Our Crew

Our full-time staff are dedicated to meeting the holistic needs of UC San Diego students in regards to their housing, food, and financial security. 

Alicia Magallanes

Director

Contact Alicia at a1magallanes@ucsd.edu

As Director of the Hub Basic Needs Center, Alicia (she/her) oversees and provides supportive services to increase accessibility of basic needs resources for students at UC San Diego. She has worked alongside resilient communities in south Los Angeles as a street outreach worker, was a Farmers Market Recovery Glean Lead with Food Forward at the Hollywood Farmers Market, and conducted her graduate studies field practicum with Feeding San Diego locally.

She aspires to cultivate a basic needs secure campus environment and shift dialogue around the topic of basic needs to reflect the resilience as well as innovation of our amazing undergraduate and graduate student communities.

Kameo Quenga

Associate Director 

Contact Kameo at kquenga@ucsd.edu

As Associate Director of the Hub Basic Needs Center, Kameo (she/her) oversees internal operations of Hub services and aims to center both professional and student staff wellness. She aims to utilize data and assessment to right-size how our services can continue to support the ever-changing needs of our student populations. She serves as the liaison between Basic Needs and Case Management Services, with goals to maximize both on and off campus partnerships as it relates to tackling basic needs challenges through a collaborative and justice-oriented lens.

Kameo brings lived experiences from both the Bay Area & South Sacramento which allows her to recognize that alleviating basic needs challenges for our students cannot be done alone. Basic Needs are retention efforts.

 

Operations Staff

Maria Carmen Gonzalez 

Basic Needs Program Coordinator
Contact Maria Carmen at mcg008@ucsd.edu

As the Basic Needs Coordinator, Carmen (she/ella) focuses on supporting students by providing holistic consultations in regards to their access to food, stable housing, and financial wellness resources. Carmen also helps run the basic needs center by overlooking the center daily operations and student staff.
Before this role, Carmen was completing her Master’s degree at the University of San Francisco (USFCA)! During her graduate experience, she served as an Assistant Residence Director (ARD) within Residential Life for two years. She also had the opportunity to support the food pantry during her graduate experience. Lastly, she also worked at UCSD within the Student Affairs Case Management (SACM) on campus during the summer.
Carmen is a proud first generation Latinx college graduate. She is passionate about uplifting student leaders in their roles and addressing challenges within basic needs to support UCSD college students.

Food Security Staff

Haley Okamoto

Assistant Director of Food Security Programs

Email Haley at hokamoto@ucsd.edu

As the Assistant Director of Food Security Programs, Haley (she/her) oversees a portfolio of essential programs, including CalFresh Outreach, Triton Food Pantry, and the Food Recovery Network. Haley is dedicated to building strong, collaborative relationships with both campus and community partners to deliver cohesive services and information that address UC San Diego students' basic needs. In her role, she is involved in the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of food security programs, continuously seeking new initiatives to grow the food security portfolio.

As a Kanaka Maoli/Indigenous scholar, Haley aims to bring a decolonial approach to addressing food security with a focus on food sovereignty. Haley brings lived experience from growing up in Hawaiʻi to attending college in Oregon, which allows her to understand the importance of access to culturally relevant and sustainable food options.

 

Beatriz Chavez Vega 

Food Programs Coordinator

Email Beatriz at bchavezvega@ucsd.edu

 

Beatriz manages the programmatic and administrative support to the portfolio of food security programs, including but not limited to the Triton Food Pantry, Food Recovery Network, and other supplemental nutrition assistance programs. Her previous work included supporting and managing the Associated Students Food Pantry at San Diego State University.

 

 

 

 

Isabel Rodriguez 

CalFresh Coordinator

Email Isabel at isr018@ucsd.edu

As the CalFresh Program Coordinator, Isabel (she/her)
oversees the CalFresh portfolio and student operations. She serves as an advocate for students in need by keeping up-to-date on CalFresh policies, expanding program initiatives, and collaborating with the many community partners including the County of San Diego, the San Diego Food Bank, and more.

Isabel possess a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and a Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Psychology to further her understanding of student development and education systems overall. Her previous experience in Student Life & Leadership and Basic Needs at Palomar College provided her with valuable insight into the barriers students face when accessing essential resources. As a first-generation Latina and advocate for equitable education, Isabel is committed to addressing food insecurity and helping students access the resources necessary to thrive both academically and personally. 

