Spring 2025 Peer Advisers
The schedule for peer advisers is available below.
Did you know that the Economics Department hosts a team of trained student peer advisers ready to help anyone seeking to enhance their university experience? We encourage everyone to use this resource to ask questions, seek advice, and receive help to make informed, efficient decisions.
Trained peer advisers are available to assist student peers with:
- personal academic plans
- general questions about the majors and courses
- major declaration assistance
- Study Abroad Department approval forms
Peer advisers can be reached by email for appointments and advising at econpeer@ucsc.edu or directly by Zoom via our advising calendar. (Zoom meetings are limited to UCSC students).
Our trained peer advisers are economics majors who strive to make your college journey a little smoother. "We speak from our own personal experiences and are extremely happy to help out anyone who seeks it."
Our team currently consists of three lead peer advisers, Kushi Keertipati, Divya Ramesh and Kayson Tang, and nine peer advisers enrolled in a two-unit course designed to fully capture the peer advising experience. If you are interested in peer advising and have the enthusiasm and aptitude to help others, we typically accept applications every quarter and encourage you to apply here!
Richard Chung
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: TTH 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., W 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Hi everyone! My name is Richard (he/him) and I am a third-year business management economics major with a minor in statistics. I am also a part of the professional business fraternity on campus, Alpha Kappa Psi! In my free time, I love listening to music, playing volleyball, and spending time with loved ones! I am super excited to be a part of the peer advising team! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Evelyne Gong
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: WF 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Hi everyone, my name is Evelyne (she/her), and I am a fourth-year majoring in business management economics with the accounting concentration. I’m also a third-year out-of-state transfer student, so I’m happy to answer any questions regarding my experience. In my free time, I love to bake, watch documentaries, and am always listening to music! Feel free to reach out with any questions!
Kushi Keertipati (Lead)
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: MWF 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon, TTh 9:40 a.m. - 12:00 noon, 3:15-4:00 p.m.
Hello everyone! My name is Kushi and I am currently a second-year student and a John R. Lewis affiliate majoring in business management economics. In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, and gardening. I am very much looking forward to being a peer adviser and hope to help you all out with any questions you may have!
Kyle Kunishige
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: MT 1:30 - 4:00 p.m., W 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Hey, my name is Kyle. I am a third year business management economics major with an accounting concentration. I am passionate about finance and founded the Investment Banking Academy club at UC Santa Cruz. Outside of school I like working out, backpacking, snowboarding, and golf.
Divya Ramesh (Lead)
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: MF 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., T 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, W 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Hi everyone! My name is Divya, and I am a fourth-year transfer student majoring in economics/mathematics. I'm an international student from Malaysia, and am affiliated with Merrill College. Outside of class, I love playing my guitar and bass, and I am also learning photography. Please reach out to me with any questions you may have!
Kavan Samant
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: MW 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Hi there! My name is Kavan and I am a second-year Stevenson affiliate majoring in business management economics with the accounting concentration and I am minoring in both legal studies and Technology Information Management. I love reading, watching sports, hiking, and going to the gym in my free time. I would love to help you with any questions that you have, feel free to ask.
Jennifer Sotelo Perez
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: M 11:00 a.m. - 12 noon, MW 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Hello! My name is Jennifer and I’m a fifth-year economics major with a minor in politics. I go by she/her/hers and I’m affiliated with Kresge College. I am one of four children from San Diego, CA. When I have free time, I often find myself knitting, crocheting, sewing, going on adventures to the nearest flower field, practicing my German and looking for ways to travel abroad. Feel free to reach out for advice, whether on economics courses or travel information!
Shilpa Suresh
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: ThF 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Hi everyone! My name is Shilpa (she/her) and I am a junior majoring in economics with a minor in statistics. Some of my hobbies include: hiking, reading, and playing volleyball. After I graduate, I would love to travel and pursue my master’s degree. I am super excited to join the peer advising team, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Kayson Tang (Lead)
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: MWF 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, M 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., W 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., Th 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., F 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Hello, my name is Kayson and I am a third-year business management economics, cognitive science (artificial Intelligence/human computer interaction), and psychology major. I am part of the Income Dynamics Lab in the Economics Department as well as a research assistant under Professor Roger Schoenman in the Politics Department. I am also the vice-chair for Merrill Student Government and co-president for Business Economics Academia (BEA). I also work for UC Santa Cruz’s Information Technology Services and as an independent contractor for NexTrend Products, Inc. regarding e-commerce management for nearly two years. I'm very excited to join the peer advising team this quarter! 
Matteo Tasso Tiete Da Silva
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: TTh 9:15 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Hey everyone, my name is Matteo and I'm a third-year business management economics major with a minor in computer science. I'm also the founder and president of the Investment Banking Academy here on campus. Outside of class, I enjoy playing and watching sports, especially soccer, going on bike rides, and traveling. Feel free to reach out if you need any advice!
Meghana Tirunagaru
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: TTh 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Hi, my name is Meg and I’m a second year Stevenson affiliate. I’m a business management economics major with a minor in technology information management. In my free time, I love going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and playing basketball. Please reach out to me with any questions you may have!
David Zhou
econpeer@ucsc.edu
Schedule: TTh 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., F 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Hi guys! My name is David and I am a third-year Stevenson affiliate, majoring in business management economics with with a minor in technology information management. In my free time, I enjoy lifting, hiking, playing basketball, hanging out with family and friends, traveling and exploring places. I'm here to help you with any questions you may have!
