2023-2024 Mentors

Abby Castro

Abby Castro is a senior majoring in Economics with a minor in Management and a Certificate in Honors. She is from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and her favorite Honors class has been “Seeking the Body in Medicine: Visibly Ill.” Abby is involved in the Filipino Student Organization, Pacific Islanders Circle, and the UNM College Enrichment Program. She also works as a Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS) tutor. She has lived in three states and takes random road trips/flights to places she hasn’t been. She enjoys surfing, hiking, lifting, and reading young adult novels, and NASA. Her favorite plant is the Ti plant.

Adina Abudushalamu

Adina Abudushalamu is a senior majoring in Biochemistry with minors in Computer Science and Math and a Certificate in Honors. She is from Las Cruces, New Mexico and her favorite Honors class has been “Legacy of Humans and Their Environment.” Adina is involved in Circle K International, Society of Women Engineers, and the Biology Undergraduate Society. She plays the piano, can rotate her hand 360 degrees, and would speak every language if she could choose a superpower. She enjoys listening to music, reading, and attempting to cook. Her favorite plants are succulents.

Adri Brackeen

Adri Brackeen is a senior majoring in Biology and Spanish with minors in Chemistry and Psychology and a Distinction in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “From TB to Covid-19.” Adri is involved with pre-med activities, dance, Phi Beta Kappa, research, and works as a medical assistant and as a chemistry teacher’s assistant. She is a first-generation college student and can do a backflip. Her favorite ice cream flavor is dark chocolate. She enjoys powerlifting, listening to EDM and rap, reading, spending time with her cat and dogs, and Star Wars. Her favorite plant is lavender.

Alex Schweitzer Kroll

Alex Schweitzer Kroll is a third year majoring in Economics with minors in Religious Studies and Political Science and a Certificate in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Writing As Activism.” Alex is involved with the Economics Club and works as a resident advisor (RA) in the Scholars LLC in the SRC apartments. She loves to swim and she once broke my toe because she ran into a wall. Her favorite color is orange. She enjoys gardening and taking care of plants, spending time in the outdoors (camping, hiking, etc.), reading, Star Wars, and NASA. Her favorite plant is split between the mango tree and pothos.

Alix Rule

Alix Rule is a senior studying Chemical Engineering with a minor in Chemistry and a Certificate in Honors. She is from Peoria, Illinois, and her favorite Honors class has been “Leadership and Public Speaking.” Alix is involved with the Society of Women Engineers and the track team. She throws javelin, used to live in England, and has been skydiving. She enjoys reading, thrifting, upcycling, and Star Wars. Her favorite plant is split between weeping willows, anything with vines, or any kind of flower.

Amy Lewis

Amy Lewis majors in Secondary Education with an English-Language Arts concentration and Spanish, with a Certificate in Honors. They are from Taos, New Mexico, and their favorite Honors class has been “Ecopsychology.” They are a Juniper Reimagined officer and a New Student Orientation leader. They spent their last semester in Spain and love seeing lizards. They enjoy hiking, reading, cross country skiing, and playing with dogs. Their favorite plants are succulents.

Anna Abeyta

Anna Abeyta is a fourth-year majoring in Business Marketing and Operations with a Distinction in Honors. She is from Espanola, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Scribendi.” She is involved as part of the Scribendi staff and later as an editor, the Conceptions Southwest Editor in Chief, and a student representative for the Western Region Honors Council. The craziest thing she’s ever done was skydive with her sister. She can distinguish any type of water she drinks (her least favorite is Dasani). She enjoys digital design, basketball, tennis, going to the movie theater, and NASA. Her favorite plants are succulents.

Antonia Mondragon

Antonia Mondragon is a sophomore majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Services and a Certificate in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Legacy of Villains.” She loves to binge tv shows and Taos, New Mexico, is her second home. She loves all Disney and Marvel movies, and Star Wars. She plays tennis, crochets, and dabbles in singing (mostly in the shower for now). Her favorite plant is something hard to kill and she thinks bamboo is cool.

Arwyn Lewis

Arwyn Lewis is senior majoring in Statistics and Computer Science with a Certificate in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Getting Away With Murder.” She is a Peer Learning Facilitator for Advanced Data Analysis and a Grand Challenges Water Resource Fellow. She played piano for five years and her name is from “The Lord of the Rings.” She has a 6 month old kitty. She enjoys hiking, baking, reading, playing soccer, and NASA. Her favorite plant is the Swiss Cheese plant.