Housing Security Staff

Vacant

Basic Needs Housing Specialist

Marissa Islas

Basic Needs Housing & Education Resource Coordinator
Email Marissa at mjislas@ucsd.edu

As the Housing and Education Assistant, Marissa (she/her) focuses on supporting access to safe and stable housing for students at UC San Diego. She informs students of housing resources through their transition from on-campus to off-campus living. The main purpose of this position is to develop short-term and long-term strategies to address food and housing insecurity on campus. Additionally, Marissa supervises the Basic Needs Peer Education Program which is our basic needs outreach team.
Before this role, Marissa was a Peer Educator Student Lead at The Hub. She is passionate about providing basic needs accessibility for students at UC San Diego through the administration and retention of resources. 

 

Natalia Hernandez

Basic Needs Rapid Rehousing Coordinator 
Cal State San Marcos, B.A., Capella University, M.A.
As the Basic Needs Graduate Assistant, Natalia Hernandez (they/them) meets one-on-one with students to help connect them with Basic Needs resources and helps connect students with the appropriate Basic Needs staff.
Before this role, Natalia Hernandez worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for nearly a decade. Using Applied Behavior Analysis, they worked one-on-one with children who had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and helped them learn new skills and improve their social interactions. Natalia is currently in school, working towards their master's in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Natalia is a first-generation American, college graduate, and the first in their family to pursue a master's degree. Outside of their professional work, Natalia is a proud member of the California Native Plant Society and an avid gardener of native plant species.

 

 

Maya Thankamushy

Basic Needs Marketing IA/UX and Communication Assistant
Business Psychology and Communication 

Maya is a second year student at UCSD who is passionate about marketing and supporting her community. She hopes to use her skills in marketing and design to spread awareness about different Basic Needs resources and improve access to food, housing, and financial resources. 

Gia Nghi Tran

Basic Needs Marketing IA/UX and Communication Assistant
Cognitive Science Spec. Design and Interaction

Nghi (she/her) is currently a third year transfer at UCSD! She hopes to be able to help her design and arts skills as well as my love for content creation to bring awareness and create a community where every student can feel supportive and safe. In the future she hopes to pursue a career in UX/UI/product design and create product that can make people life better!

Kei Napoli Dorantes

Basic Needs Marketing IA/UX and Communication Assistant
Music

As a transfer student from the Bay Area, Kei (they/them) is excited to bring their lived experiences to the team, helping their peers learn about and feel safe accessing our resources to uplift them in their academic journeys. They can't wait to create content and connect with the community, learning from their peers and spreading awareness, access, and acceptance in the UCSD community. In the future, they aim to become an educator, teaching Music!

Kristin Patio

Basic Needs Marketing IA/UX and Communication Assistant
Cognitive Science Spec. Design and Interaction, Minor in Communication

Through the MarComm team, Kristin (she/her) hopes to give back to UCSD and make fellow students feel identified and welcomed on campus. She aims to use her creative skills to help increase awareness of the Basic Needs Center's mission and the idea of basic needs. In the future, she hopes to work in design fields to be able to create change and empower others.

Nella Sak

Basic Needs Marketing IA/UX and Communication Assistant
Cognitive Science Spec. Design and Interaction

Nella (she/her) enjoys blending UX design and research into community outreach. She plans to implement student feedback consistently and ensure her work reflects the student body's sentiments and goals.

Antonia Reconco 

Lead, Basic Needs Personal Hygiene Program Assistant 
Business Economics and Political Science

Antonia (she/her) is passionate about basic needs work because she believes everyone deserves access to essential resources. She hopes to expand access to basic needs services, especially for underserved communities and help create a more equitable and accessible system for everyone.

Talisa Arellano

Basic Needs Personal Hygiene Program Assistant 
Global Health and Economics

As a Basic Needs Assistant Talisa (she/her) has been able to connect students with vital resources and necessities to offer support to students navigating their basic needs during their educational experience. Being able to be a part of the direct impact the Personal Hygiene Program offers has allowed Talisa to foster an inclusive environment for students to be able to access their needs while simultaneously fighting against the stigma that is be associated with these resources. Majoring in Global Health and Economics, she hopes to be able to utilize my experience at The HUB to build the necessary foundation to pursue a career focused on healthcare economics and policy!

