Meet our BSP Peer Mentors!
2026-2027
Kaviya Chidambaram '27 (any pronouns)
Hometown: Broomfield, Colorado
Major: International Political Economy, Environmental Science minor, pre-law track
Interests/Involvements: Public policy & Community Engagement, Bonner Fellow, South Asian Student Union, Sunrise Environmental Action Hub
Email: k_chidamba2023@coloradocollege.edu
Hey! I'm Kaviya! I love to dance, craft, and drink tea. I was born and raised in Colorado but hate going outside. Two truths and a lie: I have had 12 teeth pulled; I had a pet parrot named Rob; or I was in the circus for a decade... Email me your best guess for the chance to win a cookie. Bridge is so awesome; Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is so awesome; you are so awesome; I can't wait to meet you :)
Alyna Trúc Đào '27 (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
Major: Neuroscience
Interests/Involvements: Pre-Med, Bonner Community Engagement Fellow, Co-Chair of the Asian Student Union (ASU), Minority Association for Pre-Health Students (MAPS), Pre-Health Professions Club DEI Representative, Undergraduate Neuroscience Research, Neuroscience Outreach, Residential Advisor (RA)
Email: a_dao@coloradocollge.edu
Hey there! I'm Alyna Truc (she/her) from Wichita, KS, a senior majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. On campus, I serve as an Admission Ambassador Captain, Residential Advisor (RA), and Co-Chair of the Asian Student Union (ASU), where I help foster community and create spaces for connection and cultural engagement. I’m also a Bonner Community Engagement Fellow, working with community partners to support youth and teen suicide prevention initiatives, and I serve as the DEI Representative for the Pre-Health Professions Club.
Academically, I’m involved in undergraduate neuroscience research studying zebra finches and am an active member of the Minority Association for Pre-Health Students (MAPS). Through my work and involvement across campus, I’m passionate about mentorship, advocacy, and creating spaces where people feel supported and connected.
Outside of campus life, you’ll probably find me making trips to Denver for hotpot or trying my luck collecting plushies at Round 1. Ask me about my paddleboarding trip during my Bridge experience... you'll want to hear it :)
Hunter Lau '28 (he/him/his)
Hometown: Kailua, Hawai'i
Double Major: Organismal Biology & Ecology/Theater
Interests/Involvements: Theater Workshop, Pasifika Student Collective, Tiger Jazz Ensemble, The Queer & Trans Collective (QTC), Drag Performance (Madame Taxie Vasian), Clay Club, Hiking, the daily Pokedoku
Email: h_lau2024@coloradocollege.edu
Aloha mai kākou! My name is Hunter Makanihoʻololi Michael Lau (or just Hunter, if you’re feeling adventurous) and I am a rising junior and one of your bridge mentors. Originally from the island of Oʻahu, I am a big advocate for both the protection of the environment and the rights of indigenous people. In my spare time though, I am big into the performing arts with acting, singing, dancing, directing, producing, designing and so much more (catch me at Theater Workshop or with the Tiger Jazz Ensemble). I also enjoy drawing, sculpting at clay club, biking, and hiking. I can’t wait to meet all of you. If you have any questions regarding anything I talked about (or if it’s anything I didn’t talk about, I can point you in the right direction), don’t be afraid to reach out to me. Mahalo and see you all soon!
Emmanuel Mercedes '28 (he/him/his)
Grizz Morin
Grizz is very excited to be one of the BSP mentors for Exploring The Hidden World of Astrochemistry! He is a Neuroscience major on the premed track with minors in Human Biology and Kinesiology and Music. He grew up in Colorado Springs and loves hiking, playing guitar, and spending time with his dogs and cat as well as playing with dogs at the local Humane Society. His favorite club on campus is Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ's chapter of NMDP and he would love to help you get involved on campus!
Nathaniel Pittman IV '27 (he/him/his)
Major: Business, Economics, Society & French
Interests & Involvements: CRU, Soccer, SOMOS (Latine Affinity Club), Black Student Union (BSU), Carribean-African Student Union (CASU)
Email: n_pittman2023@coloradocollege.edu
Kay Quintana '28 (she/they)
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Major: Astrophysics
Minor: Computer Science
Interests & Involvements: E-sports, Stargazing, Painting, Poetry, Baking!!
Email: k_quintana2024@coloradocollege.edu
Ella Schuchard '27 (she/her/hers)
Minor: Biochemistry
Interests & Involvements: Veterinary Medicine, Llamapalooza Planning Committee, Admissions Ambassador, Pre-Veterinary club, Mariachi Tigre, Stroud Scholars Mentor
Email: e_schuchar2023@coloradocollege.edu
Hey guys, I'm Ella :) I'm an OBE major on the pre-vet track and hope to someday become a veterinary oncologist. When I'm not procrastinating my STEM class homework or working one of my campus jobs, I'm probably taking a nap. I enjoy being creative, love cats (especially jaguars), my favorite color is pink, and if I were a fruit I'd be a pomegranate. As always, feel free to reach out if you ever want to chat- I can't wait to meet all of you!
Caiden Yaconis '28 (he/him/his)
Hometown: Virgina Beach, Virginia
Major: Molecular Biology & English:Creative Writing
Interests/Involvements: Teaching, Tutoring, Writing, Human Biology, Reading, Cooking, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ QuestBridge Network, and FYP!
Email: c_yaconis2024@coloradocollege.edu
Heyo! Nice to sort of meet you, I’m Caiden! I’m a MB and English Creative Writing track major. I hope to one day be a published writer while working predominantly as a professor. When I’m not randomly reading a book on campus somewhere (hide and seek if you will), I probably am rethinking a conversation I had three years ago. I love to help out as best I can as evident by my involvement in not only bridge mentoring but also first year mentoring programs. I like to consider myself knowledgeable in many areas, and if I don’t know the answer, I know someone who does. I can’t wait to work with you all, and if you ever need to ask a question, please feel free to reach out. I hope to make an amazing Bridge experience for you guys. Remember you’re the best you there is! You got this rockstar!