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Undergraduate YEOC Mentorship Program

YEOC Mentor applications for the 2024-2025 program will open soon!

Throughout the year, each YEOC high school student is paired with a current Foster School of Business student mentor who helps them navigate the program, prepare for college and scholarship applications, as well as develop tools for academic and personal success in high school and beyond.

YEOC mentors represent a diverse range of academic abilities, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The common denominator amongst the mentors is the overarching goal to support their communities. The mission of the YEOC mentors is to “lift as we climb.” YEOC mentors are a reflection of what we hope the YEOC mentees will emulate as they prepare to pursue college. Learn more about the YEOC program here.

YEOC Mentors

Each YEOC Mentor will supervise, support and encourage a group of approximately 10-12 high school mentees throughout the 9-month program. Each mentor will also lead a YEOC session and business lecture such as Finance, Marketing or Information Systems. Mentors also take on leadership roles and special projects such as recruitment, event planning and YEOC alumni programming.
Eligibility: Rising Junior or Senior

Mentors in Training (MIT)

Mentors in Training (MIT) support the YEOC program through a number of ways including special sessions, administration and leadership support at our Saturday sessions. Successful completion of the MIT program will result in an invitation to become a YEOC mentor the following academic year.
Eligibility: Rising UW Sophomore or Junior, pre-business students are preferred

Learn about the YEOC program, Mentors, and MITs in the 2022-2023 Mid-Year Report and the 2023 Annual Report.

2023-2024 YEOC Mentors & Mentors-in-Training (MiTs)

Mahilet Abraha

Senior
YEOC Alumna
Major: Information Systems & Human Resources Management
High School: Shorewood

Biography: Mahilet credits YEOC for giving her leadership skills and a network of driven students of color that ensured her transition to university was seamless. Mahilet has also participated in ACAP, Young Gifted and Black, Shades of Purple and Business Bridge. On campus, Mahilet is a Student Ambassador for the Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment office, a TA for an International Business class, and is a member of Phi Alpha Delta, UW’s prelaw fraternity.

Dahira Abukar

Sophomore (MIT)
YEOC Alumna
Major: Informatics
High School: Chief Sealth International

Biography: Dahira was able to seek advice from mentors through the YEOC program when she most needed it, particularly as a first-generation college student. She learned the importance of networking and community. Outside of the business and tech worlds, she is involved in community-oriented organizations such as the Muslim Student Association, Somali Student Association, Women in Informatics, Girls Who Code, and the National Society of Black Engineers.

Abdul Ali

Senior
Major: Finance & Information Systems
High School: Chief Sealth Intl.

Biography: Abdul continuously challenges the Business world and its lack of diversity by participating in KPMG embark — a rotational internship program in services such as
Audit, Tax and Advisory. Soon after, Abdul took on a new role as KPMG Campus ambassador where he
worked to connect students of color to KPMG various programs. Upon graduation, Abdul will be joining the KPMG NYC office full time working in Finance Transformation.

Vanessa Buenrostro

Senior
YEOC Alumna
Major: Human Resources Management
Minor: Spanish
High School: Quincy

Biography: Vanessa is grateful for YEOC and UDS for its resources and support in exploring a career in business, being directly admitted into the Foster School of Business and
having the opportunity to study abroad. After being admitted into the University of Washington and the Foster School of Business, Vanessa has remained involved with UDS programming and YEOC as a
volunteer, Mentor in Training, Intern and Mentor.

Britany Castillo

Senior
YEOC Alumna
Major: Marketing
High School: Kent-Meridian

Biography: Britany is a second year Mentor, and fully attributes her confidence and successes to the UDS pipeline program that gave her the resources to pursue higher education. Through YEOC, she was introduced to UDS and met many great people who have impacted and aided her throughout her college journey. Being a mentor now, she strives to provide the same guidance and support to younger generations coming from underrepresented communities.

Citalli Cruz

Junior
YEOC Alumna
Major: Finance & Marketing
Minor: Spanish
High School: A.C. Davis

Biography: Citlalli credits YEOC for being the foundation of resources she needed to pursue higher education and develop her interests in business. Beyond YEOC, Citlalli is the President for the Association of Latino Professionals for America, was an Orientation Leader
welcoming students to UW, and is a member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc.. She’s also a Girls Who Invest (GWI) Scholar, Campus Ambassador and Northwest Regional Representative.

Nazrawit Dessie

Senior
YEOC Alumna
Major: Information Systems & Marketing
High School: University Prep

Biography: Nazrawit, also known as Naz, has served on many different positions throughout her college careers. Some include Vice President of Events, President, and Senior Advisor of the Black at Foster RSO, 2-year Mentor for the Young Executives of Color program, Member of the first Hovind Global Leaders program cohort, and more. This summer Naz interned at Ernst & Young and studied abroad in London for Early Fall Start.

Miriame Diawara

Senior
YEOC Alumna
Major: Information Systems & Marketing
High School: Kent-Meridian

Biography: Miriame, also known as “Mimi” Diawara, is a second year mentor who dedicates her time outside of class to drive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts across campus and hopes to continue this type of work post-graduation. As a Management Leader for Tomorrow Fellow, Hovind Global Leader Alum, and Presidential Scholar, she is passionate about giving back to programs that helped pave the way for her to excel at UW and credits YEOC as a part of her success.

Annicette Gilliam

Senior
Major: Accounting, Information Systems, & History
Minor: Environmental Science, Resource Management
High School: Ingraham

Biography: Annicette is active in Native Business Association and is Fundraising Chair for First Nations @ UW. As a returning YEOC mentor and ACAP alumna, she enjoys sharing her experiences with affording college and study abroad as a person who grew up in a low-income household. After graduation, she will transition to PwC full time as an internal audit consultant. She has also worked with the Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Public Library, and volunteered with VITA Tax.

Zynab Hafid

Sophomore (MiT)
YEOC Alumna
Major: Finance & Information Systems
High School: Meadowdale

Biography: As a former YEOC alumna, volunteer, and upcoming MiT, Zynab cannot express enough gratitude for all the doors YEOC has opened for her. Without YEOC, Zynab would not have considered a career in business to begin with. YEOC has allowed her to grow confident in her own skin and identity. Outside of YEOC, Zynab is involved with the Diversity subcommittee of the UBC, participating in Arab Student Association, and attending a local mosque’s girls group.

Valeria Hernandez

Sophomore (Intern)
YEOC Alumna
Major: Marketing & Human Resources Management
High School: North Creek

Biography: Valeria is grateful that her time as a YEOC mentee opened the door to learning about scholarship opportunities that have helped her become a financially independent student and introduced her to the community of supportive peers and faculty at the Foster School of Business. Beyond the business school, she has been active in Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc., a Social Media Coordinator at the Ethnic Cultural Center, and a United Way of King County Tax Volunteer.

Mekias Kebede

Junior
YEOC Alumnus
Major: Mathematics & Physics
High School: Raisbeck Aviation

Biography: Mekias’ transition to the UW was aided by YEOC, as he was a former mentee his junior and senior year of high school. Outside of school, Mekias actively participates in research within the applied mathematics and statistics department at UW. Mekias is also a member of NSBE -National Society of Black Engineers. He has a deep passion for science and engineering and hopes to one day use his interests in science and engineering to start or be a part of a successful business.

Andrew Manzano

Senior
Major: Human Resources & Information Systems
High School: Cleveland STEM

Biography: Fueled by a dedication to reinvest in the communities that empowered him, Andy is entering his second year as a YEOC mentor to propel the next generation of young executives. He’s remained heavily involved in the greater community as a Student Ambassador for
the Office of Multicultural Outreach & Recruitment, as the UW Foundation Board’s Student Representative, former Association of Latinx Professionals for America (ALPFA) Co-President, and as this year’s UDS Intern!

Norma Martinez

Junior
YEOC Alumna
Major: Accounting & Information Systems
Minor: Real Estate
High School: A.C. Davis

Biography: A former YEOC Alum and volunteer, Norma believes in the mission to open the doors to under-represented students through college preparation, mentorship, and real-life business skills. At UW, she is involved in the Association of Latinx Professionals For America (ALPFA), Undergraduate Women in Business (UWiB), Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc., and volunteers in multiple projects for the UDS community.

