Sanjana Gumma

Hometown: Chicago, IL. 

Future Career: Physician

Personal Interests: I’m fueled by coffee and love experimenting with my Nespresso. I also love watching movies and have an eternal love affair with music. Basically, if there’s caffeine, a good film, or a catchy tune involved, you can bet I’m there.

Campus Involvement: I am actively engaged on campus through a variety of leadership and research roles. I serve as Vice President for both the SHARED Club and the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative, Social and Spirit Chair for Circle K, Head of Social Media for NeuroTech, and work as a lab intern in the MARCU Lab.

How can I help you: I want to help students as a peer mentor by providing the guidance and support that made a big difference to me during my first year of college. I hope to help incoming freshmen navigate the challenges of transitioning from high school to college. I want to create a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, exploring opportunities, and gaining confidence. Being a UHP Mentor would allow me to give back to the Honors Program and support students in making the most of their time at UC Davis.

When I started at UC Davis I felt...overwhelmed by the sudden independence and new expectations, but also excited for the opportunities to learn and find my place in the community.

Advice for incoming first-year UHP students: My advice to incoming first-year UHP students is to be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to reach out for help. It's natural for everything to feel overwhelming at first. What helped me was exploring different resources, joining clubs, and connecting with people who shared my interests. Balance is key! Take your academics seriously, but also make time for activities that fill your cup. Building relationships and a support system early on made my transition so much smoother, and I know it can do the same for you