Team Leaders are mentors who want to take a more active role in YSP. They apply for the position at the end of the school year and are the liaisons between mentors and office staff. Their role is to offer support to their team of mentors as well as plan events, facilitate meetings, and help run the program in general.
If you are a mentor interested in becoming a Team Leader for the next academic year, we invite you to apply during the Spring semester. Inquire in the office about official deadlines.
Team Leaders
Adam Blazej
Major: PhilosophyExpected Graduation Year: Fall 2011
Hobbies/Interests: studying philosophy, reading fiction (esp. Hemingway and Dostoevsky), kayaking, hiking, running, traveling, and photography
Bio: I lived in southern California until I transferred from Moorpark Community College to UC Berkeley in Fall 2008. I have been involved in YSP since coming to Berkeley. It is pretty unbelievable how much being involved in YSP has enriched my experience here at Cal. When I grow up, I want to be a pro-philosopher.
Favorite Movie: Cast Away
Favorite Song: Echoes by Pink Floyd
Lauren Dansey
Minor:
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Faviola Garcia
Minor: Education & Public Policy
Expected Graduation Year: Spring 2011
Interests/Hobbies: I love painting, drawing, sleeping, hanging out with friends and family, dancing, psychology, volunteering and traveling.
Bio: Hi, my name is Faviola. I was born in Fullerton, CA and raised in Brea, CA (near Disneyland). I have three sisters and two brothers. I am currently a third year at UC Berkeley. This is my second semester with YSP and I really enjoy meeting all the mentors and mentees every semester. I hope that after graduating to pursue a career as a clinical psychologist helping the Latin@ community.
Favorite Movie: I love movies, so I’m narrowed it to three: Bajo la Misma Luna, Scarface and Ever After.
Favorite Song: Three of my top favorites are: Jay-z “99 Problems”, La Oreja de Van Gogh “Rosas” and Bobby Pulido “Desvelado”
Peter Soliman
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology and Religious StudiesExpected Graduation Year: 2012
Hobbies/Interests: Church, traveling, going on random/spontaneous
adventures, watching movies
Bio: I was born in the Chicagoan suburb of Des Plaines, Illinois, lived
in Egypt and Saudi Arabia for almost a year, and moved back to Chicago
where I was raised until the age of 8. I then moved to Southern California in the small city of Redlands, CA. I have been at Berkeley since 2008. After graduation, I wish to apply to medical school to someday become a general practitioner, or some sort of surgeon. I speak English, Arabic, and Spanish. My favorite sport is basketball, and my is one of the best friends I have ever had. I learn from him everyday.
Favorite Movie: Beautiful Mind
Favorite Song: Life in Technicolor-Coldplay
Kyle Troutman
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Suman Venkataswamy
Major: Pre-Business/Computer ScienceExpected Graduation Year: 2012
Interests/Hobbies: Traveling and exploring, Watching movies, Cooking
Bio: I was born and raised in Schaumburg, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). This is my second year in YSP and my second year at Cal. I spend most of my free time hanging out with friends and watching The Office. I plan on studying abroad in the spring of 2011 somewhere in Southeast Asia. Although I am definitely not the most renowned chef, I love to make new and interesting meals. My most famous dish is spicy veggie burgers made from scratch.
Favorite Movie: Dumb and Dumber
Favorite Song: Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers