student Ambassador at SMC, because I saw it as an opportunity to help people that are on a similar path as me. I want to help others reach their goals and have a successful college experience.
Bella Tsai: Area of Interest: Business, Business Major
Hello! My name is Bella Tsai. I’m a student and an ambassador in the Welcome Center at SMC. I’m majoring in business marketing, and planning on transfer to UCLA for business economics major. The reason why I chose to come to SMC is because of the high transfer rate, its location, and the diversity on campus. I’ve always had passion for helping others and love to interact with people, so being in the position of SMC ambassador is a great opportunity for me to fully express my passion of assisting people. Being in SMC makes me feel belonging and welcoming, therefore, I hope everyone who is in SMC or wants to be part of us can feel the same way. As an ambassador I’m here to support people as much as possible. PROUD TO BE SMC!
Martina Castiglia: Area of Interest: Business, Business Administration Major
Hi there! My name is Martina, and I was born and raised in Milan. I came to the US in my senior year of High School, and I haven't left ever since :) I have a strong interest in business and fashion, and I hope I can combine the two in my future career after graduating (hopefully) from USC.
As a student ambassador, I strive to give as much support as I can, especially to my fellow international students, because, trust me, I know how scary jumping from one country to another by yourself is. It took me sweat and tears to finally adapt to a new environment, and I want to make sure that future students coming from all over the world feel welcome, listened to, and supported at any time throughout their journey at SMC. Always proud to be SMC!!
Bella (Maria Amabella Ava): Area of Interest: STEM: Financial Actuarial Mathematics/ Data Science Major
Hi everyone! My name is Bella and I’m majoring in Financial Actuarial Mathematics/ Data Science at SMC. I’m a woman in STEM! I became a student ambassador because I know what it’s like to be completely clueless as a first-year student. During my first year, I had to learn how to enroll in a class, utilizing the resources here at SMC and to pick out my classes all by myself. Back then, I didn’t know that there was a team called the student ambassadors who could help me with all of that. Because I know how hard it is to adapt to a whole new environment in college, that is why I want to be a student ambassador. I want to help students to strive for success here at SMC.
Megan Meñez: Area of Interest: Health and Wellness, Nutritional Science Major
Hi, I am Megan Meñez, a second-year international student from the Philippines. I major in nutritional science, and I am planning to be a registered dietitian someday. I am a very spontaneous person. I decided to move to California and study at Santa Monica College without any good reason, but it was the best decision I have made in my life so far.
Studying at Santa Monica College has given me many opportunities and resources that help me to become a confident student leader. Being a student ambassador gave me the chance to connect students together with the college and contribute to the goal of making sure that every student feels that their presence matters. Working with other ambassadors inspires me to become a better leader, and it has been a great honor to be involved.
Esther Kim: Area of Interest: Culture, History and Languages, English Major
Hi, my name is Esther! I am a second-year student, hoping to transfer to a four-year university. SMC gave me a second chance. I didn’t get the best grades in high school, but I wanted to continue my academics and go to UCLA, so I came to SMC. I love it here! I want to help others in the Ambassadors program. I have a passion for leadership and helping others along with volunteer work. Let’s work hard together SMC!
Natalia Gutierrez: Area of Interest: Health and Wellness, Mortuary Science Major
Hello everyone, my name is Natalia, but you can call me Nat. I am a first gen Mexican American, and this is my second year at SMC, majoring in mortuary science, my area of interest is Health and Wellness. I am hoping to transfer by spring of 2025. I wanted to be an ambassador to help students with questions they might have about anything college related along with being a person that others can come to. I know how nerve wracking it is to ask people for help and how sometimes questions go unanswered, especially being first gen, it is nice to see people that look like you willing to help. I'm hoping that I can grow as a person and be a source of help for many students this upcoming year!
Jesse Somossy: Area of Interest: Business, and Art, Media, and Entertainment, Business Major
Hey, I'm Jesse and this is my second year at SMC. I am currently exploring my options in college as I am going to be a musician, actor and designer but I am still interested in taking college classes. I wanted to become an ambassador because I love working with people and I remember how lost I was during my first days at SMC. I am grateful for the opportunities this place has given me and I'm proud to represent the community that we have here at SMC. God above all.
Savanah Flowers: Area of Interest: People and Society, Psychology Major
Hi everyone! My name is Savanah Flowers, and I am a first-year ambassador. I'm going into my second year at SMC. I've grown up in Los Angeles but never knew how beautiful SMC was until I attended here. My passion lies within the field of psychology as I am on the journey into becoming a counseling psychologist on the doctoral level with a Psy.D. I am a part of a community who finds joy in other people's success no matter who they are or where they come from. This mindset has broken down mental barriers that held me back from reaching my full potential. Now, I'm here to help you all! My goal is to transfer to a UC with a preference for UCLA or UCB through faith that all things are attainable as long as I believe in the person that God is molding me into.
