糖心少女

Daisy Ponce

(she/her/ella)

• Major: Psychological Sciences
• Minor: Criminal & Justice Studies
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 100A & UNIV 200A
• Supports Students In: UNIV 100A & UNIV 200A

Hi, I'm Daisy! A few semesters ago, I found myself on academic notice鈥攏ot once, but twice. It felt overwhelming at first, but I didn鈥檛 give up. I pushed through, and today, I鈥檓 proud to say that I鈥檝e made the Dean鈥檚 List. The challenges I faced have shaped who I am, and that鈥檚 why I鈥檓 here as a Peer Coach鈥攂ecause I鈥檝e been where you are, and I want to help you succeed, too. I鈥檓 passionate about supporting UNIV students and beyond. Please don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out鈥擨 believe in your ability to succeed, and together, we can work through whatever you鈥檙e facing.

Nyauni Davis

(she/her)

• Major: Kinesiology - Health Science
• Minor: Biology
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 100A
• Supports Students In: UNIV 100A, UNIV 200A, & UNIV 300B

Hi, I鈥檓 Nyauni. I am an experienced 4th year credited 3rd year. My major is Kinesiology (health science), and I minor in Biology. I love spending time with family and friends. I buy shoes, look at them, and binge-watch shows in my free time. I want my career to take place in the medical field. My nice personality and my constant pursuit of life lessons set me apart from the others. One thing I took away from my UNIV course was time management. I also learned to take pauses and not put too much pressure on myself to do my work at once. I Peer, coach because I want to give back the knowledge and advice I got when I was on notice. Also, I enjoy this tool because helping people succeed is a wonderful thing, and it warms my heart knowing that I was able to help others accomplish their goals.

Trista Hartman

(she/her)

 

• Major: Liberal Studies - Human Development
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 100A
• Supports Students In: UNIV 100A & UNIV 200A

My name is Trista and I am Liberal Studies major! I am also graduating in May of 2026. After graduation, my next step will be to become an elementary school teacher. I enjoy going to the beach, playing soccer, and finding new coffee shops. I took UNIV 100A after failing my first semester of college, and I truly believe that being in that class was my second chance at having a successful academic journey here at 糖心少女. I love to talk about my experiences, and my favorite part of peer coaching is being able to get to know students on a more personal level and learn about their stories. I chose to become a peer coach because I want to create the same encouraging and safe environment that I had while on academic notice.

Ashley De Johghe

(she/her)

• Major: Communication
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 100A & UNIV 200A
• Supports Students In: UNIV 100A

Hi everyone! I鈥檓 Ashley De Jonghe and I鈥檒l be your Peer Coach this Spring semester! I鈥檓 currently a second-year student and I鈥檓 majoring in Communications. I鈥檝e been through both UNIV 100A and 200A, and I鈥檓 currently taking 280 this semester. Some fun facts about me are that I鈥檓 a big Stephen King reader, I love Big Brother and have seen all the seasons (twice), and I鈥檓 a huge fan of cooking! If there鈥檚 a recipe, I鈥檝e most likely made it. For this semester, I鈥檓 here to help you all succeed! I鈥檝e been in your spot (more than once and still am) and I understand the struggles and challenges college and personal life can bring you. But I鈥檓 here as a helping hand and to be someone you all can talk to freely with. I鈥檓 excited to get to know all of you and to be able to share such a supportive and meaningful class with you. 

Avery Martinez

(she/her)

 

• Major: Criminal & Justice Studies
• Minor: Sociology
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 100A & UNIV 200A
• Supports Students In: UNIV 100A 

Hi I鈥檓 Avery! I am a Criminal Justice major with a minor is Sociology and a second year student here at Cal State! Some hobbies and activities I enjoy are going on runs, hikes, going to the beach, the gym, and I love to shop. And a fun fact about me is that I鈥檓 allergic to sunscreen! While I was in this class for 2 semesters I learned that this class is meant to help you and your peer coach (MEE) will always help you and answer any questions you have about anything! I am so excited to be y鈥檃ll鈥檚 peer coach this semester!