Abby Christensen

Basic Needs Personal Hygiene Program Assistant 
Psychology

Abby (she/her) is incredibly excited to be making an impact in her student community by providing access to hygiene resources. She aspires to create a welcoming space for all students, and give them what they need in order to attain success at UCSD.

Kristina Aguilar

Basic Needs Personal Hygiene Program Assistant 
Global Health, Minor in General Biology

As a first-generation Mexican American student majoring in Global Health, Kristina (she/her) is passionate about making students feel welcomed and supported when accessing basic needs resources. Through her role as a Personal Hygiene Program Assistant, she hopes to reduce the stigma around seeking support and help create a space where every student is treated with dignity and respect.

Pagani Hong

Basic Needs Personal Hygiene Program Assistant 
Pharmacological Chemistry

As the Personal Hygiene Program Assistant, Pagani (he/him) is dedicated to support the Triton community and provide hygienic resources for students' academic and personal journeys.

Shayla Roman-Talavera

Basic Needs Personal Hygiene Program Assistant 
General Biology

Shayla (she/her) is looking forward to creating a safe space where UCSD students can easily reach out for help. She wants to create awareness for her fellow freshmen about the resources offered at Basic Needs and destigmatize asking for help.

Abraham Sirias

Basic Needs Personal Hygiene Program Assistant 
Business Economics

Abraham is a Business Economics transfer student at UC San Diego. His experience as a Spanish tutor and Soccer Club organizer at De Anza College inspired him to help students connect with resources and feel supported. He is excited to be part of the Basic Needs team.

Dailyn Alonzo Alviso

Basic Needs Operation Assistant
Educational Sciences, Minor in Sociology

As a Basic Needs Operations Assistant, Dailyn (she/her/ella) strives to make UCSD a welcoming environment, creating an "it takes a village mentality" to let our students know you are not alone. Her passion for providing our students with equitable resources aims to allow them to feel seen and heard. Following graduation. Dailyn plans to pursue a career in education inspiring the future generations to reach for the stars.

Maggie Sy

Basic Needs Operation Assistant
Political Science, Minor in Educational Studies

Maggie (she/her) is passionate about making basic needs resources feel welcoming, accessible, and stigma-free for all students. Through her time with Basic Needs, she's especially valued the relationships she's built with students and her coworkers and the opportunity to contribute to a supportive campus community.

Xiomara Lopez

Basic Needs Operation Assistant
Global Health

Xiomara is a third year studying global health with interest in the pre-dental track! She has been working at The Hub for about a year now however she was a student volunteer for the personal hygiene program! What drove her to spend more time here was the community and peace that The Hub brought me which is continuously cultivated by the student workers and full-time staff! Her favorite thing about her position is interacting with many students and knowing that by sharing these services she is helping out students directly and indirectly and making their path to higher education a little bit easier.

Alejandro Mendoza Valentin

Basic Needs Operations Assistant 
Neurobiology

Alejandro (he/him) is a 4th year neurobiology student at UCSD. He is excited to be able to part of the Basic Needs Team. He enjoys watching movies with his friends and trying out new restaurants. He also plays tennis in his free time. He hopes to be able to get to know and work with everyone.

Oluwatolani (Tolani) Olanrewaju Ojo

Basic Needs Operations Assistant 
Public Health, Minor in Dance

Oluwatolani, short for Tolani, is a passionate student dedicated to creating welcoming and supportive spaces where everyone can access the resources they need to thrive. As a Basic Needs Operations Assistant, she is excited to support the day-to-day operations of the Hub and help connect students with essential resources and services. 

Beyki Tzompantzi Perez

Basic Needs Operation Assistant
Psychology

Beyki is a transfer student at UCSD. As a basic needs operations assistant, she is excited to support the campus community! Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with school work and meeting new people!

Salma Adlinsyah

Basic Needs Operation Assistant
Human Biology

Salma (she/her) is a second-year Human Biology student at UC San Diego. Having the opportunity to experience lives in different countries, she noticed the stark differences in access to healthcare and resources. She has developed a strong interest in healthcare and health equity, especially in making health-related resources and information more accessible to communities. She hopes to continue exploring healthcare while being a bridge that connects students with the resources and support they need to thrive.

