Alumni Achievements
The mission of ICI is to transform lives and communities–one student at a time. Our students truly are Changemakers, they consistently build on their own achievement to improve the lives of others. We are proud to feature alumni from all three programs and celebrate their diverse accomplishments. Each of their journeys represent a living example of our mission to transform lives and communities—one student at a time.
Upward Bound
Cheyenne Cobb
Cheyenne Cobb, earned dual degrees in Communications and Spanish from UCLA while working full-time. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Jenni’s Flower, a nonprofit dedicated to the healing and empowerment of transition-age foster youth. With over a decade of advocacy experience, she has been recognized nationally for her leadership, including honors from Mayor Karen Bass and the California State Assembly.
Terré Block
Terré Block earned his B.A. in History from UCLA in 2018 and his J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law in 2022. He currently serves as an Investigator with the Employee Benefits Security Administration under the U.S. Department of Labor, where he helps enforce Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. He remains connected to his community and values mentorship, education, and continued professional growth in the legal field.
Gabriel Vancea
Gabriel Vancea earned his B.S. in Marketing and Finance from the University of San Francisco. He has held leadership roles in billion-dollar organizations and currently works as an executive at Accenture Song, the world's largest tech-powered creative group. In 2021, he founded the Advance Forward Foundation, supporting TRIO-eligible students through mentorship, financial literacy, and scholarships. He is also the author of Gentleman 101: The Complete Guide for the Modern Man, a book promoting values of respect, sincerity, and dignity.
Student Support Services
Kobe Huynh
Kobe Huynh graduated from the USD in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He is currently working as a Clinical Research Assistant at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Reflecting on his time in the SSS program, Kobe fondly recalls Summer Bridge as his favorite memory. His advice to current students is to actively engage with campus life: “Get involved on campus! Whether it’s doing research with faculty or joining a student org, there are plenty of opportunities to find your community on campus.”
Cassidy Rojas
Cassidy Rojas graduated from the USD in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, along with double minors in Philosophy and Theology. She currently serves as a Service Coordinator and Mental Health Associate for the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DD). Her advice to SSS students is: “SSS was an amazing resource for me during my years at USD. Also, reach for the stars because nothing is out of reach. I graduated with my sweet baby girl, who was born a month prior, by my side. Accept the support that SSS offers and rely on those who want to help you — it pays off.”
Lexus Garcia
Lexus Garcia graduated from USD in 2021, where she earned a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Sociology. She currently works at the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of California and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Criminology, Law, and Society at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Her advice is to: “Connect with other SSS students who you can relate to AND your SSS academic advisors. You can learn from and rely on so many different people with varying experiences during your time in SSS and at USD. Don't be afraid to get involved and try new things—make your undergrad experience unique. Study abroad if you are able to do so!”
McNair Scholars
Tenure Track FacultyDr. Daren R. Ginete
Dr. Daren R. Ginete, earned his B.A. in Biology from the University of San Diego with a minor in chemistry. While at USD, he was actively involved in the Biology Club, Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization, Phi Delta Epsilon, and the Honors Program. He earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he focused on host-microbe interactions. He now works as an Associate Advisor at the Science Philanthropy Alliance, collaborating with philanthropic funders to support scientific research. Dr. Ginete has been recognized as a Civic Science Fellow and an Equity in Philanthropy Fellow.
Rachyl Pines
Dr. Rachyl Pines graduated from USD in 2014 with a B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Spanish. At USD, she was active in the Lambda Pi Eta and Sigma Delta Pi honor societies, while also performing as a professional dancer with City Ballet of San Diego. Rachyl earned her M.A. (2016) and Ph.D. (2020) in Communication from UC Santa Barbara. She currently serves as a Research Scientist and Senior Manager at Stanford Medicine in the Office of Patient Experience where she conducts communication training for physicians and research to advance physician communication excellence to add to the body of knowledge on relationship-centered care and communication in healthcare. Dr. Pines has published 32 peer-reviewed articles and delivered over 30 presentations internationally.
Lilia Baldauf
Dr. Lilia Baldauf graduated from USD in 2018 with a B.A. in Chemistry and Music. As a McNair Scholar, she participated in Choral Scholars, ACS Chemistry E-Board, and Mu Phi Epsilon, while conducting research under Dr. Christopher Daley's mentorship. Dr. Baldauf earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from UC Davis in December 2023, supported by ARCS and NSF-AGEP fellowships. Now a postdoctoral scholar at UC San Diego, she researches metalloenzyme inhibitors and has authored seven publications.