Category: Scholar Stories

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Scholar Stories: Recent Manhattanville Graduate- Emely!

My academic career has been one that I will never forget, filled with challenges and growth. Along the way, I built lasting friendships that supported me through my college and personal life. Some of my most impactful experience and work came from my coursework in political science, biology, psychology, and sociology. I began to see the direction I wanted to take in my career and the values I wanted to carry with me.

Although my school lacked resources and support, I learned how to navigate those gaps by advocating for myself and finding the support I needed. Whether it was deciding which classes would best serve my goals or learning how to ask for aid; I knew I was never alone, and Rewarding Potential mentors were always there to support and help advocate for my needs. Additionally, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything if it hadn’t been for my mom and dad always lifting my spirit when I was down or felt like the obstacle was far too big for me. Even though they had no idea what was going on, they always did their best to support me and encourage me to keep pushing and for that I will forever be grateful. The importance of resilience and self-determination are lessons that have guided me well thus far.

I proudly serve as a Child Advocate with the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. I have the privilege of supporting and advocating for immigrant children who feel limited in their voices or unsure how to be heard, as well as the language barrier. Helping the children find confidence within themselves has been one of the most rewarding parts.

At the same time, during my final semester in college, I discovered my passion for forensic psychology. It has given me a new perspective in understanding justice and human behavior, and it inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in forensic psychology in the near future. My college experience, my work with children, and my growing passion for forensic psychology have all shown me that my path is not only about building a career, but about creating meaningful change in the lives of others. I look forward to continuing that work with the same perseverance and dedication that has carried me this far.

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Scholar Stories: Maria’s Story

My name is María Chinchilla. I came to the United States six years ago. I’m from Guatemala.
Education has always been very important to me, as it’s the tool I need to help create a better world through knowledge. I had to start high school again when I came to the US. I graduated at the age of 21 years old.
Obtaining higher education after high school seemed impossible because I had to help my family financially. I feel so grateful to God and the people supporting me with the Rewarding Potential Scholarship. This financial aid helps me focus on my studies, allowing me to further my education and do extracurricular activities.
Words are not enough to express my gratitude. I hope to God that I can give back to the community one day.
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Scholar Stories: Milton’s Journey

I moved to the United States in 2013 from Guatemala. I did not speak English when I moved here. My goal was to learn English and just make it through High School. College was never in my plans; it was only a dream, but I need to say that RPS believed in me and gave me the confidence that I couldn’t find in myself.

One of my biggest obstacles was money. College was too expensive to cover all by myself, but thanks to RPS, which was there for me not only for moral support but also for financial support, my student loans decreased significantly.

Another challenge I faced during college was that since I am a first-generation college student, my family didn’t know or couldn’t guide me or advise me about the college experience. But having a mentor that is there for you, someone that you can trust, has helped me a lot to overcome a lot of the challenges I faced in college. I always knew who to call when I had a question or when I didn’t know what to do on certain occasions. By the time I was done with college, my mentor had become more than a mentor; he had become a friend, someone that I could actually trust.

Since I was a kid, I have wanted to build things. Now that I am a young project engineer, my dream has come true. My goal is to keep growing within the company I currently work for.

After completing college, the real world hits you, and I need to say that my construction management career so far has been full of excitement and experience. Since I finished college, I have completed five construction projects.

Without RPS, this dream would never have come true. They offered me the support and guidance that my family couldn’t give for being the first generation attending college.

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Scholar Stories: My College Journey as a First-Generation Guatemalan-American

I had the life changing opportunity to move to NYS in 2016. I boarded a plane for the first time in my life. All I brought with me was a carry-on bag full of dreams. I was scared and did not know what to expect. I knew I was sacrificing the comfort of all I had ever known while leaving behind my family.

I began my scholar journey at Fox Lane High School. I was welcomed and helped by the amazing ESOL team and guidance counselor who became my mentors and supported me in preparing for college. My path to college was challenging but rewarding. As an independent student, I worked full-time to pay for expenses and be involved in my school’s extracurriculars. I was determined to continue my education regardless of the obstacles, such as not having financial and onboarding support in the process.

I remember having to complete FAFSA, visit campuses, and figure out how to pay for tuition myself. Despite the many obstacles and challenges faced, I managed to graduate as part of the National Honor Society and with a seal of biliteracy from the state of NY. For college, I had the opportunity to attend SUNY Farmingdale State College for my A.A. and Pace University for my B.S. graduating summa cum laude.

During my senior year of college I worked at Westchester Medical Center in the patient experience department. Also, I developed my capstone project to advocate in many aspects of society’s social determinants of health focused on the mental and behavioral health aspect.

The Rewarding Potential scholarship made a significant impact on my life. The scholarship not only allowed me to be able to afford my school’s tuition, but it also provided me with two admirable mentors—Nancy and Rod. Even after I graduated from college, they continue to have a tremendous impact on my career endeavors as they provide me with educational advice and moral support.

Currently, I work as a patient access representative with the department of revenue cycle and ambulatory surgical services. My main role is to assist patients in affording their inpatient and outpatient services. I am proud of my work, as I have helped hundreds of uninsured and underinsured people obtain Medicaid and financial assistance. Moreover, after graduation I have been preparing to continue my registered nurse journey.

The Rewarding Potential scholarship opened the door for my professional development and helped me look beyond the horizon and be an agent of change within my community and institution. As I continue to work on my goals, I hope one day my story can motivate the youth to accomplish their aspirations.

-Ricardo

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