Asia Corwin

Asia Corwin is a third year majoring in Business Finance with minors in Political Science and Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Getting Away With Murder.” She is involved with undergraduate psychology research, the pre-law society, the UNM Chapter of the NSLS, the Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center, and the mountaineering club. She grows her own fruits and vegetables and enjoys playing piano, reading, exercising, and Star Wars. Her favorite plant is the Mangrove tree.

Brooke Duffy

Brooke Duffy is a second year majoring in History with a minor in Honors. She is from Las Cruces, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Legacy of Myth & Magic.” She is involved with the Society of Creative Anachronism. She is left-handed, has a complete collection of Padme Amidala action figures, and works as a server at Olive Garden. She enjoys cooking, reading manga and watching anime, baking, writing, listening to music, and watching Star Wars and Star Trek. Her favorite plants are Baby’s Breath flowers.

Collette Wilson

Collette Wilson is a fourth-year double majoring in Film/Digital Arts and Business Management with a Distinction in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class is split between “Tolkien Art, Myths, and Secrets” and “Leadership and Public Speaking.” She works on campus at the College of Education and was the marketer manager for the Reel Club. She’s been to London, France, Wales, Germany, Ireland and Scotland and has helped raise two litters of Australian Shepherd puppies. She’s been on the sets for shows The Loud House and black-ISH. She enjoys dancing, playing D&D, swimming, biking, skiing, and Star Wars. Her favorite plant is the Galaxy Flower (also known as petunia cultivars).

Conall Aque

Conall Aque is a junior majoring in Economics and a minor in Communication with a Certificate in Honors. He is from Chicago, Illinois, and his favorite Honors class has been “Legacy of Monsters and Marvels.” He was a New Student Orientation Leader, and is involved in the Economics Club, Lobo Friends, NSLS, Phi Eta Sigma, Lobo Catholic, and TPUSA. He also likes options trading and is a huge Cubs fan. He enjoys investing and hiking.

Cyan Rose

Cyan Rose is a sophomore majoring in Honors Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts. She is from Wichita, Kansas, and her favorite Honors class has been “Legacy of Comedy.” She is involved with Pi Beta Phi and Scribendi. She loves adrenaline activities like cliff jumping and zip lining. She’s dyed her hair every color of the rainbow. She enjoys soccer, reading, travel, and Star Wars. Her favorite plants are roses.

Alice Edwards

Alice Edwards is a third-year majoring in Biology with a Distinction in Honors. They are from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and their favorite Honors class has been “Becoming a Better Writer.” They are the Vice President of Biology Undergraduate Society, an intern in a microbiology lab, and a Hobbit Society member. Some of their favorite fun facts include; using pencils in space is a terrible idea as the graphite dust can cause problems with the machinery, leading to fires and that Jack-o’-Lanterns probably originated in the British Isles in the 19th century. They enjoy reading, gaming, anime, Star Wars, and NASA. Their favorite plants are trees.

Daniela Millan

Daniela Millan is majoring in Political Science and Communication with a minor in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Musical Theater.” She is involved with LoboTHON, Mortar Board, Trailblazers, and ASUNM. Her first language is Spanish and she did a baseball internship with UNM Baseball. She enjoys reading, baseball, painting, and watching movies. Her favorite plants are cacti.

Danielle Gallegos

Danielle Gallegos is a senior majoring in Journalism & Mass Communication with a concentration in Strategic Communication with a Certificate in Honors. She is from Taos, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Sports in American History and Society.” She is involved with Chi Omega Sorority, the UNM Honors College, UNM LULAC, and has work study and an internship. She will receive her bachelor’s degree after three years and plans to work in sports communication. She loves traveling and has been to eight countries so far. She enjoys attending athletic and student events around campus. She loves trying new boba places and working out. Her favorite plant is aloe vera.

Dorsa Zamanian

Dorsa Zamanian is a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology and Chemistry and a Certificate in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Becoming a Better Writer.” She is involved with Lobothon, Minorities in Medicine, Pre-Med Society, Iranian Student Association, BBBS, and Kids Empowered. She lived in Iran for 4 years of my life and loves painting, especially nature related things. She enjoys painting, playing volleyball, and getting coffee with her friends. Her favorite plants are orchids.

