Meet the GEM Mentors
IME’s Great Expectations Mentorship (GEM) program is led by our amazing GEM Mentors. Mentors consist of continuing peers who have been at L&C for more than one year and display a high level of commitment toward creating a welcoming space for any new student and in particular, students of color and/or First-Generation students throughout their first year. GEM Mentors are trained throughout the year to ensure they are supported and support our larger L&C community.
To apply to be a 2026-27 GEM Mentor, see the application here. Applications close on Monday, Feb. 9th.
Meet Your GEM Mentors
Rosa Caldera (she/her) ’26
Year: 4th year
Major: Psychology
Minor: Philosophy & Pre-Law Track
Hometowns: Beaverton, OR
Advice or Tips for any L&C students: Find your people! The transition to college can be isolating and it’s easy to get in your own head when things get tough so it’s really important to establish a support system on campus early on. Having a group of people that you can confide in (or even go to events with) is really crucial to feeling welcome & carving out your own space at L&C, especially for communities that are historically underrepresented in higher education.
Involvements on Campus (ask me about!): I’m very involved with Gente Latina Unida, the Latine student union on campus. I’ve been on leadership for the past 2 years and plan to continue it for this upcoming year. Beyond that, I’ve remained connected with IME since my freshman year by attending programming & helping with the annual Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee. I’m also looking to get a Latine Alumni Association going before I graduate so that might also become another involvement this year. Academics wise, I recently joined the Psychology Honors Society, Psi Chi, but I’m not a part of any academic-focused clubs or research beyond that.
Jazmin Contreras (she/her) ’26
Year: 4th year
Major: Economics
Minor: Data Science
Hometowns: Hood River, OR
Advice or Tips for any L&C students: You might look around and not see many people who share your story, but don’t shrink yourself. The grit, the work ethic, the community you come from? That’s your strength. Own it, and don’t be afraid to speak up, even if your voice shakes.
While you’re here, take advantage of everything. Use campus resources: tutoring, counseling, and career support. Take classes that challenge you and electives that surprise you. Join clubs that reflect your passions. Every opportunity you take builds your power. You belong here
Involvements on Campus (ask me about!):
- Incoming GLU Treasurer
- Capitol Hill Elementary School mentorship program
- First Gen mentorship program
- Ray Warren research panel presenter
- Race Monologues presenter
- Hispanic Heritage Month Planning Committee
- SACNAS
- Speech and Debate team
- Voces Aureum choir
Rebecca Danaëlle François (she/her) ’26
Year: 2nd year
Major: International Affairs & Psychology
Hometowns: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Advice or Tips for any L&C Students: College can be challenging, but don’t hesitate to ask questions, there are no bad questions. Don’t be shy about asking what’s on your mind. Take your time to figure out what you want and need, and don’t feel pressured by anything. Also, feel free to come hang out at IME!
Involvements on Campus (ask me about!): I am currently the Event Manager of the French Club.
Nkeletso Mota (she/her) ’28
Year: 2nd year
Major: Still Exploring! Maybe Economics!
Hometowns: Johannesburg, South Africa
Advice or Tips for any L&C Students: My advice would be to stay open to everything LC has to offer!S
Involvements on Campus (ask me about!): IA symposium, ADC member, Puerto Rico Immersion trip, volunteer for Blanche House, and part of the Black History Month Planning Committee.
Thoan Nguyen (she/her) ’27
Year: 3rd year
Major: Math & Computer Science
Minor: Economics
Home Country: Vietnam
Advice or Tips for Any L&C Students:
One of the most essential pieces of advice I can give any L&C student is not to be afraid to ask for help. College can sometimes be overwhelming, whether it’s academics, adjusting to life away from home, managing responsibilities, or just figuring things out. However, you’re not alone.
Many people here, professors, staff, RAs, and peer mentors, genuinely care and want to support you. But the truth is, we can’t help if we don’t know you’re struggling. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength, self-awareness, and growth. Everyone needs a hand sometimes, and reaching out can lead to resources, guidance, and even meaningful connections you might not expect.
So please speak up, ask questions, and lean on your community when necessary.
Involvements on Campus (ask me about!):
- Clubs: Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), SACNAS, Affinity Groups
- Research: Roger Math Research
- Other involvements: International Fair
Alondra Olea (she/her) ’26
Year: 4th year
Major: Biology
Minor: Health studies
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA and Salem, OR
Advice or Tips for any L&C students: Don’t be afraid to try new things or do something alone! This is often how you find new friends or discover something you love, you just got to get over the fear of trying something new. :)
Involvements on Campus: At the moment I am co-chair of Gente Latina Unida leadership team where our main focus is to make the Latine community of LC feel like we belong here. We are able to do this with things like chisme nights where we talk over dinner and dances where the community is able to listen to music in Spanish to feel a little bit more at home.
I am also a part of the SACNAS leadership team, which is a society for the advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Stem fields. Our focus is to support the BIPOC community of Lewis & Clark to succeed in their chosen STEM field, both academically and emotionally. The BIPOC community already has such a difficult time at a PWI, but it’s even harder trying to succeed in fields that are historically made up of white men.
I am also a first-generation college student! I volunteer in the Capitol Hill Elementary School mentorship program and am an incoming senator, mariachi club, and teacher pathways!
Jatniel Sánchez (he/him) ’28
Year: 2nd year
Major: Computer Science & Mathematics
Minor: Data Science
Hometowns: Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Advice or Tips for any L&C students: Saving time to take care of yourself is as important as saving time to finish other tasks, including homework. The process to find this balance is neither linear nor static. Remember that, and take time to get to know yourself and your own balance.
Involvements on Campus (ask me about!): Gente Latina Unida, Dance Collective, Admissions Ambassador.
Luz Urena (she/her) ’28
Year: 2nd year
Major: Economics and International Affairs
Hometowns: San Jose, Costa Rica & Managua, Nicaragua
Advice or Tips for any L&C Students: Find your place and embrace it. We were meant to be here, and we all deserve the place we hold in the community. Even when life gets difficult, make sure to find a place in which you feel comfortable and loved, and make sure to surround yourself with people that can charge you with good energy and love to encounter the difficulties and challenges.
Involvements on Campus (ask me about!): I am a member of Spanish Club Leadership and the String Club. I attend several clubs meetings, including the German club, Gente Latina Unida (GLU) and Black Student Union (BSU). I currently work at the Overseas and Off-Campus Programs Office, as well as work for the Game Day Operations office!