Eréndira Rueda (she/ella)
Professor of Sociology & Latin American and Latinx Studies
Saludos FLI students!
I’m Professor Rueda, one of the faculty members on campus who identifies as part of the FLI Family. Although I live in NY most of the year, I’m a Californian through and through. I grew up in East L.A. and the San Gabriel Valley in a Spanish-speaking, telenovela-loving, Mexican immigrant family.
Things I’m proud of:
- Being a pathbreaker: I’m the first in my family to complete more than a middle school education.
- Being a sibling-mother to three younger Rueda super siblings, all of whom are now also university educated. (Sí se pudo!)
- The hard work and sacrifices that my parents made as immigrants and the collective efforts in my family to get me where I am today.
- Now being able to serve as the financial and administrative safety net for my family.
Fun facts: I’m an avid distance swimmer and I’m a little obsessed with mini-donkeys, Scottish Highland cattle, and Valais Blacknose sheep. I’m bi-coastal (CA-NY) in non-pandemic years. I’m an extroverted sociologist who loves to do things in groups, including research!
Alessandra Caraballo-Juarez (she/her)
Class of 2028
I am a sociology and psychology double major. I come from a loving Mexican immigrant family in Denver, Colorado, where we enjoy spending time outdoors, watching movies, and cooking together.
Outside of FLI research, I am a new member of the Vassar Haiti project, and I work as the sociology department assistant. In my free time, I enjoy crafting, listening to music, and spending time with friends. I am also a collector of anything Cinnamaroll or bunny themed (literally anything), and my favorite movie is Alice in Wonderland (although any Ghibli movie comes in a close second).
I am the eldest of three and proud to be the first in my family to attend college. As a first-generation college student, I faced many challenges transitioning from a predominantly Hispanic community to a predominantly white institution. These challenges are what motivated me to join the FLI Research Team, where I hope to contribute to research and writing that help elevate the voices of FGLI students and inform others about our experiences navigating Vassar.
Fun fact: I dance folklorico and I love cooking/baking.
Clarisse Gonzalez (she/her)
Class of 2028
I am a current sophomore and declared political science major with a sociology and philosophy correlate. I’m originally from Ecuador; however, I’ve been living in Queens, NYC, for the past 8 years. I’m on the pre-law track and intend to attend law school and pursue family law or become an immigration attorney.
Growing up as a first-generation immigrant, I’m familiar with the systematic disparities embedded within the pursuit of higher education. However, due to these very same reasons, I view first-gen students as resilient, ambitious, and adaptable. Through the FLI Research Team, I aim to encapsulate not solely the barriers that FLI students undergo but also highlight their success stories within education.
At Vassar, you can find me organizing meetings for the Latine Student Union (LSU), treasuring for Vassar Law Club, working as a Student Ambassador for Signature Programs at the Vassar Institute, volunteering for organizations pertaining to immigration around Poughkeepsie, and more! In my free time, I enjoy trying new foods, doing makeup, and watching many scary movies.
Fun fact: I enjoy dancing (Latine music preferred) and I’m involved in the hip-hop dance club Hype at Vassar.
Cody Hoang (he/him)
Class of 2028
I’m a sociology and educational studies double-major from Burnsville, Minnesota, which is a suburb 20 minutes south of Minneapolis. Growing up in a Vietnamese immigrant household, my family has always put an emphasis on education, and I am happy to say that I am a first-generation college student.
I joined the FLI Research Team because of its mission to make sense of FGLI students’ experience through various nuances and viewpoints. I hope to discover these different perspectives and put forth something impactful in the upcoming projects the team does!
Outside of the research team, I am on the Lathrop House Team, a writer of Portrait, and a member of the Vassar Asian American Studies Working Group (VASAM). Outside of my academics, I enjoy listening to music, reading, and spending time around folks.
Fun fact: I have five tattoos that are music related and one of my favorite musicians of all time (Yerin Baek) designed three of them!
Kathy Lin
Class of 2028
I am a sophomore biochemistry major from Long Island, NY, and I previously lived in Flushing. As a first-generation, low-income student and a child of immigrants, my background has greatly shaped my perspective and understanding of the world.
