Student Ambassadors
committed to a Positive and successful student experience
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. mI 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. :)
Udhav Detha: Area of Interest: Arts, Media and Entertainment, Film Production/Studies Major
Hi! My name is Udhav and I am a third year student at SMC pursuing a degree in Filmmaking. I have learned so much during my time at SMC and not only about filmmaking but about the people and culture of the student population which comes from all walks of life and from around the world. SMC faculty and staff have helped me immensely during my educational journey in every way possible. This is why I decided to be a student ambassador, to give back to a community which has given me so much.
Ella Schilling: Area of Interest:Business, Marketing Major
Hi! My name is Ella and this is my second year at SMC. I decided to attend SMC because I wasn't sure of what I wanted to major in and what my career path should be. I wanted to explore my options before going to a four year college. I'm always happy to offer some advice for students who need help discovering their major. I decided on a business marketing major and I hope to transfer to USC next year. I decided to be an ambassador to get involved on campus and to hopefully meet many students! As an ambassador, I’m excited to be able to help out with any questions or problems you may have!
Dagmawi Tadesse: Area of Interest: Business, Computer Science Major
Hello, my name is Dagmawi Tadesse, but my friends call me Dougie. I am originally from Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia. I'm a Computer Science major at Santa Monica college. I started at SMC during the Fall of 2022. One of my additional roles here at the college is being a student ambassador. I've been carrying this title for over a year now, currently making me one of the longest active student ambassadors. I first joined the program because I was amazed by the student ambassador's energy to help every student possible, myself included. The ambassadors motivated me to join this program which I now cherish so much. Another program that I found really useful in my day to day is the STEM program. As a STEM major, I decided to join this program that has provided me with many resources such as STEM tutoring and counseling. For my future, I am currently in the process of transferring to UCLA, but will also be delighted to join other amazing UC's.
Liz Ci : Area of Interest: Business, Business Major
Hi, I'm Liz. I'm currently in my last semester at SMC and I’m studying Business. I hope to transfer to a four-year institution this coming fall. Coming to the U.S. alone to study, I understand the challenges of adapting to a new social and educational environment. Having 3 gap years after high school, I had experienced unique circumstances and was not confident about being back to school after a long time. But SMC has given me the support that I needed like academic counseling, transfer guidance, career counseling and even mental health support. SMC has taught me that my presence, and the presence of other students, holds significant importance. Recognizing the value of helping my friends, I wanted to amplify this effort. That is why I became an ambassador - to help fellow students with different backgrounds, journeys, and goals navigate SMC and make the most out of the college experience. Your presence matters! And we as ambassadors are dedicated to facilitating your integration.
Ace Mckay: Area of Interest: Arts, Media and Entertainment, Theater Arts Major
Hey I’m Ace, nice to meet you. I joined the ambassadors program my first semester
of college. I'm now in my third semester at SMC. I am a Theater Arts major hoping
to transfer to USC. I'm also a minor in photography. I'm trying to become a film actor
in the future. You can always catch me sitting at the front desk at the Welcome Center
answering everyone's questions .You can also catch me walking around the campus from
time to time. Feel free to come up to me if you have any questions about the campus
or anything. I hope you have a successful semester and welcome to SMC.
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. I am committed to completing both of my Associates Degrees
and
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.
Aaliyah Sosa: Area of Interest: Arts, Media and Entertainment, Composition Major
My journey with SMC began in 2021. I didn’t feel ready to start at a university after
graduating, so my high school counselor introduced me to local community colleges.
SMC stood out to me because of its reputation for high UC transfer rates. I now study
under SMC’s Applied Music program as a composition major. I aspire to work in film
composition and plan on transferring to UCLA or UC Santa Barbara. I’m grateful for
my time as an ambassador, as it helped me gain confidence in myself and give back
to fellow students in any way I can.
Aman Hashim Jemal: Area of Interest: Business. Computer Science Major
Hello, my name is Aman. I'm a STEM major currently studying Computer Science. Within the first semester of attending SMC, I thought I was going to have a hard time finding friend groups, but found I was able to be a part of multiple friend groups due to my diverse background. This is what SMC is for me. Wherever you come from, whoever you are, I am sure that SMC will be the place for you. My first experience at SMC was led by a student ambassador. I had a quick tour of the campus and I was excited to start my journey. I was quickly intrigued by the role of being an ambassador. The idea of giving back to new students, returning students, or non-traditional students felt amazing. So, from then on, I wanted to be a part of this program. Being an ambassador is an opportunity to use my diverse background and communication skills to help me connect with each and every student that comes across or will come across in the future.
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
Hey! My name is Suri Tun. I am pursuing an Interaction Design Bachelor's Degree at SMC. I started attending in the 2023 fall semester. I graduated high school early with a CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Exam) diploma. I decided to come to SMC because the community is very welcoming and safe, filled with kind, supportive, and passionate staff and students. The resources and opportunities at SMC are massive, incredible, and provide different perspectives on how to pursue my educational goals. By working as an ambassador, I hope to continue to assist prospective students and current students on campus with the resources they need to feel safe, successful, and to feel like they belong. My advice for students at SMC would be to never be scared to ask for help when needed, and to take advantage of every resource available to be successful. We are always here for you, DREAM BIG AND BE PROUD TO BE SMC!
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!