Leadership Development Program

Makanani (Maka) Pennell
Lead Intern
Biomedical Engineering, Class of 2013
Maka was an Freshman Summer Start participant in 2009 and an Intern in 2010.
(From Rocklin, CA)

The Freshman Summer Start program is a great opportunity for incoming students to experience college prior to taking on the rigors of a full-load of UCI units.

The internship has given me real leadership opportunities and experiences, while creating relationships with others that will last a lifetime. It has taught me those special life lessons that we do not learn in the classroom and given me the chance to give something back. I've grown as a person, met many wonderful people, and will rely on these life lessons in the future.
mpennell@uci.edu

Steven Rutherford
Lead Intern
Computer Engineering, Class of 2014
Steven was a Freshman Summer Start participant in 2010 and an Intern in 2011 and 2012.
(From West Hills, CA)

The internship provides you with resources to help you with whatever you may need to serve the program but primarily teaches you through hands on experience.  If I want to learn something new, I’ve learned to take the initiative and start the process, knowing I can always ask for help when I get stuck. Turns out that’s a good way of learning things in real life.
srutherf@uci.edu

Julia Shates
Lead Intern
Earth System Science, Class of 2015
Julia was a Freshman Summer Start participant in 2011 and an Intern in 2012.
(From Los Angeles, CA)

I am thrilled to be part of the intern team again for the Freshman Summer Start Program!  I've loved the program since my experience with it as a freshman.  The summer vibe is great for new students at UC Irvine to get acquainted with the campus environment. On a personal level, the Leadership Development Program has helped me see myself as a leader. In addition, it has exposed me to important skills that I need to be aware of and develop for professional situations.
jshates@uci.edu

Melissa Cintron
Political Science, Class of 2016
Freshman Summer Start participant in 2012.
(From Chula Vista, CA)

Freshman Summer Start was an experience I will always remember and look back on with a smile. Initially I was really scared and nervous to go to UCI, but being there during the summer made me realize just how wonderful and exciting the campus really is! The program helped me become an involved college student and even allowed me to meet some of the best friends that I have today. I really encourage all incoming freshman to give it a try because it'll definitely open your eyes to all the new and awesome opportunities around you!
cintronm@uci.edu

Karina Colchado
Psychology and Social Behavior, Class of 2014
Freshman Summer Start, Bridge pathway participant in 2010.
(From Corona, CA)

As an incoming freshman at UCI, I was terrified of facing so many new challenges on my own. I applied to the Freshman Summer Start Program hoping that it would provide me with resources that would help me navigate through my first year of college. This program provided me with what I hoped for and much, much, more. I left the program having learned about resources on campus, having received A’s in my first two college courses, having made some of the best friends I could have asked for, and having gained the confidence that I needed to start off college on the right foot.
kcolchad@uci.edu

Arturo Jr. Razo
Undecided/Undeclared, Class of 2016
Freshman Summer Start, Bridge pathway participant in 2012.
(From Los Angeles, CA)

The Freshman Summer Start Program has greatly helped me transition from a high school perspective into a university one. I met many of my closest friends during the summer and do not know what I would have done without them during the first weeks of fall quarter. I learned a lot about myself and about UC Irvine during my time as a summer start participant.
arturor1@uci.edu

Javier Vega
Computer Sciences and Engineering, Class of 2016
Freshman Summer Start, Bridge pathway participant in 2012.
(From Long Beach, CA)

I came to UCI not knowing anyone or what to expect. The Freshman Summer Start Program helped me make many friends that have had a positive influence on my college career. The program not only got me familiarized with the campus, but also gave me a taste of how classes were going to be. I believe that if I had not been part of the program I would not be doing as well as I have so far.
javierv2@uci.edu

Elizabeth Wood
Double majoring in English and ‘Criminology, Law & Society’ Class of 2016
Freshman Summer Start participant in 2012.
(From Mission Viejo, CA)

