The Center for Global Education would like to introduce our newest members for the 2026-2027 term! The CGE student team is comprised of Peer Advisors, Graduate Students and Student Assistants, who are more than happy to answer any questions you may have or assist in any way possible. Students are welcome to come visit us from 9am to 5pm and speak with a Peer Advisor about general advising questions. Our Global First Steps sessions provide a more in-depth description of the types of programs, timelines, scholarships and more offered here at Chapman.
Cheers to our new team of students! You can learn more about them below
PEER ADVISORS
Name: Tatiana Rivas
Major: Communication Studies
Year: Junior
Dream Vacation Spot: Florence, Italy
Favorite food from abroad: Carne asada tacos
Interesting fact about you: I have a huge passion for Formula 1, go Ferrari!!
Name: Nicolas Carrillo
Major: Physics and Japanese Studies
Year: Senior
Dream vacation spot: All over Asia, spending time in each country learning the local language and practicing with locals.
Fav food from abroad: Tonkotsu ramen with a highball
Interesting fact: I collect many CDs from countries I visit.
Name: Sera Shimakura
Major: Psychology and Integrated Educational Studies
Year: Senior
Dream Vacation Spot: Germany
Favorite food from abroad: Gyoza or Lumpia
Interesting fact about you: I have the same birthday as my brother, but we’re not twins
Name: Faith McGeoff
Major: Creative Producing
Year: Sophomore
Dream Vacation: Dakar, Senegal or Nairobi, Kenya
Favorite food from abroad: Braai (a southern African barbeque. Once you try it, you’ll never go back!)
Interesting fact about you: I am the president of the Black Global Diaspora Alliance!
Name: Faby Martinez
Major: Broadcast Journalism and Documentary
Year: Junior
Dream Vacation Spot: Okinawa, Japan
Favorite food from abroad: Khao Soi (Highly recommend!)
Interesting fact about you: I have an Instagram dedicated to books
Graduate Assistants
Name: Nisa Rahimova
Major: English and Creative Writing
Year: Second year of Grad School
Dream Vacation: Seoul, South Korea
Favorite Food from abroad: Oladushki (pancakes)
Interesting Fact about me: I am a romance writer.
Name: Sofie Soekvist
Major: Marriage and Family Therapy
Year: First-year grad student
Dream Vacation Spot: Tuscany, Italy
Favorite food from abroad: Italian pizza (yes, I really love Italy!)
Interesting fact about you: I used to be a competitive figure skater
Name: Lauren Knapp
Major: Strategic Communication
Year: Graduate Student
Dream Vacation Spot: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Favorite food from abroad: Spice bags (It’s literally a bunch of fried food mixed with spices in a bag…10/10!)
Interesting fact about you: I’ve been throwing pottery for 15 years.
Exchange Student Assistant
Name: Christina Sakali
Major: Business & Economics
Year: Senior
Dream Vacation Spot: Bora Bora
Favorite Food from Abroad: Taiwanese soup dumplings!
Interesting Fact About Me: I have an Instagram account where I collect books from people in my hometown and donate them to charity.
