Welcome to the Student Ambassador Page!
Our Mission Statement
Supporting Berkeley City College to promote student success, provide our diverse community with educational opportunities, and transform lives.
The Berkeley City College Student-Ambassador Program is made up of students who are selected from a varied pool of applicants to represent the college’s diverse community. Our program is an extension of the Campus Life Department. Our focus is to support new and continuing students through the enrollment process into the Peralta Community College District system, as well as to provide educational outreach services to local high schools, middle schools, and community partners.
Our Ambassadors serve as the liaisons for the college and community, and they collaborate to support Berkeley City College’s mission to promote educational opportunity, student success and diversity.
Our Current Ambassadors 2020-2021
Name: Aiya Meilani Ampon
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
BCC Major: Communications and Sociology
Interests: My interests are poetry, hiking, discovering new music and making playlists
I became an ambassador by recommendation but I also wanted to be an active member of my academic community to be able to assist others in navigating resources that helped me become a scholar.
Languages: English
Name: Ali Alkahli
Pronouns: He / Him / His
BCC Major: Computer Science and Mathematics
Interests: Some of my interests include coding, video games, and basketball/working out. I really enjoy going out and trying new things with my friends like this one time we did karaoke. I also enjoy just hanging out with my friends whether it be through basketball or video games.
I really enjoy being a student ambassador because it is a way to stay connected to the community and help ensure student success.
Languages: English and Arabic
Name: Ana Touriel
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
BCC Major: Business Administration w/ Management concentration
Interests: My interests are sustainability, education, and dogs. I love being outside, hanging out with my dog, and eating good food.
I like being an ambassador because I have the opportunity to work with great people and help students.
Languages: English and Spanish
Name: Arsema Tedros
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
BCC Major: Biology
Interests: Interests: I love listening to a variety of music, love being in nature, spending time with friends & family, and traveling anytime I can. My goal is to transfer as a pre-med student into my undergrad and then attend medical school.
I like being a student ambassador because I get to help other students navigate college life, whether it’s academic, campus life, or answering any questions or concerns they have. I’ve learned important skills and gained valuable experiences that I can use later in my career and life.
Languages: English
Name: Danielle Marie Ignacio
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
BCC Major: Psychology with interest to Nursing
Interests: I love the outdoors and going on new adventures! I love animals and enjoying arts & crafts, great music, and delicious food.
I became an ambassador by recommendation and have enjoyed this opportunity. Navigating through higher education can be tough at times and I want to be able to share the information I know to others to help everyone reach academic success. It is important to feel connected to our communities as it enables us to network, learn, have involvement, stay updated on important news, and much more. As a student ambassador I serve as a liaison for students and the administration of Berkeley City College.
Languages: English and basic Tagalog
Name: Fernando Cardenas
Pronouns: He / Him / His
BCC Major: Mechanical engineer
Interest: During my free time, I love to draw/paint, skateboard, and work on my car. I believe in community members teaching each other new skills, so training family members and friends to do basic auto maintenance is always rewarding.
I became an Ambassador for the same reason that I love to help friends and family with their cars. Providing support to those around me gives me a sense of fulfillment and pushes me to be a better person. I still remember how intimidating BCC was when I first arrived and I’m happy to think that I can bring confidence to students who feel lost.
Languages: English and Spanish
Name: Jaiden Zak
Pronouns: He / Him / His
BCC Major: Computer Science
Interests: I am passionate about environmental justice and the effects of climate change. I hope to have a career in which I can be part of a solution to these problems. Additionally, I am interested in Bay Area sports, wildlife, math, and I would love to learn how to maintain a big garden.
I enjoy being a student ambassador because it gives me a way to support Berkeley City College and the Community College system in general. I think it is an excellent step in higher education that doesn’t get nearly the respect and resources that it deserves. I hope that the skills I learn with respect to advocating for my peers will help me continue to do so throughout my life and career.
Languages: English
Name: Kyleen Vo
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
BCC Major: Business Administration
Interests: My interests include trying new foods, learning different languages, stationary, and music!
I enjoy working as a student ambassador because it has allowed me to make a difference in my community. Each day, I am able to help a different student with a different situation. In helping other students, I have been able to learn more about my community as well!
Languages: English and Vietnamese
Name: Marlene Rodriguez
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
BCC Major: Global Studies and Political Science
Interests: My interests include digital drawing, watching anime, watching horror films especially slashers, trying out different types of food, and making friends!
I enjoy being a student ambassador because it gives me the opportunity to help people directly to find the resources they need in order to be academically successful and it has given me the chance to become more confident in my abilities to be in a leadership position at Berkeley City College. It’s really nice to help someone achieve their academic goals and making a positive difference in their journey is all the more fulfilling as a student ambassador!
Languages: English and Spanish
Name: Natan Haile
Pronouns: He / Him / His
BCC Major: Biomanufacturing Production
Interests: I love playing video games, running along the marina, and enjoying the little things.
I became a student ambassador because I’ll know the resources at BCC, and I will also get the chance to help my fellow students.
Languages: English and Amahric
Name: Natalia Macias
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
BCC Majors: Psychology and Sociology
Interests: I became a student ambassador to learn more about the school I am going to and feel more connected to my community. It is rewarding being able to bridge the gap between administration and the student body. Even if it is some small way, I enjoy thinking that I helped them access information in order to reach their academic goals.
Languages: English
Name: Natasha Tehrani
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
BCC Major: Business
Interests: I love meeting new people, eating new foods, and taking long naps when I can.
I one day plan on becoming a leader of some sort. I want to create and run my own fashion company. Being a student ambassador gives me a taste of that. Working where I study, makes my life so much better because it encourages me to be a part of my community. I was very shy before and kept to myself, however, taking the chance and becoming a student ambassador has helped me develop many skills that will pave way to many more successes. I’m not only a better leader, but an advocate for serving the community!
Languages: English and Farsi
Name: Nathan Wei
Pronouns: He / Him / His
Major: Business
Interests: I enjoy stress-free activities such as working out, nature hikes, and hanging out with friends.
I became an ambassador to contribute back to my community and improve my leadership skills. It also helps me get to know more people and their stories in the Peralta District.
Languages: English, Korean, and Mandarin
Name: Sarah Ahazie
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Major: Business Administration
Interests: One of my main interests is music. I play the guitar and the piano. Besides music, I enjoy cooking and social activism 🙂
I became an ambassador because I love helping people in any little way I can. As an international student, navigating college and a new country was hard but I am glad I get to help other international students feel comfortable and make their journey through college as smooth as possible. Being a student ambassador has also helped me think outside the box in order to help other students. I have also gotten to meet people from different walks of life and learn things I never knew about the campus, that have not only enabled me to help students more efficiently, but have also been beneficial to me.
Languages: English and Yoruba