Emily Castro

Emily Castro is a sophomore majoring in Biology. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Legacy of Exploration.” She is involved with the tennis club and Phi Eta Sigma. She swam for nine years, has two dogs named Sissy and Bailey, and loves to travel and see new places. She enjoys swimming, watching movies, yoga, baking, and biking. Her favorite plants are flowers.

Gabby Roe

Gabby Roe is a senior majoring in Business Administration with minors in Spanish and Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “How to Get Away with Murder.” She is the current President of the Mortar Board National Senior Honors Society, Events Planner & Digital Communications Officer of the Anderson Professional Development Student Group, a former member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Beta Sorority (Fall 2020-Spring 2023) who served as Vice President of Organization during the Spring 2022,  & was a UNM Panhellenic Rho Gamma during the Fall of 2021. She is Hispanic and Thai and was born in San Antonio, Texas. She has studied abroad in Spain, Europe, and South America. She enjoys walking her dog Max, trying out new coffee shops in the area, getting together with friends, and Star Wars. Her favorite plant is the sunflower.

Garrett Carrasco

Garrett Carrasco is a senior majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Honors on a pre-med track. He is from Carlsbad, New Mexico, and his favorite Honors class has been “The Art of Stand Up ” taught by Maria Szasz. On campus, he is a member of AMSA, and participates in research at North Campus in Dr. Ozbun’s lab. Off-campus, he is involved with an indoor sand volleyball league and a hot air balloon crew. He is also a part of the LGBTQ+ community. He enjoys playing sand volleyball, staying active at the gym, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with friends. His favorite plant is the String-of-Pearls.

Hannah Edgel

Hannah Edgel is a senior majoring in Speech & Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology and a Certificate in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Becoming a Better Writer.” She plans to attend grad school to become a speech-language pathologist. Around UNM, she is involved in the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and the Speech & Hearing Sciences Equity Group. Her favorite animal is the blue whale, and during high school she lived in Washington state for about a year. She enjoys playing piano, cooking, knitting and crocheting, fishkeeping, listening to music, and reading. Her favorite plant is the pothos plant.

Henry Quiñones

Henry Quinoñes is majoring in Secondary Education with a concentration in History with a minor in Bilingual Education. He is from Santa Ana, California. He says that people consider me an old soul, because he enjoys watching black and white movies, especially those from the Golden Era of Mexican Cinema. When he was smaller, he would only eat arroz con leche and chicken nuggets from McDonalds. He enjoys maintaining a regular routine of exercise, reading, Star Wars, and watching anime and K-dramas with his little sister. He is undecided on his favorite plant but enjoys daffodils.

Jade Serna

Jade Serna is a second-year majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Family and Child Studies and a Certificate in Honors. She is from El Paso, Texas, and her favorite Honors class has been “19th Century Gothic Literature.” She has been involved with Emerging Lobo Leaders, the Honors Student Association, the National Society of Leadership and Success, Phi Eta Sigma, the Biology Undergraduate Society, Chemistry Club, the Pre-Medical Society, shadowing at the UNM Children’s Hospital and volunteering at the Lobo Food Pantry. She lived in Germany for five and a half years, is a Regents’ Scholar, and her favorite band is My Chemical Romance. She enjoys cooking, baking, traveling, playing the cello, reading, writing, volunteering, exercising, shopping, most forms of artistic expression, Star Wars, NASA, and generally trying new things. Her favorite plants are medicinal plants.

Jaimie Ritchie

Jaimie Ritchie is majoring in Civil Engineering with minors in Music and Math and a Distinction in Honors. She is from Taos, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Musical Theater in America.” She is the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Co-President and she often plays violin in the UNM Symphony Orchestra. She practices Aikido at Albuquerque Iwama Aikido, a martial art that translates as the Way of Harmony. She loves swimming, playing chess, reading fantasy books, hiking, and playing D&D. Her favorite plants are conifers, especially ponderosa pine trees.

Jesús Sanchez

Jesús Sánchez is senior majoring in Political Science and Honors Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts with a minor in Psychology. He is from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and his favorite Honors class has been “Scribendi.” He is involved with the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, College Democrats, and Tabletop Tavern. He has an Instagram account where he posts the Geico Gecko everyday (over 1000 days strong). He has been to more countries than U.S. states. He enjoys writing poetry, playing D&D, and playing video games. His favorite plants are carnations.