Herson Moraga

Basic Needs Operation Assistant
Math-Econ/Accounting

Herson (he/him) is a fourth-year student majoring in Math-Econ. During his free time, he likes going out with friends, working out, and going to concerts. He joined the Basic Needs Center in order to contribute more to the UCSD population by providing guidance about all of the different resources available.

Keying Yao

Basic Needs Peer Educator 
Bioinformatics

As a Basic Needs Peer Educator, Keying (she/her) is dedicated to breaking information barriers and promoting equitable access to food, transportation, and housing for students and community members. She believes that when people’s basic needs are met, they can fully focus on learning, living, and exploring their potential. In the future, she hopes to use bioinformatics to improve public health, and dreams of volunteering at an animal shelter alongside her beloved cat.

Meelo Antillon

Basic Needs Peer Educator 
Political Science

Meelo (they/them) is a first generation college student and the first person in their family to attend university straight out of high school! They aspire to work in government after they graduate to uplift marginalized communities and make basic needs accessible for everyone!

Sakshi Raichand

Basic Needs Peer Educator 
Global Health

Sakshi (she/her) hopes to help others and connect them with resources as well as make UCSD a more welcoming environment for everyone.

Tiffany Ji

Basic Needs Peer Educator 
Public Health with Concentration in Medicine Sciences

Tiffany (she/her) believes that asking for support and receiving help should never feel like something students have to navigate alone. As a Public Health major, she's passionate about health equity and creating a sense of belonging in the community. She hopes to make campus resources easier to access, understand, and feel comfortable using. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, spending time with family/friends, and discovering new places around San Diego.

Kirsten Trinh

Basic Needs Peer Educator 
Visual Art (Studio)/Anthropology (Socio-cultural) with Minors in Critical Gender Studies and Education Studies

As a Peer Educator, Kirsten (she/her) aims to help establish a relationship between the students of UCSD and the resources of the HUB Basic Needs Center through education and advocacy. She works along with staff to close the gap between marginalized students and accessibility to resources and higher education, she hopes to ensure a better quality of student life! Outside of work, Kirsten is a member of the UCSD Triton Pokémon League and loves all things Nintendo and Animated, so please feel free to chat to her about anything fun!

Samarah Cecil

Basic Needs Peer Educator 
Public Health with a Minor in Finance

Samarah (she/her) is a Public Health major who is passionate about health equity and making essential resources more accessible to students. As a Basic Needs Peer Educator, she aims to create a welcoming and supportive environment where she can help students navigate their basic needs.

Subhang Yerramsetti

Basic Needs Peer Educator 
Cognitive Science, Specializing in Machine Learning and Neural Computation

Subhang (Subbu, he/him) is a junior at Thurgood Marshall College majoring in Cognitive Science. He co-founded Edugrow, a nonprofit focused on nutrition and education, which shaped his interest in student well-being. He looks to serve as a Basic Needs and Off-Campus Life Peer Educator and help connect students with the resources they need to thrive.

Moazzma Chaudhary

Basic Needs Peer Educator 
Public Health

Moazzma (she/her) is a dedicated student advocate who believes that together, we form a powerful team capable of ensuring our basic needs are met. Her mission is to cultivate a healthy, supportive environment at UC San Diego. One where students can focus entirely on their future careers without the burden of worrying about basic survival needs.

Vedant Vardhaan

Basic Needs Peer Educator 
Data Science with a minor in Finance

Vedant (he/him) is a fourth-year Data Science major with a Finance minor. He joined The Hub as a Peer Educator in Fall 2025 because he believes every Triton deserves reliable access to food, housing, and the resources to thrive at UCSD. His hobbies include travelling, cooking, hiking, and going to new restaurants and cafes.a

Mohammad Abdulrahman

Basic Needs Peer Educator 
Neuroscience

Mohammad (he/him) is a transfer student from Norco College! He is a foodie who enjoys meeting new people.

