Shahe Dishakjian
Co-Chief
Biology, Class of 2016
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I wanted to join SCOPE so I could have the opportunity to translate my interest in social justice issues into real-world community impacts.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
Leading SCOPE as a whole appealed to me because it offered the privilege of working with a broader, systems-level point of view. This is critical, because weaving our different volunteer programs into a single cohesive unit is a key pillar of our sustainability as a community service organization.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
If I could have any superpower, it would be the ability to beat the traffic no matter what time I leave my house.
Tate Lyon-Johnson
Publicity and Recruitment Coordinator
Psychology, Class of 2017
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I originally joined SCOPE through the Youth Empowerment Program last year. At the time, I knew I wanted to work with kids in schools, and was considering a career as a school psychologist. I figured YEP would be the best option to test that. After my first visit to site, I had no doubt that school psychology was the route I wanted to take. Being a part of YEP, and watching everyone's mentor-mentee relationship develop, made me realize that adults can be powerful and meaningful agents in shaping kids' lives for the better. YEP, just like the rest of SCOPE, continues to inspire me and give me hope for the future of youth advocacy.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
I was drawn to the Publicity and Recruitment position because I knew I would be in a position to spread the word about this great organization. I love SCOPE because I think it takes a meaningful, multi-pronged approach to a lot of education and healthcare problems in the community. I also love photography, graphic design, outreach, and network building. So I feel right at home in this position!
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
I originally wanted to come to UCLA for film school, because I wanted to be a music video director.
Lauren Sullivan
Fitness and Nutrition Coordinator
Physiological Science, Class of 2017
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I am extremely passionate about fitness and nutrition and I love working with kids so when I found out about FitNut, I thought to myself... I HAVE to join. It's literally all of my favorite things combined into one program. Additionally, all of the other programs are incredible and I can't believe that one organization can make such a huge impact in so many different ways.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
I wanted to be a coordinator for FitNut because I care so deeply about this program. Words cannot begin to express how rewarding it is to see the kids grow and learn through our program. It's been such a huge part of my UCLA experience and life in general.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
I was a soccer goalie for ten years and I absolutely loved it! My three little sisters also play and my family is obsessed with the sport.
Erick Ballasteros
Fitness and Nutrition Coordinator
Biology, Class of 2016
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I became a part of SCOPE because I wanted to combine my passion for health and fitness and giving back to my community. I love working with kids and enjoy watching them learn and grow through our program. Also, I thought bringing the kids to our campus for Olympics Day in the spring was awesome and I wanted to become a part of that experience.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
I decided to apply to be a FitNut coordinator because I wanted to become part of a team that guides our passionate volunteers and works together to come up with great ideas that will improve our Fitness and Nutrition program.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
I am a lefty, but it wasn’t always that way. When I was 5, I was running around and sprained my right pinky, which forced me to switch to writing with my left hand instead of my right.
Alyssa Crowley
Hablamos Juntos Coordinator
Linguistics and Spanish, Class of 2016
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I became part of SCOPE because I was looking for a way to reach out to the community around me and give back to them.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
I wanted to lead Hablamos Juntos because it provides a unique service and resource to the community. As a linguistics major, I think it is so important to support and educate parents about their children's language development so that they can support and educate their own children.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
Growing up, I had a pet tortoise named Tortellini.
Jacqueline Williams
Youth Empowerment Program Coordinator
Human Biology and Society, Class of 2017
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I became a part of SCOPE because I wanted to understand and help the community that I was going to be surrounded by for the next four years of my life. I saw that SCOPE was effectively impacting the lives of underprivileged children and adults in Culver City and I wanted to be a part of that change.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
I initially joined YEP because I wanted to work with kids in a more personal way than just tutoring. I decided to become the Human Relations Coordinator this year because I wanted to create solidarity among the volunteers who come back every year and continue to recruit new members who will be as passionate about the club as I am.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
One fun fact about me is that even though I think I'm clumsy, I somehow made it onto a hip hop dance team at UCLA.
Irene Tseng
Patient Health Advocates Coordinator
Psychobiology, Class of 2017
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I became a part of SCOPE because I wanted the perfect blend of serving the LA community and shadowing pediatricians. Once I joined, I realized SCOPE was so much more than that-- the people I work with, the impact we make, and the inspiration I receive from SCOPE is like nothing else I've been involved with.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
I'm a Resource Committee Coordinator because I wanted to provide lower-income patients of Los Angeles a means to achieve health, education, and a better quality of life.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
I can ride a unicycle!
