Marcos Armenta Jr. (he/him) is a fourth-year Psychology major and Kinesiology minor who is striving to become an athletic trainer or sports analyst. Marcos is an active member of the WC Men’s Baseball program on the pitching roster. His goals include developing positive changes to the campus environment by eliminating stigma surrounding mental health and educating his peers on the value of mindfulness. In his free time, Marcos enjoys going to car meets and investing in his auto detailing business.
Bree Brasher (she/her) is a third-year Social Work major who hopes to become a trauma therapist, working in the area of suicide prevention for law enforcement and their mental health units. On campus, Bree works as a Library Student Assistant and serves her peers through Student Accessibility Services; she is also a member of the Physics Club. Off-campus, Bree supports child development at the Boys and Girls Club of Whittier. She is excited to share with the WC community, the results of her upcoming fall research project on multigenerational trauma. Personal goals for her collegiate experience include building connections, gaining experience, and learning more about her chosen field. Outside of academics, she enjoys matcha, exploring, hiking, and is a part of a running club.
Elias Loya (he/him) is a third-year Psychology major with an Anthropology minor, who aims to become a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), with a concentration on children and teens. On campus, Elias is a member of the Psi Chi chapter and works as a Library Student Assistant at Wardman Library. Elias plans to learn more about his field with the hope of making a positive impact within his community by eliminating the stigma around seeking mental health services. Some of his hobbies include thrifting, playing guitar, and expanding his vinyl collection.
Gia Prado (she/they) is a third-year Psychology major who aspires to become a Psychiatrist, drawing inspiration from her own experience with chronic illness, and recognizing the impact of medications on the human body. She serves the WC community as a Residential Advisor and the Science Circus Educational Program; she is also a Cauffman Fellow, working on AI research and application within academia. Gia is a self-care advocate and aims to create safe and inclusive spaces wherein students feel comfortable to engage in discussions about their mental health. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, and raised in Portland, Oregon, Gia loves to travel in her free time and has been to more than five countries. Beyond her academic pursuits, Gia enjoys running and cooking plant-based meals in her free time.
Elaine Rios (she/her) is a fourth-year Psychology and Child Development major who plans to become a clinical child psychologist. On campus, she has worked as a facilitator for the summer Science Circus Education program and served as a notetaker in Student Accessibility Services. In her home community, she has supported food insufficiency challenges and has been a blood donor. Her goal at Whittier College is to learn more about her major and gain experiences in mental health while establishing relationships with peers/mentors and learning to support others. During her free time, she enjoys watching movies, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family.
Malika Tadesse (she/her) is a first-year international student from Ethiopia. She has chosen to major in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance. Her dream is to represent herself on a global scale by changing the lives of her community through financial and mental wellness. Malika has a strong volunteer background, working with people of various cultural identities through several non-profit organizations. On campus, Malika serves as the Vice President of the Global Poets Club and is a Religious Literacy Intern at the Department of Religious Studies. In her free time, she enjoys watching anime and is a huge My Hero Academia fan.
Giovanni Sebastian Valeriano Rivas (he/him) is a second-year international student from Peru pursuing his dreams of excelling in the medical field with a major in Biological Sciences with a Pre-Med focus. His goals include building stronger relationships and gaining knowledge that promotes meaningful ideas toward community wellness. On campus, Giovanni is a member of the Pre-Health Club and has volunteered on projects in the Theatre Department and through Residential Life. Outside of classes, he enjoys learning new things, socializing with friends, participating in sports, and traveling to continue his personal growth.
Jenny Pham is a senior from Vietnam, double majoring in economics and Chinese with a focus on international economics. She has a passion for linguistics and is working to attain her Chinese Advanced Fluency certification by 2025. She’s also shared her knowledge as an economics tutor at the Center for Advising & Academic Success. In her free time, Jenny loves to explore visual arts and focus on personal growth. If you’re interested in learning more about Jenny's journey or just want to chat, she’d be thrilled to connect–feel free to stop by and say hello.
