Meet Your Undergraduate Advisors   

Meet Rachelle Martinez

Name: Rachelle (pronounced "ray-chul") Martinez

Pronouns: she/her

About Me: An immigrant from the Philippines, I have spent almost my whole life in Southeast San Diego. I enjoy watching gratuitous amounts of television (favorites include Friends, Insecure, and anything on Food Network) as well as every film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I love to travel, explore new places, shoot photos, and indulge in my gastronomic side!

Education: University of Michigan, M.A. in Higher Education

UC Berkeley, B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies

How did I get to UCSD: As an undergraduate student at Berkeley, I was heavily involved in the recruitment and retention of students of color on campus. I found this work to be incredibly rewarding, and it sparked my passion for education grounded in the foundational values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a graduate student, I interned at the National Center for Institutional Diversity as a program and research assistant. Upon graduating from the University of Michigan, I went back home to San Diego and served in a few temporary roles at USD and UCSD before ultimately joining UCSD's Department of Communication as an Undergraduate Advisor. 

My Advising Approach: I have a holistic, student-centered approach to advising where I consider all aspects of a student's life and how that can impact their experience at UCSD. I am here to empower and guide students through this chapter of their lives. College can be challenging and awesome and confusing all at once, and I am here every step of the way!

Fun Fact: I love Harry Potter! A fan of both the books and the movies, I like to say I'm the Head Girl of Ravenclaw.

Meet Shawnnie White

Name: Shawnnie White

Pronouns: she/her

About Me: I am a Bay Area Native. I have recently relocated to San Diego Area. I love basketball. Go Warriors! I love eating delicious foods such as pizza, burritos, burgers, etc.  My perfect day is going to the movies and watching every action or romantic comedy movie. 

Education: 

Saint Mary’s College of California, M.A. in Counseling

Saint Mary’s College of California, B.S. in Social Psychology 

How did I get to UCSD: I graduated from Saint Mary’s and had no clue what I wanted to do career wise, thus I decided to become a receptionist. However I ended up hating my job, which made me reevaluate what I wanted in a career. I decided that I wanted to aid students in attaining their academic goals. I felt like it was an excellent homage to my entire support system who helped me through my academic career. After attaining my Master’s, I became a substitute teacher at an alternative high school, and then I found employment at De Anza College. I worked within the Transfer Center, aiding Community College students transfer to their desired institutions. I moved to San Diego and started working with the SDSU Upward Bound program. I helped low-income, first-generation students learn about and eventually apply to colleges. Now I work within the Communication Department as an Undergraduate Advisor.

My Advising Approach: I am student focused. I think of myself as a resource on campus that can be utilized by students in accomplishing their academic goals. I know first hand how difficult college can be especially when you are not aware of pertinent information. Therefore I aim to be a source of support to students in any way I can be, whether as an ear to listen or referring the student to services that will meet a specific need. 

Fun Fact: I wanted to be an actress when I was younger.