I was unsure of my career path until my therapist at the time recommended me to become a psychologist. As I still am human, I still wavered and ventured off which caused some bumps in the road but the thought of becoming one with myself to help people become one with themselves has always brought me back to my original goal. Through this I want to emphasize that nothing is linear, but as an ambassador I will try my best to make sure you have the smoothest sailing process possible. Proud to be...SMC!
Janeth De La Cruz: Area of Interest: People and Society, Sociology Major
Hi! My name is Janeth De La Cruz.I am a first-year student here at SMC. For half of my high school years, it was online, and I knew I wanted to be back on campus. After researching colleges, I came across SMC and saw they were the #1 transfer school. After booking a campus tour I instantly felt excited about going to college and knew this was the college for me. Throughout my time in SMC, I felt comfortable and confident enough to apply for the role of being an ambassador. Being an ambassador is an opportunity to give back to new students who may feel nervous or scared to start college and by being an ambassador, I hope to make them feel welcomed like the staff and professors helped me feel welcomed during my time here.
Nina Ta: Area of Interest: Arts, Media and Entertainment and Business, Business Administration Major
Hi! My name is Nina, and I'm pursuing my second degree in Business Administration.
I already have a degree in Art and wanted to explore a new field, with the hope of
combining my knowledge from both areas. Ideally, I would love to work in the entertainment
industry in roles such as animation and gaming production management, or possibly
create my own art or comic book someday. I recently became a Student Ambassador for
Santa Monica College, and so far, I'm loving what I'm doing. The people at SMC are
very nice, and I have a passion for helping the community with my knowledge and experience.
As an ambassador, I want to ensure that every new student at SMC feels welcomed and
heard.
Jiaqi Chen: Area of Interest: People and Society, Political Science Major
Hi, I am Jiaqi, but you can also call me Agatha. I am from China, and I speak Cantonese and Mandarin. It is my second year in SMC majoring in Political Science. I’ve always loved nature and hope to pursue a future with the United Nations or in a law pathway, to advocate for environmental protection on a global scale. Being a student ambassador allows me to help others and build leadership, every smile from whom I help makes me more passionate in this job. SMC has greatly supported me in academics, life, and finding my passion, and I want to give back by helping other students in the same way. Proud to be, SMC!
Mannat Ahuja: Area of Interest: Business, Business Administration Major
Hello! My name is Mannat Ahuja, and I’m proud to be SMC. Originally from India and having grown up in a business family, I developed a keen interest in business from an early age. Pursuing this passion, I am currently majoring in Business Administration with a dream to establish my own business someday.
I initially started my college journey at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to make a change. That’s when I heard about SMC, and it has been an incredible experience ever since. The abundance of resources available here for everyone, the prime location and the kind nature of all the staff, faculty and professors has made SMC feel like a second home to me.
My goal is to complete my Associate of Arts degree at SMC, transfer to CSUN for my bachelor’s, and eventually pursue a master’s at a UC. I chose to become a student ambassador because I am passionate about helping others. Seeing a satisfied smile on other people’s faces brings me happiness. I want to inspire and support my fellow students and want to become their helping hand in navigating their own educational journeys.
Zaw Khun Seng (Jimmy): Area of Interest: People and Society, Environmental Studies Major
Hi! My name is Zaw Khun Seng but I go by Jimmy here. My hobbies are singing and playing the guitar. I am majoring in Environmental Studies and plan to transfer to a four-year institution in the future. I chose SMC to pursue a quality education, benefit from diverse academic programs, engage with a vibrant community, access excellent facilities and resources, and enhance my career opportunities. I am a student ambassador at SMC, and I love it! Becoming an ambassador at SMC allows you to represent and promote the institution, gain valuable leadership and networking experience, contribute to the community, and enhance your personal and professional growth and it’s fun!
Leah Zarrabian: Area of Interest: Culture, History, and Languages, Liberal Arts Major
Hey! My name is Leah Zarrabian! I am currently in my second year at Santa Monica College. I am pursuing Liberal Arts here at SMC as I have always been interested in culture, history, languages, people, society, and what truly connects us all! I decided to become an ambassador at SMC because it is an amazing way to give back to our community. I strive to assist other students as much as possible in finding their path, their community, and their people at SMC. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, lost, or alone at college, but there will always be a friendly face at the Welcome Center whenever you may need us!
Kelvin Tjahyadikarta: Area of Interest: Business, Business Major
Hi everyone! My name is Kelvin Tjahyadikarta. I am originally from Jakarta, Indonesia. I am a second-year student at Santa Monica College pursuing an associate's degree in business. I chose to go to SMC because I heard that SMC is a great college that helps prepare its students to transfer to a 4-year institution and that SMC leads the nation to the University of California campuses. My goal is to transfer to a 4-year institution after obtaining an associate's degree in business at SMC.
I wanted to become a Student Ambassador to meet and help many students and I also wanted to be more involved on campus! As a Student Ambassador, I want to inspire and advocate for my peers. I am looking forward to helping you with any questions you may have! Welcome to SMC! PROUD TO BE SMC!