Jordan Perez

Jordan Perez is a senior double majoring in Biochemistry and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with a Certificate in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Human Rights of College Students.” She is an Anderson Student Leader with the UNM Business School, conducts research with the College of Population Health and with the Biochemistry Honors department. She plays on a community softball league in Albuquerque, can juggle, and her family owns a professional boxing promotions in New Mexico. She loves watching and playing softball and she is obsessed with watching Marvel movies and shows. She enjoys Star Wars. Her favorite plants are succulents.

Jude Harb

Joseph “Jude” Harb is a senior majoring in Music Theory and Composition with a minor in Honors. He is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and his favorite Honors class has been “Myth Making and Tolkien.” He is involved with UNM Hobbit Society, UNM SNATS, and NSLS. He lived in Australia for 11 years and has traveled to Japan, the UK, and Italy. He enjoys playing video games and D&D, reading, going for walks, playing with his dog, and watching movies and YouTube. He enjoys Star Wars, and his favorite plant is the Wild Blue Heart Tulip.

Laysha Chaparro

Laysha Chaparro is a senior majoring in Psychology and Spanish with minors in Honors and Mass Communication and Journalism. She is from Los Lunas, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “The Art of Stand Up Comedy.” She is involved with El Centro de la Raza, ASUNM, LoboTHON, Trailblazers, Mortar Board, and is a National Latino Behavioral Health Association intern. When she was 7 she was obsessed with “Wizards of Waverly Place” and had everything in her room, from light switches to pillows with their logo and characters on them. She has a 4-year-old Shih-Tzu blind and deaf dog. If she could meet any historical person in the world it would be Marilyn Monroe. She enjoys working out and exercising to keep her body energized. She loves to work on arts and crafts or anything artistic. She likes reading up on research, especially within the realm of psychology and Latinos. Her favorite plant is split between Monstera or orchids.

Luis Tafoya

Luis Tafoya is majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science and a certificate in Honors. He is from Chihuahua, Mexico, and his favorite class so far has been “Legacy of Material Culture.” He is involved in research at the UNM-H Cancer Research Facility, working with Artificial Intelligence models. He loves anything related to the arts, especially music production, and enjoys being outside for work or any activity. In his free time, he practices the piano, paints, codes, and reads. He was raised in Mexico and Spanish is his first language. He graduated from high school in both Mexico and the United States. Some of his favorite plants are cacti, especially saguaros.

Madison Hogans

Madison Hogans is a junior majoring in English and Honors Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts with a minor in History. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been a tie between “Musical Theatre in America,” and “Tolkien’s Myths, Arts, and Sources.” She is involved with Hobbit Society, AJAAS, Limina Nonfiction Review, and Scribendi. Currently, her phone has over 77 gigabytes of music on it (and she is constantly adding more). She has been writing both original stories and fanfiction for nearly eight years now. She cannot roll her tongue or whistle (truly the worst timeline). She enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, NASA, and playing video games a little later than she should. Her favorite plant is lilac.

Makayla Otero

Makayla Otero is a third-year majoring in Political Science and Psychology with minors in Psychology and Communication and a Certificate in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Introduction to Failure.” She is involved with Pre-Law society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and is the Chief Justice in ASUNM. She loves true crime anything. Her favorite animal is a polar bear. She likes to bake, photography, NASA, and as of recently going to the gym, car shows, and on adventures. Her favorite plants are rose bushes.

Marissa Leyva

Marissa Leyva is a third-year student majoring in Biochemistry with a Certificate in Honors. She is from Pueblo West, Colorado, and her favorite Honors class has been “Getting Away with Murder: The Cultural Construction of Serial Killings.” She is an Advancing Women in STEM member, a Lobo Chemistry Club member, and works at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology on campus. She has three sisters and is left-handed. She loves to read, watch movies, and play sports. She also enjoys baking, painting, and crocheting. Her favorite plant is bamboo.

Mikayla Romero

Mikayla Romero is a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Chemistry. She is from Las Cruces, New Mexico, and her favorite honors class has been “Legacy of Witchcraft.” She is involved with the Society of Women Engineers and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. She works as an intern at Sandia National Lab and at Topgolf on the weekends. Her favorite hobbies include snowboarding, hiking, traveling, music festivals, and golf. Spider plants are her favorite plant due to their unique appearance.

Raneem Ramadan

Raneem Ramadan is a fourth-year majoring in Business concentrating on Management Information Systems with a minor in Computer Science and a Certificate in Honors. She is from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and her favorite Honors class has been “Legacy of Storytelling.” She lived in Saudi Arabia during middle and high school. She enjoys spending time with family and friends over dinner. She enjoys biking and journaling. Her favorite plants are cacti.