Markella Souris

(she/her/ella)

 

• Major: Liberal Studies- Elementary Education - Bilingual Education
• Minor: Spanish
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 100A
• Supports Students In: UNIV 100A 

Hi! My name is Markella, and I鈥檓 an out-of-state student from Illinois currently in my sophomore year at 糖心少女. I鈥檓 a Liberal Studies major with a minor in Spanish. I was also part of the UNIV program, which helped me develop important academic and personal skills that I still use today鈥攕o much so that I鈥檓 proud to be on the Dean鈥檚 List. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, binge-watching TV shows, staying active at the gym, and going on walks.

Catherine Dahm

(she/he)

• Major: Human Development - Health Services
• Minor: Public Health
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 100A
• Supports Students In: UNIV 100A

Hello! My name is Catherine, and I am your peer coach for UNIV 100A. I am a second-year Human Development major with a minor in Public Health, and I also serve as the president of the Human Development Club here on campus. One thing I鈥檝e learned from my time in UNIV is how to stay resilient and overcome challenges, both academic and personal. I am so excited to meet you all and to be your peer coach!

Marcelo Hernandez Lopez

(he/him/el)

• Major: Kinesiology - Health Science
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 100A & UNIV 280-7
• Supports Students In: UNIV 100A

Hello my name is Marcelo Hernandez. I am from San Marcos CA i鈥檓 in my 3rd year here at 糖心少女 and my major is Kinesiology My Hobbies are Soccer,Listening to music, Some fun facts about me:  I played soccer for 10 years. I saw John Cena wrestle in his very last championship match in WWE live before he retired and also met WWE superstar 鈥淒irty鈥� Dominik Mysterio and many more the same week. Something I gained from UNIV helped me become more focused in my classes and I got new study habits because I knew if I didn't change anything I would've been disqualified from 糖心少女. Overall I'm excited to be working with all of you guys.

Noelle Crittendon

(she/her)

 

• Major: Psychological Sciences
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 200A
• Supports Students In: UNIV 100A

Hi! I鈥檓 Noelle and I鈥檓 so excited to be your peer coach for this spring semester! A little about me is that I鈥檓 a second year and I major in psychology. I was placed UNIV200A in Fall 2025 with James Garcia after being put on academic notice. I decided to take it as a learning period instead of dwelling in distress and from this course I learned a lot about communication and perseverance through my academic work and social interactions with my peers and faculty! I love anything related to art & film, there鈥檚 almost no genre I don鈥檛 enjoy. I鈥檓 here to motivate and encourage you all to meet and exceed your goals!

Natalia McDonnell

(she/her)

• Major: Psychological Sciences
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 300C & UNIV 280-7
• Supports Students In: UNIV 300B

Hi, I'm Natalia. I am a fourth-year Psychology major as well as a first-generation student. I am originally from the San Fernando Valley, and I transferred here to 糖心少女 after graduating with my AA in Psychology from Moorpark College in 2022. My transition to a 4-year university came with many challenges, and I was placed on Academic Notice for multiple semesters until I got disqualified in Spring 2025. This was a major wake-up call for me, and I decided it was time to finish what I started here. In Fall 2025, I made an academic comeback, and my grades changed for the better. I'm here to tell you it is absolutely possible to turn things around and to never give up on your goals! Please don't hesitate to reach out for advice or help. I'm here for you. 

Nicole Govea

(she/her/ella)

• Major: Business Administration - Finance
• Minor: 
• Took Classes(es): UNIV 300B
• Supports Students In: UNIV 300B

I am a third year business major and a first generation student. During my transfer semester in spring I ended in UNIV 300B after struggling with balance and organization. What felt like a setback became one of the most impactful and meaningful experiences in my academic journey. With the support of my professor and peer coach, I learned how to prioritize my education and set boundaries to improve my learning. Because of this experience I am very passionate about being a peer coach and supporting students through similar challenges, reminding them that setbacks are temporary and success is very much achievable. I am proud to be on track for graduation and excited to help others reach their goals !