Arely Ortega (she/her)

Triton Food Pantry Manager, Co-Lead
Developmental Psychology

Arely (she/her) is a Triton Food Pantry Manager and a third year Developmental Psychology major. She loves to talk and meet new people, which is one of the reasons she loves this work. She gets to see, meet, and create ties with so many different people from the UC San Diego community every day while bridging basic needs! Outside of school, she loves doing her nails, making dinner with her friends, and going out spontaneously. After undergrad, she aspires to go to grad school for Social Work! 

Amelia Yum

Triton Food Pantry Manager, Co-Lead
Cognitive Science (Spec. Design and Interaction)

As a Co-lead for the Triton Food Pantry, Amelia (she/her) is passionate about raising awareness of food insecurity and the resources available to the UCSD community. After graduation, she aspires to become a UI designer, where she aims to blend her creativity and problem-solving skills to develop impactful tools for positive change.

Chloe Seoyeon Mun

Triton Food Pantry Manager, Co-Lead
General Biology and Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience

As a Co-Lead at the Triton Food Pantry, Chloe (she/her) is dedicated to combating food insecurity by increasing awareness of the resources available to students and creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone. She works to educate students about the pantry and its resources while promoting accessible, healthy food options through quick and easy recipes using ingredients available at the pantry. Double majoring in General Biology and Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience, she is building the skills to pursue a career focused on psychological and neurodevelopmental well-being.

Alex Bejarano Guerrero 

Triton Food Pantry Driver, Co-Lead
Human Biology & Global Health

Alex (he/him) is a Triton Food Pantry Driver and a fourth year student double majoring in Human Biology and Global Health. Now entering his third year as a Triton Food Pantry Manager, Alex has developed a strong commitment to supporting food security and making basic needs resources more accessible to students. Through his time at the pantry, he has enjoyed working alongside fellow students, building a welcoming and supportive environment, and helping the organization continue to serve the UC San Diego community. He looks forward to using the experience and leadership skills he has gained over the past few years to support his team, strengthen pantry operations, and continue making a positive impact on students across campus. 

Kylie Paragas

Triton Food Pantry Driver 
Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Management

Kylie (she/her) is a Triton Food Pantry delivery driver and a Public Health major with a concentration in Health Policy and Management. She strives to create accessible resources for all students. As a CalFresh recipient herself, she wants to provide others with the same opportunity and create a welcoming environment. She hopes to become a Health Policy Analyst to shape laws that govern public health and healthcare as a whole. 

Victor Lopez-Galarza

Triton Food Pantry Driver 
Economics

Victor (he/him) is a Triton Food Pantry Driver and an Economics major. He is passionate about economics and likes playing sports, watching TV, and playing video games in his free time. 

Andres Flores

Triton Food Pantry Driver 
Physics

Andres (he/him) is a Triton Food Pantry Driver and a Physics major. He is passionate about supporting others and helping create a more inclusive and supportive community at UCSD. He hopes to help reduce the stigma surrounding basic needs resources and encourage students to feel comfortable seeking the support they need to succeed academically and personally. Through this work, he hopes to continue making a positive impact and advocating for accessible resources for all students. 

Ethan Ly 

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Public Health: Concentration in Epidemiology

Ethan (he/him) is the Triton Food Pantry Manager and a third year Public Health major with a concentration in Epidemiology. He doesn’t want students to have to worry about food and hygiene during their time in university. He believes students should be able to put all of their attention toward their academic and career goals, not stress over having something to eat at the end of each day. 

Ariel Piansay

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Human Biology

Ariel (she/her) is a Triton Food Pantry Manager and a Human Biology major. As a Food Pantry Manager, she looks forward to supporting the UCSD community by increasing access to basic needs resources, including healthy food options. She hopes to help foster a safe and supportive environment that supplements the overall health and well-being of the community. 

Natasha George

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Human Biology (Major), Global Health (Minor)

Natasha (she/her) is a Triton Food Pantry Manager and a second year Human Biology major with a minor in Global Health. She is passionate about combating food insecurity on campus by providing free, nutritious food for all students. She hopes to create a welcoming and comfortable space for everyone and is excited to meet new people through her position. After graduating, she hopes to pursue a career in medicine. 

