Gemma Sangervasi

Major: 

Psychology and Computer Science

Hometown: 

Davis, CA

What are your campus involvements? 

Currently President of Power Lifting Club on campus, worked for First-and Second-Year Transition (FAST) programs for 3 years, and was the Alpha Lambda Delta president for 2 years.
 

What is your favorite memory or experience at SSU? 

My favorite experience was working with first and second-year Transition programs when Jumpstart had become a thing on campus. It was so exciting being able to build connections with all the new students, some of them I still talk to while on campus. I found it very fulfilling to show students that there is a community on campus for them.
 

What has been the most challenging part of your college experience and what did you learn from it? 

My most challenging part of my experience in college was my computer science classes. I felt such an extreme impostor phenomenon, I still do to this day, honestly. It especially didn’t help that it is a very male-dominated work environment, and degree, I was no stranger to being ignored even if I had the right answer. I have found some really great people through my program, my professors especially, who made me feel ok to be bad at things when you’re learning them. Computer science is a difficult degree, but I have found many who have helped me to gain a better understanding of these topics. Without them I truly don’t know where I would be. Because of them I try to be open about my experiences, and I hope to make other people feel seen while taking these classes.
 

What brought you to SSU, and what motivates you to stay? 

I came to SSU because I needed a break from the Bay Area. I needed some new scenery. What has kept me has been the community I have found through my work, my classes, and my power-lifting club. I really feel like I have been able to find my people and continue to find mentors who are interested in making a difference within our community. They serve as role models to me and the different qualities I want to exhibit as I move through the world.
 

Who at SSU has influenced you and/or made an impact on your journey here? 

The people who have made the biggest impacts on my journey here have been Dr.Malpica, Dr. Gondree, Dr. Gill, Dr. Rivoire, Edward Casillas, Michael Eynon, and all of my friends!! I’m incredibly grateful for them and their support.