Class of 2009
Major: English Minors: Education & Chicano/ Latino Studies Graduate School: M.A. in Education and Teaching Credential from Whittier College Email: [email protected] |
Melissa Perea (Founding Mother)My name is Melissa and I’m an Alumna from HaU de UCI! I earned my Bachelor's Degree in English with minors in Education and Chicano/Latino Studies in 2009. I took a year off from school and then earned my Master's Degree in Education and Teaching Credential at Whittier College. Currently, I teach Physical Education for grades K-8 and I am a certified freelance makeup artist.
HaU has been a big part of my life since 2007. I am proud to say that I was one of the six founding mothers at UCI. I served on steering as Co-Chair and Collegiate Networking (Social Chair). Please don’t hesitate to ask me if you need any advice—whether it is about school, work, or just life in general. I’m listing my email address so that you can contact me. I have learned that the more you put into the organization, the more you will benefit from it; all that you need is an open mind & an open heart!! With hermanas by your side, you can accomplish anything! I’m looking forward to meeting the new girls, and reuniting with our returners! HaU-KNOW :) |
Sarah Chambers (Founding Mother)My name is Sarah and I’m an Alumna from HaU de UCI! Since graduating from UCI, I have begun my career in clinical research and hold the position of Internal Clinical Research Associate.
When I think back to my time spent at UCI, my greatest memories are of those spent with my Hermanas. While involved in HaU I held the position of Co-Chair along with Melissa Perea. As a founding mother of the UCI chapter, I am so excited to see the organization offer the same wonderful experiences to future generations of Hermanas. I currently serve as an Alumni Chapter Representative, with Melissa Perea. As Chapter Reps we are here to assist the undergrads as well as make the transition to becoming Alumni an easy and exciting stage in your life. Melissa, myself, and all Alumni are here to support our undergrads. We want to ensure that your experience with HaU is always positive and memorable. No matter what stage of life you are in, the saying remains the same- “Once an Hermana, always an Hermana”. As the years go by, my heart grows fonder seeing our HaU de UCI family continue to grow. Your dedication to HaU is what makes it such an empowering organization. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything! HaU Love, Sarah Chambers |
Class of 2011
Major(s): Political Science and Sociology HaU Steering Position(s): Alumni Liaison and Academic Chair Graduate School: San Diego State University E-mail: [email protected] |
Marina Oliman (Founding Mother)My name is Marina Oliman and I am alumna from HaU de UCI! I am currently a School Counselor at Fortuna Middle School in Humboldt County. I am proud to say that I am one of the original six founding mothers of HaU de UCI. I served on steering as Alumni Liaison and Academic Chair. As a founding mother, I applaud the efforts of our current steering; it is amazing to see our chapter grow. My best advice is to take advantage of all the resources at UCI. My most memorable experience is witnessing the Hermandad, it is by far the most amazing feeling to connect with women from the Redwoods to San Diego. As alumni, I am here to support you through your journey at UCI, if you have any questions or needs some wisdom, feel free to e-mail me.
Con Hermandad, Marina Oliman |
Claribell Deleon (Founding Mother)My name is Claribell Deleon and I am one of the six founding mothers of Hermanas Unidas de UCI. I served as the Community Chair and Collegiate Networking Chair the year we established HaU. I graduated 2008 with a double major in Chicanos/Latinos Studies and Spanish and currently working for T-Mobile as a Sales Associate.
As a founding mother and Alumni, I would like to thank our current Hermanas for their outstanding commitment and dedication to the organization and I am very pleased to welcome all of our new Hermanas/os to HaU. |
Elaina Velasco
I was active in Hermanas from 2007-2012, basically all 5 years at UCI, and from the time of founding! I served as Co-Chair 09-10, with an amazing steering, that became lifelong friends!
I work at a commercial insurance brokerage, and I also work as an online health and fitness coach, helping women not only transform their physical health, but mental and emotional too! I graduated from UCI in 2012, with a double bachelor's in Religious Studies & Global Cultures and a minor in Education. My most memorable experience with HaU, was my 1st meeting. I came in by myself, not knowing a single person, didn't know what I was doing at UCI anymore, ready to transfer, and every single hermana welcomed me with open hearts and changed my UCI experience for the better! |
Sandra ToscanoHi! I am Sandra Toscano :) I am currently working towards getting my Special Education credential at CSUN and will be graduating May 2019! I will soon after work towards getting my Masters in Special Education too. I am also an intern as a Resource Specialist Teacher at a charter school in North Hollywood. I work with K-4, and 6th. I couldn’t be any happier with where I am in my career right now 😊
I joined HaU the spring of my first year at UCI in 2012. I remember that day because I went completely alone and being a quiet, shy girl I didn’t know what to expect, but it was one of the best decisions in my life while at UCI. I was an active Hermana since I joined. I was Secretary 2013-2014, and Co-Chair in 2014-2015. My leadership roles in HaU helped me grow, and become more confident in what I am capable of doing and accomplishing! • HaU in general was an amazing experience! But one of my fondest memories was my first Hermana retreat when I had first joined. I just felt so welcomed by everybody and it was a great first camping experience. My second most favorite favorite memory of HaU was another Hermana Retreat, which just so happened to be the year I’d be graduating and the year I was Co-Chair. In one of the activities we had, I was able to feel the Hermandad and the connection and feelings we all had, just felt so real. It was that moment that made that specific event so memorable😊 I’ll always be greatful for the time I spent with HaU and the memories and friends I was able to gain from it. Poder de la Mujer💙 |
Suzy HernandezHi Hermanas! I'm Suzy Hernandez :) I graduated from UCI in 2015 with a triple major in Spanish, Global Cultures, and Studio Art and a double minor in Education and Linguistics. I'm currently working as a Substitute Teacher for LAUSD and hopefully this June I will graduate from UC Davis with my Master's Degree in Spanish Linguistics! :D I want to be a Spanish Teacher ^_^
I joined HaU Fall Quarter of my Freshman year back in 2010; I remember that Alma Arias, the Community Service Chair at the time, approached me during Welcome Week while they were tabling on Ring Road and I've been part of HaU every since ❤️ I was active every quarter since then and held a position every year except for the time I studied abroad. I started as HaU Intern Winter 2011, then Secretary 2011-2012, Co-Chair 2012-2013, and finally Peer Advisor 2014-2015. In the five years I spent with HaU, I created so many memories that it's very difficult to pick just one, because even something "small," such as going on a car ride to an event, would be a fun, bonding experience ❤️ I remember one event during my freshman year when our Social Chair Lauren took us to Santa Ana to eat tacos, and we ate them outside, huddled around the hood of her car 😂 I guess that's why my favorite type of events were our retreats because retreat is all about having these fun, bonding experiences. We got to spend the whole weekend together, making breakfast, sleeping cramped in the same room, enjoying each other's company, laughing together, crying together, sharing our strengths and our vulnerabilities and lifting each other up and maybe even throwing a snowball or two at each other 😉 Thanks to HaU, I had an amazing college experience: I went from shy and quiet to loud and assertive, I learned important organizational and leadership skills, I made life-long friends, and I found the love of my life when she also joined HaU ❤️ I will be forever grateful that HaU was at UCI and I hope it will continue to be there for many more Hermanas in the future ❤️ H-a-U Know! 💪🏽 |