Connecting Students, Building Community
Our Peer Mentors are an integral part of the University Honors Program community. Drawing from their own experiences as Honors students, they provide approachable, peer-to-peer support that helps students navigate the program and UC Merced.
Mentors assist their peers in the University Honors Program by engaging in meaningful conversations, establishing connections, and encouraging students to become active members of the Honors community.
More than a resource, our Peer Mentors are community builders. They create spaces where questions and conversations are always welcome, and remind students that they do not have to navigate their college experience alone. Through their leadership and care, Peer Mentors strengthen the sense of belonging that makes the Honors community so special.
Your Peers. Your Community. Your Mentors.
Lorie Ann Henry
2025 - 2026; 2026 - 2027
3rd Year in UHP, 3rd Year at UCM
Major: Environmental Engineer
School of Engineering
Kudrat Virk
2026 - 2027
3rd Year in UHP, 3rd Year at UCM
Major: Management and Business Economics
School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts
Dear Honors Students, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Step out, explore new opportunities, challenge yourself, and embrace every chance to grow. You never know where taking that first step might lead you.
Megan Tran
2026 - 2027
2nd Year in UHP, 2nd Year at UCM
Major: Biological Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Dear Honors Students, don't stress about constantly striving for perfection in a world that is meant to be imperfect. Be easy on yourself and spend some time chasing after butterflies.
Hemal Ammepalli
2026 - 2027
3rd Year in UHP, 3rd Year at UCM
Major: Bioengineering
School of Engineering
Dear Honors Students, remember not every day will be your day. A tough day shows progress and a good day shows achievement. No matter how difficult the journey may feel, keep moving forward and view setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities to learn.
Celebrating Our Peer Mentor Legacy
Every generation of Peer Mentors leaves its mark on the University Honors Program. Through their leadership, compassion, and willingness to invest in others, they have helped build a culture in which students support one another, meaningful connections can grow, and everyone has the opportunity to find their place within Honors.
To our former Peer Mentors, thank you for helping pave the way for those who follow. Whether through fun conversations, study sessions, shared experiences, or simply being a familiar and friendly face, you have made an impact that extends far beyond your time in the role.
We are deeply grateful for the care that you all have shown the Honors community - you will always be part of the UHP Peer Mentor legacy!
Swetha Balamurugan
2024 - 2025
Inaugural Peer Mentor
Class of 2026
Majors: Management and Business Economics; Political Science; Psychology
Minor: Cognitive Science
School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts
Shruthi Rao
2024 - 2025; 2025 - 2026
Inaugural Peer Mentor
Class of 2027
Major: Computer Science and Engineering
School of Engineering
Lily Domer
3rd Year in UHP; 3rd Year at UCM
Major: Political Science
School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts
