Celebrating First-Generation Students

A series of mentors helped Cleidir Mendes thrive at UML — and land a job at Fidelity Investments.

First-gen student Neyder Fernandez is president of the Student Government Association.

Jennica Hamm was mentored and is now a mentor herself, helping first-year students get acclimated to campus and academic life.

A research scholarship taught nursing student Alexa DeVito more about her chosen profession – and gave her a faculty mentor.

Accounting student Victor Souza knew all about hard work when he arrived at UMass Lowell. His focus was on getting involved during his undergraduate career — while also gaining valuable professional experience through internships.

Big ambitions, combined with practical thinking, led Jessica Tran to UMass Lowell.

Kelsey Gonzalez cares for asylum seekers as program manager for Global Disaster Response and Humanitarian Action at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Global Health.

Jacob Villeneuve was drawn to UML by its sound recording technology and Air Force ROTC programs.

Becoming a Red Sox Scholar in middle school set Nicole Carrasco-Cruz on course for her UML degree.

Asst. Teaching Prof. Yahayra Michel, who was a first-generation college student, found her mentors at UMass Lowell.

Twisha Mohapatra says her experiences in the River Hawk Scholars Academy and the Honors College have boosted her confidence, taught her leadership skills and set her up for academic success.

Isabella De Souza has won two scholarships that will allow her to study Spanish abroad, so she can bring multiple languages to her future nursing career.

Inspired by a summer program, Carolina Reyes is determined to become an English teacher at Lawrence High School.

As she begins her career at Fidelity, Yeaharne Hout sees how transformative her UML experience has been.

Marine Corps veteran Daryle LaMonica is on the fast track to becoming a doctor through the UMass Medical School Baccalaureate to M.D. Pathway Program.

Wonder Ahiatsi chose UMass Lowell for its B.S. in quantitative economics.

A staff accountant internship at Novogradac confirmed business major Heer Patel’s interest in auditing.

Juana Guerrero came to UML with strong academic credentials. A support program helped boost her confidence and leadership skills, too.

Javier Palma is earning a teaching license along with his B.S. in electrical engineering.

Student Government Association Vice President Nosagiegbon (Sai) Igiede takes advantage of leadership opportunities to develop his skills and support his classmates.

Caroline Owusu lost an internship because of the COVID-19 pandemic – and found a passion for research.

Douglas Correa Ospina plans to combine his studies in psychology and economics to help immigrants and others from marginalized groups become more financially secure.

As an aspiring broadcast meteorologist, Victoria Wisniewski was attracted to UML due to its bachelor’s-to-master’s programs, successful alumni and research opportunities.

Jessica Dossantos chose UMass Lowell for its patient simulation labs – and because her twin sister liked the university, too.

Jamie-Lyn Cavallon won an NSF-funded meteorology internship.

Shakira Fedna came to UMass Lowell because of the River Hawk Scholars Academy, a support program for first-generation college students.

Nazeli Acosta won a State Department Scholarship to study rural health care in the Dominican Republic.

2021 Student Commencement Speaker Jamie Smorczewski knows what it means to persevere, over injury, health issues, the pandemic and life’s curveballs.

Ralph Saint-Louis ’18, ’20 was recognized by Time Magazine as one of its 2022 Innovative Teachers.

Honors transfer student Fidel Castro wants to make a name for himself in the field of nanotechnology manufacturing.

Shirley Adubofour is putting her studies in political science and race and ethnic studies into practice as a student representative on UML’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force.

Debby Fernand says the River Hawk Scholars Academy has introduced her to friends and faculty mentors – and turned her into a leader herself.

Justin Baez Peguero is studying business, working three jobs and serving in student government.

Kevin Harrington’s love of the French language has translated into transformative academic research and a semester abroad in France.

After a successful recruiting and development career that has spanned the nonprofit, corporate and higher education worlds, political science alumna Sophan Smith ’02 has come full circle as the new executive director for EforAll Lowell, the nonprofit small business accelerator started at UMass Lowell.

Honors College student Daphne Shakira Naut was already fluent in two languages and had started on two more by the time she finished high school. Here at UML, she’s picked up a fifth language and studied abroad three times – all while supporting herself.

Coral Gonzalez set her sights on becoming a nurse after she was hospitalized in middle school. The Honors College student won one of the first Oprah Winfrey Scholarships to help her succeed.

Emily Crespo came to UML for its affordability – and for the River Hawk Scholars Academy, now a supportive community for first-year, first-generation college students.

The River Hawk Scholars Academy, a support program for first-generation college students, gave Monica Kong the confidence she needed to succeed – and lead.

A first-generation college student, Jeremy Duford was nervous about starting college. He says the River Hawk Scholars Academy was a tremendous support.

Karam Alafandi is studying history on his way to becoming a doctor.

Business administration major Keviana-Joy George transformed from a shy transfer student to an outgoing student leader who is on track for a career in human resources.

As student newspaper editor, Ashley Rivera helps other people tell stories.

Dana Ibrahim chose UMass Lowell for its peace and conflict studies program, which lets her combine classes across the social sciences and humanities to suit her goal: to become a diplomat and aid refugees.

Tariq Brathwaite’s superpowers — creativity and work ethic — have already taken him farther than he dreamed possible.

Jonathan Aguilar ’21 started a 3D printing company as an undergrad that he now runs at the Haverhill Innovation Hub.

Veyli Ortiz Solis earned a B.S. in criminal justice in just three years – with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Jack Callahan is pursuing a public health degree to improve the lives of as many people as possible.

Gifty Kessie takes advantage of opportunities to learn and grow – and then turns around and offers a helping hand to others.

Lana Bashir fell in love with UMass Lowell when she toured the campus.

Kristin Kihara started her own digital magazine, Black, highlighting creators who “aren’t really seen.”

Sean Simonini is making an impact at the Statehouse and beyond.

Honors College student Jennifer Dossantos is majoring in business because she’s inspired by her mom.

As one of the university’s first DC-CAP Scholars, mechanical engineering major Kevin Akers is pursuing his dream of becoming an astronaut — while also continuing to make a difference in the lives of others.

The Moloney Student Fellowship Fund allowed Mathew D’Entremont to take an unpaid internship with a Lowell nonprofit.

For Nery Rodriguez, public health is the perfect major to combine science with helping people and communities.

Valeria Saldana knew she had found a welcoming community from her first visit to campus.

Business student Nadine Chamoun stepped out of her comfort zone for an IT internship. And she’s glad she did.

Clinical Assoc. Prof. Edgar Torres was the first in his family to go to college. Now, he’s a mentor to first-year, first-generation college students.

Janelle Christopher started studying at UMass Lowell at the same time as her mom, Lorraine.