Project Connect

SAMP is expanding its horizons and focusing on other groups of people impacted by the pandemic. Knowing that a lot of seniors, including our loved ones, are more vulnerable to COVID-19, we want to make sure that they are included in the work we do. We have contacted local senior centers and are now successfully recruiting students of all ages to spend an hour with the elderly. Whether it's just having a conversation, leading yoga sessions, or anything of the sort, we are happy to have you do so!

A lot of us are rising high school seniors and when exploring college options, there is a lot we don't know. On top of that, those of us who had planned on touring colleges can no longer do so. Knowing that a lot of rising high school seniors are in the same boat in terms of being impacted by the pandemic, SAMP has invited several speakers from various colleges and universities to help out.

As of June 30, we have the following confirmed speakers for the month of July: Chinmayi Balusu, Neuroscience, Life Sciences, & Medical Humanities at Columbia University Anvi Brahmbhatt, Molecular, Cell & Development Biology at UCLA Priya Talreja, Computer Science at UC Davis Nina Luong, Human Physiology at University of Oregon Devika Kumar, Economics at UC Davis Teia Barbosa, Communications at UCSB Emily McCluhan, Pre-Law at UC Irvine Mahika More, Upcoming UCLA Student Valerie Lam, Business Management Major & Psychology at USF Lisa Yan, Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics at UCLA Saumya Mutatkar, Political Science at UC Riverside Harpreet Lally, Community College to UCLA Student Samantha Minkewicks, Pre-Physician Assistant Mary Bangloy, Statistics at UC Davis.

We hope that these speaker sessions are beneficial in helping you learn more about the schools you're interested in, possibly decide on a major, and even provide you with other options including the community college route or taking a gap year. All our speakers look forward to answering any questions you may have so come prepared! Other speakers include Sergeant Jason Speckenheuer from the Milipitas Police Department, Vice President of the MUSD School Board Chris Norwood, and Richard Frawley from the Milpitas Fire Department.

By: Ritu Atreyas, Social Representative for Advertising & Media