CSE-PACE Cohorts
- CSE Peer-led Academic Cohort Experiences
- Computing undergraduates new to campus in AY25-26,
- plan to attend one of the following in Fall 2025:
- Tuesdays 11:00AM - 12:20PM or
- Wednesdays 11:00AM - 12:20PM
- Both are in the CSE Building,
- room CSE 1202, on the first floor.
What are Peer-led Academic Cohort Experiences?
Join our weekly sessions to talk about CSE courses and the impacts of cutting-edge computing topics over free food. CSE-PACE is free, designed for all first-year computing students, and runs for the entire academic year. Earn 2 units of credit each quarter for participation by enrolling in CSE 89: Intro to CSE Seminar. Register first to help us make groups ahead of time. You can also just show up during cohort time during the first few weeks of the quarter, and we'll help you get started!
- Q: What will I do in a CSE-PACE session?
- Meet in a group with 8-10 other students and your lead peer mentor to talk about computing in the news, do a hands-on project, visit a cool place on campus, or try out something you're using in your classes.
- Q: Will I get course credit?
- Enroll in CSE 89 to earn course credits as part of participation in CSE-PACE. This course may count towards the lower division elective for CSE majors.
- Q: How do I join?
-
Come by during the cohort time anytime during the quarter
and we will help you get set up. To let us know you're interested ahead of time,
fill out the registration form and add CSE 89 to your class schedule.
- You might be able to enroll in CSE 89 directly on TritonLink.
- If not, add yourself to the waitlist, and check your @ucsd.edu email for instructions.
- Either way, come by during the class time so we can get you started.
Have more questions? Contact us at pace@ucsd.edu; scroll down to meet the team.
CSE-PACE Team
Ali El Lahib
Hi! I'm Ali and I'm a 4th year majoring in Computer Science at Revelle College! Within CS, I'm very interested in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. I have also been exploring philosophy, so sometimes you'll find me at UCSD's Philosophy Club! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Anya Chernova
My name is Anya, and I'm a fourth year Computer Science major. I enjoy exploring different areas of Computer Science to understand what I am most passionate about. My hobbies are drawing, snowboarding and swimming. In addition, I'm always excited to try out new activities whenever I get a chance. I am very happy to be your mentor and am really looking forward to meeting you! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or just want to chat!
Brendan Barber
Hello! I'm Brendan, a second-year CS major in Seventh College. When I'm not coding, you'll find me practicing violin, playing hockey, or rock climbing. And when I’m too tired for those things, I'll probably be lost in a good book, whether it's historical non-fiction, fantasy, or sci-fi.
D'ante McCurty
Hi my name is D'ante McCurty and I am a fourth year Computer Science major. I love everything pop culture as well as meeting new people. My favorite hobbies are playing video games and playing board games with my friends.
Gonzalo Allen-Perez
Hi there and welcome to PACE! I'm Gonzalo and I'm a 4th year CS major (and 2nd time PACE LPM). I'm really into dancing, tennis, reading, watching movies, and playing guitar. I'm always down for a chat at PACE or anywhere else on campus, so don't hesitate to reach out! Looking forward to another great year :)
Joshua Villanueva
Hello incoming students and welcome to PACE! My name is Joshua Villanueva and I am a low income, first generation, Computer Engineering student. I am happy and thankful to be a part of our UCSD family. Fun fact: A side hobby of mine is making music and when I am not doing that, I like to bury my head in a book, go on a fun hike, or go out to a concert with my friends.
Kathy Charry
Hi everyone! My name is Kathy, and I'm a second-year Computer Science student at Warren. I was a PACE student myself last year, and I'm so excited to be your Lead Peer Mentor this year! A little about me: I love playing volleyball, traveling, and going to the beach. I'm also a Logistics Lead for ACM Outreach and an active member of WIC. I can't wait to meet you all, please feel free to reach out with any questions or even just to chat! :)
Mia Chen
Hello! I'm Mia, a 3rd-year Computer Science major in Sixth College and a returning LPM. I love to eat, travel, and do outdoor activities. Super excited for another fun year with PACE and feel free to reach out with any questions!
