PolyCentric University News Center

Sommarani (Mayra) Chan

Elke Azpeitia (left) and Chan (center) help a student veteran complete his acceptance to Cal Poly Pomona during an Everyday is Veterans Day event in 2018.

Student Veteran Fueled by Military Experience, Parents’ Struggles

Posted December 1, 2020 / Nancy Yeang

Sommarani (Mayra) Chan’s focus in nutrition stems from two personal experiences: when she was seven, her mom had a stroke at age 39; when she left the army in 2014, her transition to civilian life was aided by exercising and…

Student Veteran Mayra Chan stands on a balcony in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Student Veteran Attends State of the Union Address, Returns Inspired by Democracy

Posted February 12, 2018 / Cynthia Peters

On Jan. 30, Sommarani (Mayra) Chan, a master’s student in agriculture, visited Washington, D.C., for the first time. She ended her trip sitting in the gallery of the U.S. Congress listening to President Donald Trump give his first State the…