2025-2026 Senior Mentors
Get to know this year's Senior Mentors team!
Stay tuned for details on our upcoming office location!
Yansy Ngai | Lead Mentor
- Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Hometown: San Jose, CA
- Major: Cognitive Science
- Hobbies: Running, reading, playing the piano, and journaling!
- Why I joined M@DA: I first joined as a mentee and I had a great experience with my mentor. I later became an intern and saw all the behind-the-scenes effort and care that went into the program, and I knew then that I wanted to stay involved and help out as much as I could! What I really appreciated about M@DA was that at the end of the day, it was focused on cultivating a strong relationship between mentors and mentees, which can oftentimes mean the difference between a great or meh college experience for students.
Elisha Wijaya | Chair of Peer Pairings
- Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Hometown: Fremont, CA
- Major: Biology
- Hobbies: Crocheting, hiking
- Why I joined M@DA: To help students get connected! De Anza has so many resources to offer, but they can be difficult to navigate alone. I want to maximize the support and experiences that students receive during their time here by bridging that accessibility gap.
Riko Hatanaka | Vice Chair of Peer Pairings
- Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Hometown: San Jose, CA
- Major: Sociology & Psychology
- Hobbies: Dancing, listening to music, walking my dog
- Why I joined M@DA: Because I want to help students navigate their path in community college and help
create a supportive community! Mentors @ De Anza is a fun and engaging program that
introduces students to all that De Anza has to offer, whether you are planning to
transfer, earn an associate's degree, or simply to learn something new.
Dan Wu | Chair of Mentorship Training
- Pronouns: he/him/his
- Hometown: China
- Major: Computer Science
- Hobbies: Rock climb, music, walking dog
- Why I joined M@DA: Because I want to help new students feel more prepared and supported as they begin their college journey. Transitioning into school life can be overwhelming, and I hope to give them support through this program.
Sabai Aung | Vice Chair of Mentorship Training
- Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Hometown: Yangon, Myanmar
- Major: Computer Science
- Hobbies: Travelling, singing, and eating good food.
- Why I joined M@DA: I believe it is important for every student to have a genuine community in school and being part of the M@DA team allows me to help build long-lasting relationships and a supportive environment within the college.
Martina Ng | Chair of Marketing & Outreach
- Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Hometown: Hong Kong
- Major: Social Justice Studies
- Hobbies: During my free time, I enjoy singing, playing the cello and piano, and swimming. I also like to explore new things and places, such as learning a new language and trying new foods!
- Why I joined M@DA: To me, mentoship means creating a bridge between challenges and growth, between uncertainty and a sense of belonging. When I first arrived from Hong Kong last July, I realized how powerful guidance, support, and simple encouragement from others could be. Therefore, I joined M@DA because I wanted to remind students that they are never along in their journey and that with the right mentorship and supportive community, we can transform uncertainty into confidence, helping students see De Anza as a place where lasting friendships, memories, and growth can happen.
Nhi Tran | Vice Chair of Marketing & Outreach
- Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Hometown: Vietnam
- Major: Business Administration
- Hobbies: Baking, art, hanging out with friends.
- Why I joined M@DA: I joined Mentors @ De Anza to support incoming students they transition into college life. By sharing my experiences, connecting them with opportunities and resources, and fostering a welcome environment, I hope to help students feel heard and empowered to grow and succeed during their time at De Anza.
Christina Tran | Vice Chair of Marketing & Outreach
- Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Hometown: San Jose, CA
- Major: Business Administration
- Hobbies: Ragebaiting my dog, doomscrolling, and going on the stairmaster.
- Why I joined M@DA: As someone who felt overwhelmed entering community college, I understand how crucial it is to have someone alongside you. I joined M@DA because I want to support new students in navigating this transition and creating an environment where they feel encouraged and confident!
Paul Nguyen | Vice Chair of Marketing & Outreach
- Pronouns: he/him/his
- Hometown: San Jose, CA
- Major: Computer Science
- Hobbies: Drawing, listening to music, playing and creating video games
- Why I joined M@DA: I decided to join Mentors @ De Anza not only to develop leadership skills, but to connect with a close community. I believe that mentorship is more than just providing guidance; it's about fostering valuable relationships and building a welcoming environment! As someone who values mentoship, I want to make a difference for more students at De Anza College.
