Advising
Unsure of the first step in your service journey? Questions about a service program? Advisors at the Haas Center are happy to help.
General service advising
It can be overwhelming to choose from the large number of service opportunities available at Stanford. At the Haas Center, we’re here to help you find opportunities that are a good fit for you!
Visit us on the first floor in the Bing Information and Resource Center (BIRC) for walk-in advising or schedule a time with a Haas Center Peer Advisor (scroll down). We also offer study breaks, workshops, and retreats throughout the year to help you build service skills, explore careers, and develop as a leader.
Haas Center Peer Advisors
The Haas Center Peer Advisors are current Stanford students who have participated in a variety of Stanford public service opportunities. They are available to answer questions from students about Cardinal Service opportunities throughout campus and beyond. Feel free to reach out and ask them for advice on all things public service!
See also:
Kaden Nguyen is a junior majoring in political science with minors in environmental justice and Asian American studies. Passionate about climate justice and public service, Kaden has pursued opportunities across government, advocacy, and research spaces—from supporting environmental litigation with the Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division to developing greenhouse gas inventory reporting tools and community impact reports with the U.S. Climate Alliance. In the past year, he has worked on federal energy and AI data center policy analysis at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and previously delegated with Californian climate leaders at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity with Point Blue Conservation Science. On campus, Kaden serves on advisory boards for the Asian American Activities Center and Partnerships for Climate Justice in the Bay Area and is a Leadership, Action, and Organizing Fellow through the Office for Religious & Spiritual Life. Outside of the Haas Center, he’s involved with the Stanford ACLU and Stanford Asian American Action Committee. He enjoys designing zines, cafe-hopping, and identifying recession indicators in pop-culture. Come chat with Kaden if you’re interested in environmental justice, policy internships, or how to get plugged into advocacy communities!
Canon Pham is a junior pursuing a bachelor’s in data science and social systems with a minor in biology and a notation in science communication. She was introduced to the Haas Center through Ignite, a former public service pre-orientation program that exposed incoming students to the Bay Area community and Haas Center programs. After this, she became a Frosh Service Liaison in her dorm (Cedro) and helped to pilot the Public Service Immersion Program for sophomores. Hearing the experiences of others in the rare disease community through her advocacy with the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases has made her passionate about raising awareness for equitable healthcare and the urgency for rare disease research. Canon is also the co-president of Common Origins (Stanford’s largest non-audition dance group), the external operations exec of BIOME (BioEngineering Interdisciplinary Open Maker Environment), and a member of the incoming iGEM team (International Genetically Engineered Machine). She also loves spending time with friends and family, listening to a mix of pop and Broadway musical soundtracks, and exploring new cities (especially food spots)! Come see Canon to ask about getting involved in service as a student or just to chat!
Dylan Vergara is a senior getting a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s in Sociology. Since his frosh year, Dylan has been immersed in Stanford’s public service opportunities as a resident at Otero and Frosh Service Liaison. Inspired by public service in the government, he was a Cardinal Quarter fellow on Capitol Hill in the summer of 2023, where he worked for Rep. Julia Brownley to fight for climate solutions and healthcare. In 2024, he was a Global Studies Fellow working for the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Estonia. Dylan has also worked for the Environment and Natural Resources Division at the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. He hopes to pursue a career at the intersection of law and policy. Outside of the Haas Center, Dylan is involved in Stanford in Government as the co-head of StanfordVotes and is a member of Stanford ACLU, the California Policy Collective, and the ASSU Judicial Panel. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball, going to the beach, and watching new movies. Come see Dylan if you want to talk about anything service-related or make a new friend!
Mary Yoon is a sophomore planning to major in International Relations and Economics. A proud Chicago native, Mary’s commitment to public service is shaped by her work with grassroots organizations that serve diverse communities across the city. This past summer, she interned at Northwestern Law School’s Center for Racial and Disability Justice as a Public Interest Law Fellow, where she supported research and policy initiatives focused on the experiences of disabled people of color. At Stanford, Mary is actively involved in student life as a previous Frosh Council representative and Vice President of her frosh dorm Arroyo, the current president of the Asian American Student Association and a member of Stanford Women in Law. Outside of her work on campus, she enjoys morning yoga, hiking local Bay Area trails with friends, and treating herself to overpriced matcha drinks. She’s always happy to chat—whether you’re exploring public service opportunities or just want to connect!
Program advising
Find advising for specific Cardinal Service programs.
Cardinal Careers advising
Staff who specialize in Cardinal Careers advising are available to help you navigate your service career search or apply for a fellowship.
Contact the Cardinal Careers team
Cardinal Commitment advising
Need advice on declaring your Commitment or help finding an organization to work with?
Contact Cardinal Commitment program staff
Cardinal Quarter advising
Speak with peers who have completed one or more Cardinal Quarter Fellowships to learn about available opportunities and receive guidance for the application process.
Contact a Cardinal Quarter Peer Advisor
Community Service Work-Study advising
Connect with current students who can help student navigate all parts of the application process for Community Service Work-Study (CSWS).