These undergraduate and graduate students share their advice, memories, gratitude, and encouragement for their fellow Gauchos. Read their words below — just make sure the tissues are in reach!
Jessica De Castro
B.S. Zoology
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
Undergraduate student researcher for a project at the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration; member of the Vietnamese Students Association.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
Get out of your comfort zone and explore, as well as making the most of the resources that you have available to you. Something as simple as taking a different route to class through campus, or going to speak to a professor at their office hours.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
Making the most of the local and academic connections that I've made during my time at UCSB, and gaining practical experience through post-bachelors internships, jobs, and volunteer work in wildlife conservation and research.
Mohamed Elfouly
Electrical Engineering
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
Officer in UCSB IEEE; secretary of the Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honors Society).
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
Sometimes you have to make your own luck. Seeking and putting in the effort to follow up on opportunities is often enough to actually get them.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
Obtain a Master's degree in electrical and computer engineering. UCSB has prepared me well, allowing me to meet professors, participate in research, and provided me an opportunity to meet the people who have offered me jobs and internships.
Asher Rose
Sociology
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
Director of Kesem at UCSB, a nonprofit organization supporting children with parents impacted by cancer; tour guide with the Gaucho Tour Association.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
Prioritizing balance. It is important to remember that you only have a short period here, making it all the more important that you pursue all of the exciting academic opportunities available, but also explore and enjoy what the UCSB community has to offer beyond just academics.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
Going to start a PhD at Notre Dame in Sociology next fall. UCSB has strongly prepared me for a PhD by giving me access to a multitude of research opportunities like helping faculty members with their own projects or designing and executing self-led research.
Samantha Banos
Actuarial Science
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
UCSB Women's Swimming - NCAA Division 1 Team Captain; Actuarial Association community development director.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
Embrace change and growth rather than resist it. Growth comes from showing up and being open to new experiences and opportunities. At the same time, balancing academics, athletics, and a social life taught me the importance of perspective. I’ve learned to step back and appreciate how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place and be surrounded by great people.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
Begin my career as an actuary while continuing to compete internationally with the Colombian National Team. Balancing a rigorous academic schedule alongside 20-hour training weeks during my time at UCSB has prepared me well for this next chapter, strengthening my time management, discipline, and drive to pursue my goals both professionally and athletically.
Erick Morales Oyola
Aquatic Biology and Environmental Science
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
Scuba Club, Surfrider’s Blue Water Task Force, marine labs through the Marine Science Institute.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned at UCSB is that some of the most important growth happens outside the classroom. I learned so much from my classes, but also from the unexpected people I met in them, the friendships built during long fieldwork days, and mentors who helped me see what kind of scientist and person I want to become.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
I’ll be continuing at UCSB to begin my PhD in marine science, focusing on coral reef resilience and land-sea connections with the Burkepile Lab. UCSB gave me the chance to turn my scientific curiosity into real experience, supported by mentorship from an incredibly collaborative and encouraging research community.
Nicole Xu
Statistics & Data Science, Economics, Linguistics
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
Alpha Sigma Kappa – Women in Technical Studies, Data Science Club, Daily Nexus, Data Science Capstone, PSTAT Peer Advisor, UCSB Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad at UCSB, Phi Beta Kappa
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
Don't hold yourself back! Take advantage of any and all opportunities that may come your way since that's the only decision you make. Everything else (e.g. whether or not you get accepted) is not under your control but the most important decision you have to make is to just take that first step.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
I will be taking a gap year to travel and continuing to advance my skills. I have met such a variety of people all with rich life experiences, and it has helped me understand that everyone's path is different and that I can take my time.
Marcellino Pena
Electrical Engineering
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
Photonic Society, IEEE, optical, MESA, SPIE, Chancellor’s student council, Professor Daniel Blumenthal, optical communications and atomic quantum photonic integration group.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
The only difference between another individual and you is knowledge and understanding.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
As I embark in Photonics Engineering, the distinguished professors have given me the best advice, ideas and guidance I could have possibly received. Now it’s my turn to shine in the world and always remember to give back.
Suraya A. Martinez
Art
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
UCSB Club, KCSB Radio Host, Isla Vista Elementary School TK Volunteer, Transfer Admissions Intern.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
The biggest lesson that I have learned during my time at UCSB, is to welcome every opportunity, challenge, and new experiences with open arms.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
During my time at UCSB working towards a minor in Educational Studies, I had the opportunity to work with young students, introducing the free expression of art to them. My future endeavors will consist of merging my two interests, working with organizations to provide schools in need with art programs.
Tyler Ross Friedman
Environmental Studies, GIS, and History of Art and Architecture
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
APA Sustainable Communities Division, Gauchos Go Green, IV Surfrider, CEES Peer Mentor, three internships.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
I've really learned the importance of acknowledging that everyone is on their own path on their own timeline.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
I have accepted a full-time return offer at Introba. I will be operating as a Sustainability Analyst in their NYC office and my primary responsibilities will include providing consulting support for green building certifications, assisting in life-cycle analysis, and conducting research to aid in ESG and other corporate reporting initiatives.
Rohil Devang Shah
Computing, College of Creative Studies
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
Founder and Co-President of the official student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Community Chair for Indus.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
The most significant lesson I learned at UCSB has been the power of community and the importance of taking the initiative to belong to one.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
I'm at Google as a Software Engineering intern and then heading to Stanford University in Fall 2026 to pursue a Master of Science in Computer Science. I am also deeply honored to have received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to support my graduate studies.
Lorenzo Johnson
Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
UCSB Gospel Choir and UCSB Opera
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
I have learned how to maintain my focus on the end goal even when it may seem like everything is chaotic.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
I plan to continue my role as a university voice instructor and promote into a full-time Assistant Professor position. UCSB has provided many teaching opportunities in various areas across the music discipline.
Kathleen Zhang
English and Cell & Developmental Biology
Clubs, sports and extracurriculars:
CSEP SIMS and NIH MARC Scholar, Undergrad Researcher in Dr. Meghan Morrissey's Lab (MCDB) and URCA Peer Mentor
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your time at UCSB?
The importance of using this time to explore widely, but also being willing to go deep when something truly resonates.
What are your future endeavors, and how has UCSB prepared you for them?
I plan to work as a research associate during my gap years before applying to PhD programs in cancer biology or biomedical science. UCSB has given me the space to really grow in the lab and solidify my interest in pursuing research long-term.