Staff

Cici recently graduated from UC Davis in Winter 2026 with a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology. During her time at UC Davis, she served as a Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for the Pre-Health Conference for two years, helping connect students with valuable opportunities and resources. She also has experience in healthcare as an EMT and Home Provider, giving her firsthand insight into patient care and the pre-health journey. In addition to her healthcare and outreach experiences, Cici has worked as a peer tutor, where she discovered her passion for teaching and mentoring others. She enjoys helping students navigate challenges, build confidence, and achieve their academic and professional goals. Outside of work and academics, she is a sports enthusiast who loves both playing and watching basketball, tennis, and golf. She also enjoys watching dramas and exploring new hobbies and activities whenever she gets the chance. At HPA, Cici is excited to help students access as many resources and opportunities as possible. She looks forward to coordinating and promoting events that support students on their pre-health journeys and help them make the most of everything HPA has to offer.

Maia graduated from UC Davis in 2024 with a degree in Human Biology and a Minor in Religious Studies. During her gap year, she worked as an EMT and applied to nursing schools, and is now a MEPN student at UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. Outside of work and school, Maia loves going on walks in nature, eating good food, and playing board games with friends. She looks forward to sharing my passion for nursing with students considering the nursing path and guiding students and alumni through the preparation and application process.

Born and raised in Fresno, California, Kassy Vang (she/her) is the youngest daughter of Hmong refugees. Kassy obtained her B.A. in Public Health and Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley, where she engaged in educational mentorships and outreach efforts of Southeast Asian and Hmong student organizations to bridge the gap between higher education and students of color. After graduating, Kassy served as a College Advising Fellow with UC Berkeley’s Destination College Advising Corps (DCAC), providing college preparation services to first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented high school students in the Bay Area. While pursuing her Master’s in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Access and Success at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Kassy held several roles: Academic Advising Graduate Intern in the Department of Sociology, Residence Coordinator for the 2024 Summer Bridge Scholars Program through the Comprehensive Studies Program (CSP), and the Academic Services Graduate Intern with the Residential College. Now serving as the Pre-Health Program Advisor, Kassy is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel comfortable seeking guidance, while offering consistent and quality advising services to help students navigate their academic journey and make informed decisions.

Robyn graduated from UC Davis in Spring of 2021 as a Communication major and Latin minor. She began her work with HPA as a member of the Pre-Health Ambassador Network (PHAN) in 2019, before transitioning to peer advising. She has since progressed to working as a Staff Advisor to continue supporting both undergrad and HPA post-bac students in their pre-health journeys. In her free time, Robyn enjoys plant keeping, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.

Gloria is a first-year veterinary student at UC Davis. She earned a bachelor's degree in Animal Biology, also from UC Davis, and went straight into veterinary school after graduating. She intends on practicing mixed animal medicine with a focus on One Health and improving access to veterinary care. Outside of school, Gloria enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking and baking, and playing board and card games. In joining the HPA team, she is excited to support fellow students as they pursue their health professional goals!

Sierra is a graduate of Sonoma State University, earning her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. During her time in college, she played on the Napa Valley College Women's Golf team and was a member of the Sports Business Club at SSU. Sierra began her career in marketing working at a premier motorsports facility, focusing on marketing and events execution. In joining the HPA team, Sierra is excited to curate and host events to help students pursue their education goals and careers. Sierra loves to fill her time with golf, creative projects, and attempting sourdough recipes. Additionally, she serves on a board of a local organization that assists the community through wildfire education and mitigation projects.

Jennie studied Intercultural Healing, an interdisciplinary degree in Anthropology, Public Health and Folklore at UNC Chapel Hill. Through this coursework, she explored how people make meaning of illness and healing in diverse cultures in her hometown and around the world. After graduation, she took her liberal arts education to practical application as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo, West Africa, where she worked towards the eradication of Guinea Worm disease. Add this intellectual and experiential background to 10 years of advising students and coordinating experiential education programs at UC Davis, and you can see why Jennie is excited to support your career and self-development. In her free time, Jennie can be found kayaking the rivers of the Central Valley.  Jennie looks forward to finding the right balance of challenge and support for you and to assisting you when you need help navigating.

Manisha is an alumna of UCD and has been with Health Professions Advising since October 2017. Prior to coming to HPA, she worked as an Academic Advisor for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean’s Office and served as pre-health advisor and career counselor at another UC and a private school for a number of years. As a first-generation college student, Manisha is avid about supporting students and alumni reach their personal, academic and professional goals. She is currently in the PhD in Education Program at UC Davis. Outside of work, Manisha enjoys baking, reading and planning her next adventure.