Nikitha Maderamitla
Hi there! I'm Nikitha, a third-year CS major in Sixth. When I'm not in class or coding for soccer-playing robots, you'll find me getting involved with clubs like CSES and WIC, enjoying some time dancing, finding good food, spending time outdoors, or catching a good stand-up show. I was a PACE student myself during my first year, and I am so excited to return as your Lead Peer Mentor this year! Feel free to reach out with any questions or if you just want to chat :)
Ryan Batubara
Hello, I'm Ryan, a fourth year double majoring in Mathematics-Computer Science and Data Science from Indonesia. Having been both a mentee and lead-peer mentor at PACE, I'm excited to continue forming a community here!
Sachin Ramanathan
Hey everyone! I'm Sachin, a third-year Computer Science major at Muir. When I'm not trying to figure out why my code isn't working, I'm probably traveling somewhere new, trying out new food, or hitting the beach. I look forward to getting to know y'all this year :)
Sathwika Peechara
Hi!! I'm Sathwika, a second-year CS + Prob and Stats double major at Sixth. I love reading, going on hikes, and hanging out with friends in my free time. Right now, I do research in ECE, and am involved in WIC and CSES. I'm super excited to be an LPM this year and meet you guys! Feel free to reach out to me anytime, I'm always happy to help.
Yuval Pesok
Hi, I'm Yuval Pesok! I'm a computer science student at UCSD who loves building cool projects, learning new tech, and working with others. Excited to be part of CSE PACE and share this journey with you all!
Ray Zou
Hi everyone! I'm Ray, a second-year Master's student in CSE and the TA for CSE PACE. I love building intelligent systems and tools that empower humans, and I'm always up for a cool project. Outside of school, you'll usually find me experimenting in the kitchen or following motorsport news (especially F1 and WRC). If you ever want to chat about projects, food, or racing, feel free to reach out!
Dr. Joe Politz
Hello and welcome! Come visit my office on the third floor to talk about programming, San Diego, and dogs. You can find me posting puns, dog pictures, tech discussion and more on Twitter.
Dr. Kristen Vaccaro
Welcome to UCSD! You can find me on the third floor at the end of the hall (3226, there's also a nice lounge outside) where I'm happy to chat about social computing, UX, and design!
Dr. Mia Minnes
Welcome to UC San Diego! Come by my office on the fourth floor and check out colourful whiteboard markers, cool origami, and a view of our CSE Stone Bear mascot.
Discussion Starters
Some CSE-PACE discussions are directly related to your CSE courses, and others draw from news stories or videos about cutting-edge topics in computing. Here are a few examples of conversation starters for our sessions.
- How is artificial intelligence (mis)used?
- "Machine Bias - There's software used across the country to predict future criminals. And it's biased against blacks." [Magazine article]
- "Busting Anti-Queer Bias in Text Prediction" [USC news story]
- "TED Talk: How I'm fighting Bias in Algorithms" [TED Talk]
- "COMPUTERS IN A JAZZ ENSEMBLE? INVENTING IMPROVISATIONAL AI" [UCSD news story]
- "how to stop Artificial Intelligence from marginalizing communities?" [TEDx talk]
- Can computing destroy / save our planet and our communities?
- "The power of bugs" [UCSD news story]
- "Computing as a teammate in healthcare" [UCSD researcher video profile]
- "Cryptomining Capacity in U.S. Rivals Energy Use of Houston" [New York Times article]
- "Tossed aside in the "white gold" rush- indigenous people are left poor as tech world takes lithium from under their feet" [Washington Post article]
- "Bluetooth Signals Can be Used to Identify and Track Smartphones" [UCSD news story]
- "Improving Internet Security" [UCSD researcher video profile]
-
What would computing
for all look like? - "Why I Want my Voice Assistant to Speak Spanglish" [TEDx Talk]
- "Nike FlyEase" [Product line feature]
- "Lady Boss: Black Tech Founders" [Podcast episode]
- "Black in AI- researchers can't ignore social structure problems" [Magazine article]
- "Women and Information Technology: By the Numbers" [Infographic]
- "Grace Murray Hopper (1906-1992): A legacy of innovation and service" [Yale news story]
- "Inclusive CS Examples" [UCSD Professor blog post]
- "Introduction to: Anti-social computing" [Intro notes to Stanford course]
PACE Handbook
What classes should I take? How do I get involved with student organizations? How can I get started with personal projects or research or tutoring?
As a UC San Diego student, there's a ton of resources on campus available to help you on your academic and career journey. To help connect you with these resources, our LPMs have put together a first-year student handbook compiling common questions and our answers!
Disseminating PACE
Thinking of launching a program like CSE-PACE at your institution? Learn more and download resources and toolkits .