Congratulations Class of 2021!! You did it!

Wed, 19 May 2021 23:17:39 -0400

Congratulations to all our First-Generation College Student Graduates!
In honor of May graduation, we'd like to introduce a few of our first-gen grads, in their own words:

Ketsia René - B.A. in Psychology

What it means to be a first-generation college graduate means being able to have the future my parents desperately worked for me to have. My parents supported me through my many major changes they just want me to have a career that I would enjoy...and survive financially lol.

Post-Grad Plans: Grad school for sure all the way to doctorate. Might even mess around and get another bachelor. But a gap year for now, Lord knows I need it!

Jasmine Bonilla - Mechanical Engineering

Being a first gen college student means that I was able to carry out the dreams of both my immigrant parents when they came to this country against all odds. I am extremely blessed. My mother supported me in completing my degree. She brought me home cooked meals to campus when I had limited time to cook for myself, and always gave me the push that I needed when I felt like I wanted to give up. I love her so much.

Post-Grad Plans: I plan to work as a Pathways Engineer at Northrop Grumman.

Vivi Tran - B.S. in Biological Sciences, Minor in Management of Aging Services

Itzel Pineda - B.A. in Psychology

Being a first-generation college graduate means that all the sacrifices that my parents made to leave everything behind was all worth it in the end. They left everything behind to ensure that I received a great education.

Post-Grad Plans: Grad school/nursing school.

Natalie Matthews - B.A. in Theatre, Minor in Psychology

The entire theatre department has supported me throughout my completion of my degree. Adam Mendelson specifically, who has been helping me and being a mentor for me since I was a senior in High School. I've taken classes with him, worked on projects with him, and spent hours of meetings with him. He's helped me refine my design process and taught me something new every single time I've seen him.

Post-Grad Plans: In the Fall of 2022 I plan to continue my studies in theatre by going to graduate school for an M.F.A in Lighting Design.

Jenifer Gomez - B.S. in Psychology and Philosophy

It's an exciting and thrilling feeling to know that I am one of my first generations to graduate. I am honored to be graduating at UMBC and I hope to give inspiration to many more to come. I want to give thanks to my sister who has always supported me throughout the many years in school and to my mother who has expressed how proud she is of me. To all my Philosophy profs who have not only taught me everything I know but have inspired me to continue my career. I also want to thank my two best friends Monica and Aileen for always supporting me through my school career too.

Post-Grad Plans: I plan to pursue Philosophy as a master's degree and practice medicine.