Samira Ali
Wellesley College
Samira is a graduate of Snowden International High School and is attending Wellesley College, where she is studying Economics. As the child of immigrant parents, she is pursuing a college degree to honor their sacrifices and resilience while building on her passion for education and community impact. She hopes to use her degree to strengthen her skills in data analysis and policy to contribute to business and economic initiatives that positively impact communities.
Ja'Niyah Black
Northeastern University
Ja'Niyah is a graduate of the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science and is attending Northeastern University, where she is studying Architecture. Inspired by her family and community, she is pursuing a college degree to gain the skills needed to make a lasting impact on the world around her. She hopes to build a career in architecture focused on expanding access to affordable housing for low-income communities.
Jeffrey Cardichon
Northeastern university
Jeffrey is a graduate of Belmont Hill School who is attending Northeastern University to study Computer and Electrical Engineering. He is pursuing a college degree to pave a new path for his family while turning his passion for technology into a meaningful career. With a clear goal of becoming a systems engineer, Jeffrey hopes to design the hardware and software that power modern technology.
Ghafour Tamba Babaen Diallo
Boston College
Ghafour is a graduate of Lynn English High School and is attending Boston College through the Messina College program, where he is studying Applied Data Science. Through leadership roles in JROTC, the National Honor Society, athletics, and community service, he has developed a passion for serving others and understanding the needs of their community. He is pursuing a college degree to reach the highest level of education possible and create meaningful change in society.
Erin Hagan
Brown University
Erin is a graduate of The Winsor School and is attending Brown University, where she is studying International and Public Affairs while exploring Economics and Psychology. Inspired by her immigrant parents and the sacrifices they made to create opportunities for her, she is pursuing a college degree to maximize her education and future impact. Through her writing and youth-led advocacy work, Erin has developed a passion for addressing systemic inequalities and amplifying diverse voices. She hopes to build a career in business consulting and public policy, using her education to create meaningful change for marginalized communities.
Marie-Elena Kabongo
UMASS Lowell
Marie-Elena is a graduate of Framingham High School and is pursuing a degree in Biology. She is attending UMass Lowell to build a better future for herself and her family while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to make a meaningful impact. Inspired by her passion for helping others, Marie-Elena hopes to pursue a career in the medical field where she can provide care and support to others.
WaiKit Kwan
northeastern university
WaiKit is a graduate of Snowden International High School and is attending Northeastern University, where he plans to explore business-related fields while discovering his future career path. As a first-generation college student and immigrant, he is inspired by his family’s sacrifices and views higher education as an opportunity for personal growth, independence, and creating new opportunities for the future. He hopes to use his college experience to gain hands-on knowledge, develop professional skills, and create a meaningful impact in the world around him.
Ana Victoria Lima
massachusetts college of pharmacy and health sciences
Ana Victoria is originally from Brazil and is a graduate of Somerville High School. She is attending Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where she is studying Health Studies on the pre-dental track. Inspired by her grandfather, a physician in Brazil, Ana has dreamed of becoming a doctor since childhood. She hopes to use her degree to provide quality healthcare to individuals and families who lack access to insurance and medical services.
Mileydi Lopez Merida
bowdoin college
Mileydi is a graduate of Lynn Classical High School and is attending Bowdoin College, where she is studying Economics. Inspired by her parents and the barriers they faced in accessing education, she is pursuing a college degree to create new opportunities and continue her family’s journey. Mileydi hopes to use her education to give back to her community and support individuals who face limited resources and opportunities. She aspires to build a career focused on helping others and creating meaningful change through service and advocacy.
Hellen Martinez Laine
Umass amherst
Hellen is a graduate of Chelsea High School and is attending the UMass Amherst at the Daniel J. Riccio Jr. College of Engineering, where she is studying Chemical Engineering. As the daughter of immigrants, Hellen is pursuing a college degree to achieve the educational opportunities her parents were unable to access. She hopes to become a chemical engineer and pursue a career in the cosmetics industry, specifically in makeup or skincare. Through her journey, Hellen hopes to be a role model for her younger sister and inspire other young Hispanic students to pursue their goals in fields where they are underrepresented.
Neicka Mathias
suffolk UNIVERSITY
Neicka is a graduate of TechBoston Academy and is attending Suffolk University, where she is studying Corporate Accounting and Finance. She is pursuing a college degree to create a better future for herself and her family while honoring her parents’ hard work and sacrifices. With a passion for numbers and problem-solving, Neicka hopes to build a career in accounting and finance while creating opportunities to support others. She aspires to achieve financial success, retire her parents, and eventually open a daycare to provide support for families in her community.
Sofia Minasidis
Boston university
Sofia is a graduate of Snowden International High School at Copley and is attending Boston University, where she plans to pursue a career in physical therapy. Inspired by the healthcare professionals who supported her as a child and her personal experiences with family members facing mobility challenges, she is pursuing a college degree to help others regain strength, independence, and confidence. Sofia hopes to become a physical therapist and provide care that improves the health and quality of life of her patients.
Brenda Ivett Monterroza Aguilar
hult international business school
Brenda is a graduate of Somerville High School and is attending Hult International Business School, where she is studying Business Administration. Inspired by her parents’ sacrifices and the educational opportunities they were unable to access in their home country, she is pursuing a college degree to honor their journey and build a successful future. With her passion for mathematics and experience supporting family-owned businesses, she hopes to develop the skills needed to pursue a career in real estate and entrepreneurship. She aspires to open her own businesses and use her education to gain a global perspective on business and innovation.
ben nguyen
XXXX
Ben is a graduate of Excel Academy Charter High School and is pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering. Inspired by his parents’ journey as immigrants and the sacrifices they made to create new opportunities, he is motivated to pursue higher education and build a successful future. He hopes to use his engineering degree to design and improve cities, infrastructure, and communities, especially in underserved areas. Through his work, he aims to give back to others and create a lasting positive impact.
Sinai Phillips Thompson
emmanuel college
Sinai is a graduate of TechBoston Academy and is attending Emmanuel College, where she plans to study Art Therapy. Inspired by her desire to support her family and help others, she is pursuing a college degree to develop the skills needed to encourage and empower those around her. Sinai hopes to become an art therapist and use creativity as a tool to support individuals through their personal journeys. She is passionate about learning, growing her skills, and creating a positive impact through her future career.
Dianne Pojoy
umass boston
Dianne is a graduate of Lowell Catholic High School and is attending the UMass Boston, where she is studying Exercise and Health Science. Inspired by her parents’ journey as immigrants and the sacrifices they made to build a new life, she is pursuing a college degree to honor their hard work and become the first in her family to enter the healthcare field. She hopes to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy and she aims to make a meaningful impact in healthcare and carry her family’s legacy forward.
Karla Michelle Turcios Figueroa
boston university
Karla is a graduate of Lynn Vocational Technical Institute and is attending Boston University at the College of Arts & Sciences to become the first person in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Through her experiences in the Health Technology and Assisting program, where she became a certified nursing assistant, she developed a passion for healthcare and serving others. She hopes to become an OBGYN and support women’s health by helping patients understand their reproductive health and providing compassionate care.
josie zhen
tufts university
Josie is a graduate of the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science and is attending Tufts University, where she is studying Biology. Inspired by her family and her longtime connection with her dentist, she is pursuing a college degree to follow her passion for healthcare and dentistry. Josie hopes to become a dentist and provide care to those who may face language barriers when seeking dental services. Through her career, she aims to support her community and create a more welcoming healthcare experience for all patients.