Engineering Ambassadors

In response to feedback from our partners, we established an Engineering Ambassadors program in August 2022. Our Engineering Ambassadors program features Berkeley undergraduate students who hone their technical communication skills while engaging in K-12 outreach through a variety of activities, including campus tours, presentations, career panels, and school visits. As tangible proof of their value, our ambassadors are hired as student assistants and paid a competitive wage.

Our ambassador program is part of the Engineering Ambassadors Network, led by Penn State. The Engineering Ambassadors Network (EAN) is an alliance of universities that aims to train a cohort of diverse and technically skilled engineering undergraduates on how to excite K-12 students about engineering. Since 2010, EAN has reached more than 277,000 K-12 students. EAN also provides professional development training for the ambassadors themselves, focusing on critical soft skills that students can apply in their future careers.

Schools and community organizations can request tours, presentations, or other activities by submitting a request through our contact form. (We also welcome requests for virtual activities.)

We currently focus on offering one-off events/activities rather than recurring programs.

Ambassador activities

Our school and community partners guide and inform our ambassadors’ outreach activities. We also encourage our ambassadors to suggest activities. Example activities are listed below:

Developing new presentations that introduce young students to engineering topics
Leading tours of Berkeley Engineering’s buildings
Facilitating hands-on activities or leading presentations as part of a class or after-school program in local K-12 schools
Conducting hands-on activities during community festivals or K-12 school events
Participating in student panels
Creating social media posts to share Berkeley Engineering students’ experiences
Supporting Berkeley Engineering’s K-12 Outreach Team with planning, preparing for events, and our overall activities

Ambassadors also engage in communications training and other professional development activities, including the Engineering Ambassador Network’s communication training program.

Meet our ambassadors

We recruit ambassadors who are passionate about diversifying the engineering field, and we are thrilled to introduce you to our 2025-26 ambassadors.

Mahika Behani

Lead ambassador

Hi! I’m Mahika, and I use the she/her/hers pronouns! I am from Bangalore, India, and I’m a junior studying Environmental Engineering. I’ve always been really passionate about sustainability, and I love all things outdoorsy – I scuba-dive and surf, and I’m on the Sailing Team here at Berkeley! Back home, there isn’t a lot of female representation in STEM, and I’m proud to be the first girl in my family to study engineering. I’m excited to help raise awareness about all the wonderful women in STEM in this world and inspire girls to follow their dreams and pursue a STEM degree!

Sophia Dateshidze

Lead ambassador

Hi there! My name is Sophia, and I use the she/her/hers pronouns! I am from Los Angeles, California, and I am in my 4th year studying Bioengineering with a concentration in both Synthetic and Computational Biology as well as Cell and Tissue Engineering. I chose to major in Bioengineering because of how interdisciplinary and vast the curriculum is and its applications in making new medical technologies. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to help people by making medical treatment more accessible, and at Berkeley, I’ve discovered a passion for research. I believe it’s important for others to know that engineering is for everyone—no matter how intimidating it may appear. I hope to inspire others to take the leap and explore all engineering has to offer. Outside of my classes, I am passionate about working with animals, and I love spending time outdoors, playing volleyball, and baking.

Javir Bolaños

Hello everyone! My name is Javir Bolaños (he/him), and I’m from Los Angeles, CA. I’m currently a sophomore studying Civil Engineering. Growing up, I always feared earthquakes, especially those associated with the San Andreas Fault. For this reason, I hope to pursue structural engineering, where I plan to design and oversee safe, resilient infrastructure.

Beyond academics, I’m deeply committed to expanding academic outreach for first-generation students in underserved communities. I believe every student deserves the chance to pursue engineering and bring their passions to life. In my free time, I enjoy exploring my faith, reading, biking, making videos, and playing sports.

Preetal Deshpande

Hello! My name is Preetal Deshpande (she/her), and I’m from Cupertino, CA. I’m a junior at UC Berkeley, majoring in Bioengineering and minoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). From a young age, I’ve been passionate about healthcare and driven to make a meaningful impact in my community. Bioengineering allows me to combine my love for science and technology to improve lives through innovative research and biotechnology solutions. I’m deeply involved in research, constantly seeking to learn more about the human body and the incredible potential of technology in healthcare. Beyond coursework and the lab, I am passionate about bridging the gaps in STEM—whether it be addressing gender disparities, improving representation, or making education more accessible to underserved communities. I’m dedicated to educating and inspiring others, fostering a positive impact, and helping create an inclusive future for all.

Katerine Fuentes

Heyyy, my name is Katerine Fuentes (she/her/hers). I am a second-year engineering undeclared student who intends to major in civil engineering. I am from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.

