Bethany Urbano: School of Education Peer Advisor

Senior Bethany Urbano is one of three Peer Academic Advisors in UCI's School of Education Student Affairs Office.

​Peer Advisors across the UCI campus provide undergraduates with information about campus policies, procedures, and resources and offer advice on registration, course selection, and scheduling. They also serve as ambassadors for the campus, helping to build community among both current and future students at events like the New Student Convocation and Celebrate UCI.

Urbano is combining a double major in Education Sciences and Political Science with her service activities as a School of Education Peer Academic Advisor. In addition, she is serving as a University Studies Discussion Leader and Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Science of Learning Lab. Below, Bethany shares her thoughts about her educational journey and her aspirations for the future.

November 2019

My interest in reforming the educational pipeline began when I realized how scarce opportunities and resources are for high-poverty and under educated communities like the one to which I belong. Fortunately, I was able to seek out guidance from high school teachers who understood what it would mean to obtain a college degree for my family and my community. My mother’s support also helped; although she only received a third-grade education, my mother always encouraged me to fully pursue my education.“Tu puedes hacer todo lo que te propongas,” my mother reminds me. 

As a first-generation college student, it had become apparent that I lacked college readiness. My lack of familiarity with the academic and practical knowledge needed to be successful in college made it difficult for me to seek proper guidance. During my second year at UCI, I participated in UCI’s Summer Academic Enrichment Program, a program that gave students the opportunity to experience graduate school in five weeks. The program  not only allowed me to experience what graduate school would be like but also provided me with resources on and off-campus, professional skills, and a support system that would help me navigate my undergraduate career. Being fortunate enough to be a part of this program is the reason I devote myself to being a resource for others here on campus. 

After graduating from the University of California, Irvine I plan to pursue a master’s degree in Public Policy. I am specifically interested in education policy reform because I hope to help and provide first-generation students and students from all over the world the tools to attain higher education within our institutions.