Remmy Ndegeah

Junior
Major: Finance & Information Systems
High School: Bellevue

Biography: Remmy participated in one of the three UDS pipeline programs called Building Networks, where he went from being a mentee during his freshman year to a mentor during his sophomore year. Similar to YEOC, the Building Networks program is designed to support underrepresented students interested in pursuing a career in business through organized workshops and collaborative exercises. In addition, he is currently Black @ Foster’s treasurer.

Fikre Nega

Sophomore (MiT)
YEOC Alumna
Major: Marketing & Finance
High School: Thomas Jefferson

Biography: Fikre began her YEOC journey her senior year of high school, where she was introduced to the resources and opportunities the program had to offer as she transitioned to her first year at UW. She has stayed connected with UDS and YEOC by continuing to volunteer and serving as TA for the alumni seminar. Fikre has been an active member of Black at Foster and the Vice President of the newly founded East African Student Association.

Nahome Negash

Sophomore (MiT)
YEOC Alumnus
Major: Marketing & Information Systems
High School: Bishop Blanchet

Biography: YEOC has allowed Nahome to learn about the importance of networking and how to build stronger relationships with students and staff at the University of Washington, which has been very beneficial for his journey at UW. Nahome is also the VP of Employer Relations of Black @ Foster, a club at the Foster School of Business that helps underrepresented students of color have an enjoyable experience and feel they are in a safe place for students to build connections.

Tiffany Nguyen

Junior
YEOC Alumna
Major: Marketing & Entrepreneurship
High School: Kentridge

Biography: With the help of YEOC, Tiffany has been able to ask for guidance when she needed it most, during the transition to college. She learned the importance of networking and uplifting the community in order to grow together. Her time as a YEOC mentee allowed her to enter her first year of college with more confidence and ease. As a past mentee in 2020, she’s finally become a mentor in 2022. Outside of the classroom, Tiffany has been running Tiffy’s Toast LLC for 2 years.

Dante Ost

Junior
YEOC Alumnus
Major: Marketing & Human Resources
High School: Harrison Prep

Biography: A former YEOC Alum, Volunteer, and Mentor-in- Training, Dante credits YEOC for helping him develop his interests in business, finding passion in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and guiding him to being directly admitted into the Foster School of Business. Through YEOC, he was able to participate in other UDS programming following his time in the program, encouraging a variety of networking opportunities and an overall support system at UW.

Jessica Perez Ortiz

Senior
Major: Human Resources & Information Systems
High School: Auburn

Biography: UDS has equipped Jessica with support, guidance and resources to help aid her educational and career journey. This helped her be accepted to the Foster School of Business through standard admission. Jessica has been actively involved with UDS since her freshman year and has participated in a variety of UDS programs. Although she did not participate in YEOC as a mentee she has been a volunteer, MiT and has now returned as a 2nd year mentor.

Linda Sanchezaldana

Sophomore (MiT)
YEOC Alumna
Major: Finance
High School: Thomas Jefferson

Biography: As a former YEOC Alum, Volunteer, and incoming Mentor-in-Training, Linda credits YEOC for being the reason she is pursuing a degree in finance and information systems. The program gave her the confidence and tools to effectively network and be active within Foster and the greater UW campus. Outside of YEOC, she is a member within the UW Finance Association and the Undergrad Women in Business.

Thomas Sefair-Lopez

Junior
YEOC Alumnus
Major: Operations/Supply Chain & Human Resources
Minor: Education
High School: Eastlake

Biography: YEOC made an impact on Thomas’ life as he was able to make connections with UDS staff and create a long- lasting support system for his time at UW. Thomas has been involved with the UDS community as a YEOC volunteer by holding Freshman application workshops with the help of his colleagues at the Office of Admissions and attending additional UDS programming. Outside of UDS and Foster, Thomas serves as the Office of Inclusive Design Director.

Jared Vargas-Vallen

Senior
Major: Finance & Information Systems
High School: Ellensburg

Biography: Jared is now a 2nd year Mentor, as he believes in the value it can provide to high school students. He has also been a part of Building Networks, run by UDS, as well as participated and volunteered in many other UDS events and programs, and fully credits his success and growth to the support received by the UDS staff and programs. Outside of school, Jared focuses on educating people about personal finances and the importance of having diversity in Corporate America.