Noelle Chen

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Bioengineering:Biotechnology & Accounting Minor

Noelle (she/her) is a Triton Food Pantry Manager and a second year Bioengineering: Biotechnology major with a minor in Accounting. She is passionate about improving access to basic needs while creating a welcoming community for students. She hopes that she can foster a safe space for students seeking support in order to encourage future success through completion of personal and career-related goals. 

Emmanuel Florentino

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
International Business

Emmanuel (he/him) is a Triton Food Pantry Manager and an International Business major. He is passionate about making a meaningful and positive impact in the UCSD community and the greater San Diego area. He grew up in Orange County and loves working out, traveling, cooking, and exploring new places. 

Catherine Espana

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Cognitive Science Neuroscience (Major), General Biology (Minor)

Catherine (she/her) is a Triton Food Pantry Manager and a fourth year Cognitive Science major with a specialization in Neuroscience and a minor in General Biology. She wants to be a passionate advocate against food waste and hopes to ease the lives of already burdened college students facing food insecurity on campus. Going on her third year with the Triton Food Pantry, Catherine has become part of an incredibly welcoming and supportive community and wishes to pass that feeling on to every student who steps foot in the pantry. 

Silvia Dominguez

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Public health with concentration in Medicine Sciences

Silvia (she/her) is a Triton Food Pantry Manager and a Public Health major with a concentration in Medicine Sciences. She is a big foodie, gym lover, and someone who loves spending time with family and friends. She’s always down for good food, fun conversations, and making new memories. She loves helping others, spreading positivity, and making people feel welcomed and supported. She’s excited to make the pantry a welcoming space where everyone feels supported and included! 

Sean Tripattanapong

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Public Health

Sean (he/him) is a Triton Food Pantry Manager and a Public Health major. His public health coursework inspired him to put what he learns in the classroom into practice by serving his campus community. Through Basic Needs, he hopes to learn from students’ experiences and help create a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable accessing the resources they need. Outside the classroom, he enjoys watching soccer and listening to music. 

Jayson Pagaduan

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Business Economics

Jayson (he/him) is a Triton Food Pantry Manager and a Business Economics major. He hopes to support students as they pursue their education at UCSD. By combating food insecurity, he is determined to foster an environment where students feel stable and supported. 

Nhu Lam

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Human Biology & Minor in Bioethics

Nhu (she/her) is excited to meet new folks and support the UCSD community. As a first-generation student and immigrant, she understands the struggles of others, as well as the support they might need, conscious of the current climate. She also wants to get to know new people! She shares, "Let's do this!"

Diana Nguyen

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Cognitive Science; Specialization in Machine Learning and Neural Computation

Diana (she/her) is a second-year majoring in Cognitive Science: Machine Learning and Neural Computation, passionate about advancing healthcare innovation while prioritizing equity and education. She is dedicated to addressing food insecurity on campus by ensuring every student has adequate support and access to the Triton Food Pantry. As a first-generation student, she aims to foster a stigma-free environment where everyone feels supported both academically and personally!

Thaliya Chanel Pecson

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Structural Engineering, Dance

Thaliya (she/her) is from the Bay Area. She's been going to the Triton Food Pantry since she was a freshman and has loved what the pantry stood for and the support it gave students. She is a Structural Engineering major and a dance minor lobes dabbling in different hobbies.

Gene Hur

Triton Food Pantry Driver 
Applied Math

Gene (he/him) is a first-year Applied Math major at Seventh College. He is excited to see what upper-div/proof based math classes are like. He loves cooking, track, and field.

Ariel Villegas

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
General Biology Major with Human Development Science Minor

As a Triton Food Pantry Manager, Ariel (she/her) hopes to provide students with a safe environment where she can aid them in dealing with food insecurity. She wants to help maintain the pantry to continue to allow all students access to healthy, affordable food.

Sylvia Lim

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Public Health Concentration in Health Policy and Management Sciences Minor: Economics

Sylvia (she/her) aspires to provide a welcoming environment at the Triton Food Pantry so that all students can receive the help they need. In her free time, she likes to draw, hang out with friends, and journal.

Julia Vu

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Sociology Major, Education Studies Minor

Julia (she/her) is passionate about making sure all students receive care and respect here at the TFP. Through her academic, work, and campus experiences, she's developed a strong interest in youth work, promoting mental health, and expanding access to basic needs resources. She looks to create a supportive environment where everyone feels heard and empowered.