I decided to join the FLI Research Team because the work really resonates with my experiences as a FGLI student. I hope to help bring attention to FLI voices at Vassar and ensure that their stories are seen and respected. Being part of this team feels like a meaningful way to give back to the community that has supported me.
Outside of the research team, I am the Social Media Chair for Vassar Hunger Action and a Program Coordinator for Conversations Unbound. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, and watching movies and TV shows.
Fun Fact: When I was younger, I took ballroom dancing lessons!
Joselyne Segura (she/her)
Class of 2028
I’m a current sophomore majoring in sociology and studying math (don’t ask me why) in hopes of entering the legal field later on. I’m from Dallas, Texas and the daughter of Mexican immigrants—I recently discovered and fell in love with the label “Texican.” Growing up in Dallas, I was always surrounded by a prominent Latino community, and so my transition to Vassar was definitely jarring at first. The FLI Program introduced me to some of my closest friends today, and since then I’ve realized that, despite the culture shocks, I am happy to be in an environment filled with diverse perspectives and communities.
As a part of the research team, I’m looking forward to better understanding how people can work together to build solidarity against common systems of oppression, as well as emphasizing the importance of community. On campus, you’ll see me participating as co-secretary of Vassar’s Latine Student Union and working as a research assistant within the sociology department! Academically, I enjoy learning about issues concerning immigration, the criminal legal system, and the carceral state.
I’m an avid music listener, but my music taste is all over the place. I love collecting vinyl and smiskis, cooking, baking, and riding motorcycles in Mexico!
Mayte Segura (she/her)
Class of 2028
I’m a current Sophomore majoring in sociology (with a double major in American Studies once I submit my paperwork)! I’m Dominican and Costa Rican, and I come from Providence, Rhode Island.
I’m interested in examining disparities in educational and cocurricular spaces and their impacts on diverse groups. In the future, I hope to find a way to use research to supplement the policy drafting process, ensuring that our laws reflect lived experience.
I joined the FLI team because I am passionate about highlighting untold stories. I felt like this would be a wonderful opportunity not just to acknowledge the challenges FLI students face, but also their resilience and strength.
On campus, I work at the ALANA Center as a member of our Legacy & Documentation team. Aside from my shifts at the center, if I’m not in class or my dorm, you can probably find me at an LSU or ALANA event, or a talk happening on campus!
Fun fact: I’m almost always down for a fun craft. I definitely have a habit of picking up creative hobbies!
Cordelia Thomas (she/her)
Class of 2028
I am currently a sophomore with a psychology major and prospective studio art correlate. I am a first-generation and low-income (FGLI) college student and the daughter of an immigrant parent. I was born and raised in Jamestown, Rhode Island, and lived there for my entire life prior to attending Vassar.
Coming from a small island, I have made it my goal to foster a sense of community and appreciation with my work. In order to promote this, I feel that it is important to have a deep understanding of the community as a whole, as well as the individuals who make up the community. Being a part of the FLI Research Team allows me to better comprehend and communicate the realities of FGLI students within higher education. My involvement on the team will help contribute toward support for FGLI students and stimulate important dialogue surrounding their experiences and future at Vassar.
On campus I am also involved in the House Team for Davison as the first and second floor Community Fellow and I serve as the Social Media Chair for my a cappella group, the Vastards. My hobbies include drawing/painting, jewelry-making, listening to music, and watching movies!
Fun fact: I went to 6 concerts in 2025 (My favorites of which were Lorde and Roy Blair)!
Aryon Turner (he/him)
Class of 2028
I am a Chinese and biochemistry double major. I currently live in Houston, TX, although I have also lived in Georgia (where I was born), and Maryland!
I am very excited to join the FLI Research Team this semester. As a low-income student, belonging was an important factor that I considered while applying to colleges, so I want to help share the experiences of FLI students that can then help others like me as they navigate college applications and college life.
During my free time, I enjoy watching movies and T.V. shows, listening to music, or taking a walk outside when the weather is good.
Fun fact: I studied Mandarin in China last summer, where I got the opportunity to climb the Great Wall and two mountains!