I became interested in engineering at a very young age by living with my grandparents. It may sound cringey or weird, but because of how much I saw my grandpa struggle to find engineers to do work around his lands, it inspired me to become one. Once in high school, I pursued my goal of becoming an engineer, with my main objective being to design and construct new infrastructure projects for our community.

In my free time, I enjoy photography, cooking, playing soccer, vlogging on TikTok, hanging out with friends, and volunteering.

Adam Hacker

Hi, everyone! My name is Adam Hacker, and I am a sophomore studying Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with a minor in CalTeach (STEM Education). I grew up in Visalia, CA, part of California’s amazing Central Valley. Growing up in Visalia meant that I didn’t have much exposure to computer science, so at Cal, I’m determined to learn and make computer science education more accessible to rural regions.

I believe engineering is such a beautiful field because you can apply it to just about anything. So, whether you’re into building cool things, making creative ideas come to life, or anything in between, I encourage you to see how engineering can help. Outside of my academics, I love street photography and traveling the world!

Jordan Kam

Hello! My name is Jordan Kam (he/him/his), and I am from San Bernardino, CA. Currently, I am a senior undergraduate studying Aerospace Engineering here at UC Berkeley, with a passion for Space Technology. My motivation for choosing Aerospace Engineering lies in my dad’s dream of exploring the stars. My goal in life is to help others achieve that same wish through engineering and innovation. Outside of engineering, I am very passionate about spending time with my friends and connecting with people socially. Nothing beats a trip to the beach!

Isabella Meza

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella Meza, and I use she/ her pronouns. I’m from Antioch, California (East Bay Area, if you’re unfamiliar). I’m a transfer student in my senior year at Cal, majoring in Civil Engineering. I really wish more people knew that engineering is something anyone can get into, and it’s more accessible than it seems. There are so many opportunities here; sometimes it just takes stepping out of your comfort zone to find them. Pro tip: You don’t need to be a natural in math to choose the engineering path.

I’m especially interested in sustainability, and my focus in civil engineering is environmental work, but I love learning about all areas of civil engineering. I chose Berkeley because of its environmentally friendly campus and clubs. Outside of school, I like to go hiking, spend time with my family and pets, and read as much as I can!

Dylan O’Dwyer

Hi! My name is Dylan O’Dwyer (he/him), and I’m from the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. I’m a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Education. I have always wanted to help others through engineering, and Berkeley provides a place where I can master my skills in engineering while gathering different perspectives from my peers and professors. One perspective I have gained as an engineering student at Berkeley is that we are not always perfect or correct. In most cases, it takes multiple errors or mistakes to learn how to solve problems, and that’s the best way to learn. I am also a huge sports person. I played baseball for seven years, and I just bought a new glove to start playing catch again.

Mandy Pham

Hi, my name is Mandy Pham, and I use she/her pronouns. I am originally from Elk Grove/Sacramento and am a third-year student studying EECS (Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences). I am studying EECS to explore more opportunities and find interrelated disciplines that I would like to explore in industry and the educational sector.

I believe engineering should be accessible to all. As an ambassador and first-generation college student, I hope to provide resources, support, and advice to all students. Outside of engineering, I love to dance and am a part of Main Stacks and AFX Comp! Some other hobbies include cooking, hiking, cafe hopping, and trying new foods!

Barbara Rebolledo

Hello there! I’m Barbara Rebolledo (she/her/hers), currently a 2nd year student majoring in Civil Engineering. I grew up in both Chapin, South Carolina, and the state of Guerrero, Mexico. However, I attended High School in the Eastern Coachella Valley.

My passion for construction fuels my involvement on campus and my desire to learn something new every day! I have endless fun with my Civil Engineering competition teams, where I consistently grow my analytical and hands-on skills.

Outside the classroom, I love exploring new areas around me, whether it’s on my own or with those I love. Meeting new people, crafting, and exploring are always a treat to me!

I hope to cultivate the following values with those interested and currently in an engineering discipline:

A journey in engineering is a challenge worth taking as long as you’re working towards a career you enjoy and see yourself persevering in with joy!
Trusting the process and enjoying our present is as important as putting in the hard work for the future!
Every path you seek can be personalized and modified to your own needs. The beauty of the college path is the freedom you’re gifted to become and grow into your most desired self.

Shishira Somashekar

Hi everyone, my name is Shishira, and I use the she/her/hers pronouns. I am in my fourth year studying Industrial Engineering & Operations Research (IEOR) with a Data Science minor. I am from a town right outside of Durham, North Carolina!

I came to UC Berkeley as an Environmental Engineering Science major and have now made my way into IEOR. Switching majors has been a journey, and I am looking forward to exploring my interests in renewable energy/sustainability through the lens of IEOR. Outside of my coursework, I enjoy being outdoors, running, thrifting, and spending quality time with family and friends. I am excited to share how truly endless the possibilities with engineering are and that there is really no singular linear path that an engineer “should” take!