I attended the Freshman Summer Start Program because I was nervous about the transition from high school to college. I was worried that I would have trouble making friends, getting involved on campus, and keeping up with the college-level workload. FSSP not only calmed all my fears, but helped me gain confidence in myself and in my school; after 6 weeks I was absolutely sure that I was in the right place for me. I am happy to say that I made some of my absolute best friends and had an amazingly fun time while participating in the program, and I can't wait to be an intern for 2013!
eawood@uci.edu 

Meet the 2013 International Freshman Summer Start Interns

Stephanie Berganza
Lead Intern
Business Economics , formerly Undecided/Undeclared, Class of 2014
Stephanie was a Freshman Summer Start, Bridge Pathway participant in 2010 and an Intern in 2011 and 2012.
(From Harbor City, CA)

Coming in to UCI as a freshman was both intimidating and scary, however after participating in the Freshmen Summer Start Program I had greater confidence and was more enthusiastic about my freshmen year. Ever since my experience in the program I have wanted to give back and help new freshmen gain just as much as I did, if not more, from this great program. These past two years as an intern I have learned so much about what it means to be a leader and the importance of teamwork. I hope to continue building my leadership skills and help the summer start team ensure that the participating freshmen benefit as much as possible from the program.
sberganz@uci.edu 

Kelli Caruso
Lead Intern
Mathematics, Class of 2015
Kelli was a Freshman Summer Start participant in 2011 and an Intern in 2012.
(From Norco, CA)

My freshman year I enrolled in Freshman Summer Start and it was the best experience for me as a freshman. The program gave me confidence for the upcoming school year. Being an intern and part of the Freshman Summer Start Program has been the best thing for me during my academic career because of the constant support from the interns and staff. Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions and I will do my best to help.
klcaruso@uci.edu

Yuwei Kai
Business Administration, Class of 2016
Freshman Summer Start participant in 2012.
(From Dawan, China)

Participating in Freshman Summer Start Program was the best experience I've had at UCI so far. Through this program, all my worries and anxieties about starting college were resolved. I got ahead in my academics, became more engaged in school activities and established many long-lasting friendships and unforgettable memories. It was Freshman Summer Start Program that prepared me as a college student and encouraged me to continue working for my passions!
yuweic@uci.edu

Katie Khuu
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Class of 2016
Freshman Summer Start, Bridge pathway participant in 2012.
(From Garden Grove, CA)

Being a part of Summer Bridge in the Freshman Summer Start Program introduced me to so many resources and opportunities here at UCI. Not only did I befriend some awesome people and make excellent use of my time, but I also ended up ahead of many of my peers. You can only gain from this program, so take your time, ask questions, introduce yourself to new people, and enjoy every minute of it (yes, even the studying).
kkhuu1@uci.edu

Christine Lao
Chemical Engineering, Class of 2016
Freshman Summer Start, Bridge pathway participant in 2012.
(From Los Angeles – Chinatown, CA)

When I first came into the Freshman Summer Start Program I only thought that I would be getting ahead in units. However, I didn't just gain an advantage academically, I formed new relationships with great UCI students who were as motivated as I am. I participated in classes that challenged me, and from that I knew how challenging the upcoming year will be. Joining the Freshman Summer Start Program enhanced my love of UCI and allowed me to build the skills that I need to succeed at UCI.
laock@uci.edu

Allen Thich
Engineering Undeclared, Class of 2016
Freshman Summer Start participant in 2012.
(From Monterey, CA)

I believed UCI's Freshman Summer Start would just provide me with the preparation of beginning a different routine of my life, but it has given me much more than I have realized. From summer's calm to fall's restlessness, I couldn't imagine trying to understand or begin starting university without my experience in FSSP. Remembering the various resource offices, the abundant websites, the prestigious halls, FSSP made me familiar and confident in recognizing every aspect of UCI. Moreover, FSSP became the base for making me feel comfortable on expanding with my new friendships, knowledge, wonder, and most importantly, my second home.
athich@uci.edu