The Young Women’s Leadership School of the Bronx Class of 2019 ● SUNY Geneseo Class of 2023 ● Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Student Mentor
While I was one of the top of my class, I struggled with making a college decision which my director of college counseling (DCC) understood and helped me navigate. I struggled throughout the college decision process because my dream school, Williams College, waitlisted me early on. Additionally, I did not get into the Posse or Questbridge scholarships I worked hard on applying and interviewing for. These factors discouraged and disappointed me throughout the process but my DCC kept me encouraged and informed about my options.
I am learning to be more open and less guarded as I meet new people with different mindsets and morals. I have learned to deal with the lack of diversity at my school by being as involved as possible.
I now attend SUNY Geneseo with a major in Communication: Journalism & Media and a minor in US Social Conflict Studies. College upstate was much different than where I grew up in the Bronx! I was exposed to people other than people of color – sometimes being the only person of color in my classes. I also had to deal with males in the classroom, something I haven’t had to do since elementary school! I am learning to be more open and less guarded as I meet new people with different mindsets and morals. I have learned to deal with the lack of diversity at my school by being as involved as possible in making Geneseo a safer and more welcoming environment.
I am on the Geneseo Varsity Track & Field Team and have a job on campus as a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Student Mentor in the Communication department. I was nominated to become the Head Communication Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) Student Mentor by one of my professors in the department.
This role has given me the opportunity to connect with the faculty in the department and discuss how they can better meet the needs of underrepresented students as well as talk with students in and outside of my department about their experiences at Geneseo to advocate for them.