We Are UCI: Student Success Podcast

In 2019, Raj Parekh graduated from UCI with an impressive triple major in quantitative economics, data science, and mathematics and a minor in innovation and entrepreneurship. The kicker? He did it all in four years while also making time to lead five clubs and build lasting connections. So how did he do it? Raj sits down and shares his story to inspire current students to make the most of their time at UCI.

In this interview, Traci Lee, Growth & Insights Editor at Sony Pictures' Creative Center and graduate of UCI's class of 2011, reminisces about her time at UCI and discusses how it set her up for future success.

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai speak with students Karishma Muthukumar, Meena Chandrasekaran, and Caitlin Yee about the Patience Project, inspired by the hospital waiting room and changed by the pandemic.

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai speak with Scott Lerner and Mariel Calva Hernandez about LUCID, an undergraduate journal at UCI that gives often marginalized students a home to share their experiences and explore their identities. 

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai speak with third-year Ethan Chhan about his path to discovering his identity. Through the experiences he’s gathered, he helps build and develop the multiple communities that represent him and the individuals he cares about.

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai speak with Sydney Charles & Tatum Larson about the journey that led them to create their podcast, “Black Fam 2.5, Redefining the Minority Experience.” https://linktr.ee/blackfam2.5 Black Fam website:  https://www.theblackfam.org/ Welcome Table Videos:  https://www.humanities.uci.edu/SOH/calendar/welcome_table.php

 In this episode, Jonathan and Hai speak with third-year Lisa Deng about how to navigate the waters of being productive and organized while also not overloading yourself with too much.

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai speak with fourth-year Nancy Duong about exploring different opportunities, discovering her passions, and eventually finding her fit as a business economics major.

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai speak with current undergraduate Grace Till about her choice to study business, her involvement on campus, and her ever-changing relationship with measuring success.

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai have a conversation with current undergraduate Marcelo Cubillos studying computer science at UCI.  Exploring the multi-faceted interests of Marcelo and his perspective toward developing himself during his time in college, this discussion explores how he has navigated college in a remote university environment. 

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai sit down with current student Audrey Alexis Garcia who describes her experience trying out different pathways before finding a passion for research in the humanities.  

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai sit down with UCI student, Aryan Ghanadan to explore how his passion for sustainability and entrepreneurship has helped shape his journey at UCI. 

In this episode of We Are UCI, Jonathan, and Hai speak with current undergraduate Matthew Thomas about his journey exploring different career paths, his choice to study civil engineering and the multi-faceted interests he has in serving his local community. 

In this episode of We Are UCI, Jonathan and Hai recap the season of conversations and lessons they've learned speaking to the diverse mix of students and alumni in the podcast's first season. 

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai speak with current UCI student Amy Liao about her journey through college and a different approach to defining what success means for her as she navigates her undergraduate journey during these uncertain times. 

Jonathan and Hai speak with UCI student Juergen Riedelsheimer about his eclectic career ranging from musician to entrepreneur and returning to college at UCI as a student now with a goal to merge his skillset toward a new career following graduation. 

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai discuss the intersection of career exploration through Steven's service in ROTC and externships alongside his current pursuit of medicine as an undergraduate at UCI. Steven discusses a desire to serve and follow in family tradition while also exploring his own career path. 

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai discuss a student e-sports startup with co-founders Adharsh and Manav. The conversation also includes a discussion around how they balance their business pursuits alongside a full-time undergraduate schedule. 

In this episode, Jonathan and Hai speak with UCI student Karyssa Courey about her experience exploring undergraduate research, defining a path, and changing expectations based on new opportunities.  *Note: a study is referenced mentioning 11 and 6 point scales. To clarify, the researchers looked at 10 point and 6 point scales in this study. 

In this latest episode of the We Are UCI podcast, Jonathan and Hai speak with UCI student Jenelle King about finding different paths, which includes entrepreneurship and navigating new spaces. 

This week, first-year graduate student Joseph Spaziano joins Hai and Jonathan to reflect on his educational journey. Together, they discuss the importance of exploring your academic and professional options and finding success along the way.

In this week’s episode, Hai and Jonathan host second-year UCI student Britanny Duong to talk about forming social connections online, learning to appreciate family-time, exploring new hobbies and battling Impostor Syndrome.

Co-hosts Hai and Jonathan meet with recent UCI alum Owen Yang. Together, they discuss their personal “passion projects,” how their ideas of success have changed throughout their lifetimes, and the challenge of staying true to yourself in the face of familial pressures.

The Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (OVPTL) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is launching a new podcast to feature the struggles and triumphs of UCI’s diverse student body to redefine student success. Hosted by Hai Truong, UCI alum and marketing strategist for the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, and Jonathan Alexander, associate dean in the Division of Undergraduate Education and Chancellor's Professor of English and Informatics, the “WE ARE UCI: Student Success Podcast” will be launching later this Fall. “We will provide a platform where the students can share their stories of strength and resilience,” says Associate Dean Alexander. “By amplifying their voices, we hope to inspire the entire Anteater community and encourage other UCI students to seek out opportunities. We also want to redefine what success as a student means in these changing times.” Upcoming episodes will feature candid conversations with students about the personal, social and educational experiences that have shaped their pursuit of success at UCI. “WE ARE UCI: Student Success Podcast” will be available to stream and download at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.