Raychel Kool

Raychel Kool is a junior majoring in American Studies with a minor in Honors. They are from California, Kentucky, and their favorite Honors class has been “Scribendi.” They are involved with Scribendi and Juniper Reimagined: A Queer and Trans Student Alliance. They have a crochet possum named Pearl hanging from the rear view mirror of their car (which is named Judy). Their summer projects this year have included burning mix CDs, making zines, and knitting (struggling with) their first blanket. They enjoy reading, baking, walking/hiking, making zines and collages, watching TV and movies. Their favorite plant is the jade plant (they have three named Neil, Todd, and Nuwanda).

Reyes Reynaga

Reyes Reynaga is a third-year punk scholar majoring in Chicana and Chicano Studies with minors in Honors and Philosophy. He is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and his favorite Honors class has been a tie between “Scribendi” and “Writing As Activism.” He is involved with the Association for Jotería Arts, Activism, and Scholarship (AJAAS), El Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlán (MEChA), Student Support Services TRIO, the Honors Student Association, the Hobbit Society, holds the position of Scribendi Digital Editor, and is a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow. Along with being a student, Reyes is an artist and activist. He is a first-generation student working toward a Ph.D. to be a professor and continue his research. He enjoys going to concerts, local punk shows, sewing, upcycling and customizing clothes, and making multimedia art. His favorite plants are moss balls because the moss is a plant but also kind of a pet.

Rosie Deal

Rosie Deal is a sophomore majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Studio Art and a Certificate in Honors. She is from Austin, Texas, and her favorite Honors class has been “Photographic Eye.” Her freshman year she was involved in the Pre-Occupational Therapy Club, Regents Council, Honey Chords A Cappella, and the Women’s Resource Center IMPACT mentorship program, but she also wants to look into club and intramural sports this year. In fifth grade she got to walk out with Jordan Morris in his debut game with the men’s national soccer team and he scored the opening goal (won 2-0). She has designed and helped paint three murals, two of which are at her high school. She loves to be outside exploring Albuquerque and hiking, as well as drawing and painting, and reading. She enjoys Star Wars. Her favorite plant is the strawberry plant.

Rylee Norman

Rylee Norman is majoring in Film and Digital Media with a minor in Honors. She is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Writing As Activism.” She is the Executive Director for the ASUNM Southwest Film Center, the Young Life Student Ministries President, a Mortar Board Honors Society Member, a former RA, and a former Res Life Ambassador. She loves coffee, outdoor activities, and books. She enjoys photography, playing the piano/bass, Star Wars, and reading. Her favorite plants are little cacti.

Sean Winthrop

Sean Winthrop is a senior majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology and a Certificate in Honors. He is from Atlanta, Georgia, and their favorite Honors class has been “Legacy of Witchcraft.” He is the Community Service Chair for the National Society for Leadership and Success. They were born in Anchorage, Alaska. He enjoys video games, traveling, meeting new people, and Star Wars. Their favorite plant is the sunflower.

Solomon Gbara Jr.

Solomon Gbara Jr. is majoring in Business Administration with a Certificate in Honors. He is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and his favorite Honors class has been “Legacy of Exploration.” He is involved with rugby as a player and the Center for Financial Capability as the Student Director. He is a Seattle Seahawks fan. His biggest life hack is Google Calendar. He enjoys football, rugby, and the gym. His favorite plant is the pothos plant.

Sophia Thompson

Sophia Thompson is a senior majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Honors. She is from Denver, Colorado, and her favorite Honor class has been “Conexiones – Ecuador.” She is a LoboFriends mentor, a part of NSLS and UNM Pre-Medical Society, and was a research intern in the Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at UNMH. She also studied abroad through the Honors Conexiones program. This is her fourth year in Pathmakers. She loves to travel. She is applying to medical school right now and invites questions about the process. She enjoys traveling, running, and cooking new recipes. Her favorite plant is the Venus Fly Trap.

Victoria Nisoli

Victoria Nisoli is a junior majoring in Chemistry with minors in Studio Art and Honors. She is from Los Alamos, New Mexico, and her favorite Honors class has been “Graphic Memoir.” She is involved with Juniper Reimagined and is an intern at LANL/Sandia. She can do a very accurate Beaker impression (from the Muppets). She can drive a stick shift. She enjoys reading, drawing, knitting, and NASA. Her favorite plant is Salvia.