Amina Ahmed

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Political Science: Public Policy

Amina is passionate about creating greater access to basic needs for all students, hence joining as a TFP Manager. She has really enjoyed working at UC San Diego because it has given her opportunities to support and serve her community. After graduating, Amina hopes to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy and eventually join an environmental nonprofit focused on making the environment a safe place.

Aiden Frank

Triton Food Pantry Manager 
Political Science: Public Law

Aidan (he/him) is a Political Science major and a manager at the Triton Food Pantry. He looks to join the fight against insecurity.

Duan Chen

Triton Food Pantry Driver 
Math & Economics

Duan (he/him) is a fourth-year Muir transfer student starting their first campus job at the Triton Food Pantry. He looks to deliver delicious and fresh food to students.

Kayla Chea

CalFresh Outreach Assistant
Business Economics

Kayla (she/her) is a Business Economics major passionate about connecting students to food security resources and ensuring that students are receiving the basic needs support they need to focus on their academics and wellbeing. She hopes to make CalFresh more accessible for students and contribute to student advocacy that protects these basic needs programs.

Baihe Jin

CalFresh Outreach Assistant
Linguistics & Cognitive Science

Baihe (she/he) is a 3rd year student majoring in Cognitive Science and Linguistics. Baihe is passionate about bridging the gap between students and essential resources. He hopes to create a positive impact by making food assistance programs more accessible and transparent. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, crafting, and listening to classical music.

Yoltzin Zurita

CalFresh Outreach Assistant
Public Health—Medicine Sciences

Yoltzin Zurita (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student earning a B.S in Public Health with a Concentration in Medicine Sciences. As a CalFresh Outreach Assistant, Yoltzin hopes to raise awareness about on- and off-campus food assistance programs and other basic needs resources for students. During her time working at the Basic Needs Hub, she strives to create a safe space for students to receive the best support.

Mary Nguyen

CalFresh Outreach Assistant
Human Biology; Healthcare-Social Issues

Mary (she/her) hopes to support students by alleviating stress surrounding basic needs, especially food assistance. In her free time, she enjoys working out, going to the beach, and watch cooking videos.

Uzueth (Uzi) Ramirez-Gallegos

CalFresh Outreach Assistant
Public Health; Minor in Biology

Uzi (she/her) is a 4th year Public Health major; she enjoys exploring the city of San Diego and finding new food spots!

Aruna Ananthanarayanan

CalFresh Outreach Assistant
Public Health: Epidemiology

Aruna (she/her) is passionate about building inclusive access to basic needs resources, improving student quality of life, and ultimately boosting student confidence and performance by providing a sense of security and well-being on campus. She hopes that through her work as a CalFresh Outreach Assistant, she is able to provide direct support to students from all backgrounds in receiving the resources and access they deserve!

Alma Abril Moncada

CalFresh Outreach Assistant
Political Science: Public Law

Alma Abril Moncada (she/her) is a 3rd year pre-law student who is passionate about helping communities access free and essential resources. Through her experience at Legal Aid where she connects individuals with legal guidance, she recognizes how meaningful it can be to connect people to the support they to access difficult and intimidating systems. Alma is excited to continue this work by helping her peers access CalFresh benefits and other basic needs resources through her new role as a Cal Fresh Outreach Assistant!

Sofia Lucero

Food Security Educator (College Corp/REISS Fellows)
Public Health

Sofia (she/her) is a 1st-year student majoring in Public Health. She loves listening to music and serving the community around her.

Katherine Perez

Food Security Educator (College Corp/REISS Fellows)
Pharmacological Chemistry

Through her position at the Basic Needs Center, Katherine (she/her) wants to create a welcoming space for students and remove the stigma around food insecurity. While majoring in Pharmacological Chemistry, Katherine strives for all students to feel comfortable utilizing the resources the Basic Needs Center offers, no matter the stage of need they are in.

Vanessa Miranda

Food Security Educator (College Corp/REISS Fellows)
Sociology & Global Health

Vanessa (she/her/ella) is a Sociology and Global Health major originally from the San Gabriel Valley in LA County. She has a deep passion for social justice and advocating for basic human rights. Vanessa hopes to help build a supportive community and encourage further conversations regarding basic needs.