I'm the proud daughter of a Filipino immigrant father and a small-town farm-raised mother. Growing up in a small farming community in Southeast Iowa in one of the only multi-racial and immigrant homes, I faced challenges navigating higher education pathways unfamiliar to our town. With limited guidance on university life, I found myself struggling academically, financially, and mentally. Lacking appropriate interventions and knowledge of available resources, my grades plummeted, and I faced obstacles in pursuing my desired major. Fortunately, in my second semester of sophomore year, I accessed an educational consultant and mentor, who played a pivotal role in preventing me from being forced to drop out of college. Despite having a 2.2 GPA, with support in accommodations, community involvement, mental health care, financial planning, and effective study strategies, I not only recovered but graduated with honors (3.5 GPA) in Communication Studies and two minors. Inspired by a fellow Hawkeye mentor in Omaha, I pursued a Masters in Public Administration. What resonated most was the similarity in our journeys – both first-gen Iowans benefiting from mentorship to overcome challenges and succeed. During my tenure with the Center for Advancement and the Division of Student Life, I've witnessed the genuine commitment of the administration, faculty, and staff in ensuring every student's individual and collective needs are met, fostering an environment conducive to graduation success. And collectively, are able to receive access to their needs so that they can achieve graduation success. Why do I aspire to be a mentor? In four words - Advocacy, Accommodations, Affinity, and Access. I aim to advocate for your needs, guide you in discovering accommodations for academic success, help you explore your true affinities, and connect you with communities of shared passions. Most importantly, I want to ensure you understand the access you have to various areas, departments, and programs that will enrich your personal and professional growth throughout your time at the University of Iowa.