Vi Nguyen
Co-Chief
Physiological Science, Class of 2016
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I became a part of SCOPE because I truly believe in what this organization stands for, which is community outreach, promotion, and education. Learning about how underserved individuals in our communities face socioeconomic, cultural, and geographic barriers motivated me to directly advocate for the well-being of these families. Without a doubt, SCOPE has been one of the most meaningful organizations that I am grateful to have been a part of during my time here at UCLA.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
After volunteering as a Patient Health Advocate, I wanted to devote more of my time to improving SCOPE and became a Patient Health Advocates Coordinator. Along with my Co-Coordinators Shahe and Harika, we were able to expand our program to the UCLA Medicine-Pediatrics Comprehensive Care Clinic. This year, as Co-Chief, I hope to improve the entire SCOPE organization as a whole. Through volunteering with SCOPE, I have learned so much about the social determinants of health, and I think all four programs of SCOPE truly work towards bettering our community through casework, education, mentoring, and service.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
I love to travel! I think each new place contributes such a vibrance of culture, and my favorite part is meeting the locals and learning more about their way of life. The number one item on my bucket list is to travel to each continent at least once in my lifetime :)
Maggie Renteria
Finance Coordinator
Spanish, Class of 2016
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I became a part of SCOPE during my first year here at UCLA when a good friend of mine recommended the Youth Empowerment Program He told me all of the stories he had when working with his mentees, and the many ways they would help the youth. I wanted to continue helping elementary school children, so I decided to join!
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
After interning for the Finance Coordinators last year, and learning some of the ins and outs of the management of the different funds, I decided that I could further assist SCOPE by being a Finance Coordinator.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
I enjoy traveling to new places.
Gina Phillipi
Fitness and Nutrition Coordinator
Political Science, Class of 2016
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I joined SCOPE my freshman year because I was looking to get involved in community service, andSCOPE stuck out as a diverse organization with a history of doing good work in Los Angeles.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
I have always loved working with kids, and wanted a chance to help fight childhood obesity in my community. FitNut seemed like an ideal way to accomplish those goals during my time at UCLA.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
I am on the UCLA Water Ski Team.
Diana Gonzalez
Fitness and Nutrition Coordinator
Psychobiology, Class of 2016
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I became a part of SCOPE because I didn't know about the importance of eating health and exercising. After witnessing my grandma and dad suffer from diseases as a result of unhealthy lifestyles, I wanted to learn more about eating healthy and exercising. I combined my passion for education and nutrition and was then able to teach young elementary school children how to do so.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
I wanted to help lead the Fitness and Nutrition program because I wanted to continue to teach students, but also help coordinate the other awesome activities like Olympics day. I am very happy to be a part of an amazing group of coordinators that share the same passion.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
A fun fact about me is that I did gymnastics for 8 years and I coached for 3 years.
Steven Tohmasi
Fitness and Nutrition Coordinator
Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, Class of 2015
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I joined SCOPE in Fall 2012 because I felt their mission of improving the health of the greater Los Angeles area aligned with my personal career goals. Upon hearing about the program at an information session, I knew this was the perfect program for me as it allowed me to exercise and cultivate my enthusiasm for public health.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
My days volunteering as a part of the SCOPE Fitness and Nutrition program have been some of my most memorable and inspirational college experiences. My time spent as an instructor allowed me to see firsthand the profound difference this program can make on the lives of the underserved elementary students we work with, as well as our volunteers. As a result, I knew I wanted to give back to the program that has given me so much and obtain a leadership role that would allow me to provide our students and volunteers with even more amazing experiences.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
I can read and write in Persian.
Malika Kumar
Youth Empowerment Program Coordinator
Psychology, Class or 2017
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I joined the Youth Empowerment Program my freshman year at UCLA. I've always loved working with children, but it had previously been limited to a tutoring role, rather than a mentoring one. What set YEP apart from other programs at UCLA, for me, was the one-on-one mentoring opportunity. Our mentors form meaningful relationships with the children that we work with, which allows us to feel like we're a part of the community.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
I love YEP's mission statement, and the highly personalized nature of our program. I wanted to do what I could to further our mission statement, and make our program even more impactful for the kids.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
Fun fact: I trained in street jazz for four years!
Karen Lo
Patient Health Advocates Coordinator
Physiological Science, Class of 2017
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
I have always been an indecisive person, and the only thing I knew for sure was that I liked to interact with people and help them any way I can. I joined SCOPE because I felt that they've integrated this philosophy the best, and I have never met so many people who strive to better not only themselves but also the people around them.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
Being a part of SCOPE Patient Health Advocates has not only reaffirmed my desire to pursue a career in the health field but has also inspired me to give back to my community. This program has grown dear to my heart and I want to do everything I can to make sure every volunteer can take something meaningful from their work here.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about yourself?
I love going on LA food adventures and road trips!
Vishaka Muhunthan
Youth Empowerment Program Coordinator
Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, French minor, Class of 2016
1) Why did you become a part of SCOPE?
"Children are the future" is perhaps the biggest cliché of them all, but in this case, SCOPE really plays a huge role in the future of these children, and the future of the community they will be a part of. Encouraging them to focus in school, engage in physical activity and make healthy diet choices all go towards helping them become the best people they can be. By mentoring them to be upstanding citizens, SCOPE is taking steps toward making them valuable, respectful, and successful members of the community.
2) What made you want to lead your specific program?
Joining SCOPE, and more specifically YEP, has hands down been a highlight of my college career, and moreover, a highlight of my life. It’s hard to explain how gratifying it is to feel like part of something bigger by helping a child through some of the toughest and most confusing years of their lives. I'm proud and thankful to be a part of such a great organization, and became a coordinator to use my background, skills, and ideas to lead the program in new and even better directions.
3) What is a fun/unique fact about you?
I am a concert pianist