{"id":997,"date":"2026-09-07T18:43:42","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T22:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/?page_id=997"},"modified":"2026-09-18T19:35:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T23:35:05","slug":"research-team-2026-2027","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/research-team-2026-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Team: 2026\/2027"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9914-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-998\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7500104633156155;width:310px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9914-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9914-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9914-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9914-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9914-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vassar.edu\/faculty\/errueda\">Er\u00e9ndira Rueda<\/a>&nbsp;(she\/ella)<br \/>Professor of Sociology &amp; Latin American and Latinx Studies<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saludos FLI students!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m 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\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Things I\u2019m proud of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Being a pathbreaker: I\u2019m the first in my family to complete more than a middle school education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Being a sibling-mother to three younger Rueda super siblings, all of whom are now also university educated. (S\u00ed se pudo!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Now being able to serve as the financial and administrative safety net for my family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Fun facts: I\u2019m an avid distance swimmer and I\u2019m a little obsessed with mini-donkeys, Scottish Highland cattle, and Valais Blacknose sheep. I\u2019m bi-coastal (CA-NY) in non-pandemic years. I\u2019m an extroverted sociologist who loves to do things in groups, including research!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Cousins_Fa26-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1005\" style=\"width:420px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Cousins_Fa26-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Cousins_Fa26-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Cousins_Fa26-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Cousins_Fa26-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Cousins_Fa26.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Anika Cousins (she\/her)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Class of 2027<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hi! I am Anika, a senior Education Major with a Mathematics Correlate. I was born in Jamaica, but have lived in Upstate NY for most of my life. Outside of classes, I work with high school students from the local community through Vassar\u2019s Education Collaboration program, Exploring College. There, I help students navigate high school and prepare for the transition to their post high school paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I joined the FLI Research Team because the FLI program has provided me with invaluable support during my time at Vassar. Through the research team, I want to better understand how other FLI students are analyzing their experiences and how the program can continue to support students as they work toward their goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fun Fact: I really enjoy listening to music; my longest playlist is over two days long!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Gonzalez_Fa26-769x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1008\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7512156950422;width:321px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Gonzalez_Fa26-769x1024.png 769w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Gonzalez_Fa26-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Gonzalez_Fa26-768x1022.png 768w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Gonzalez_Fa26.png 1087w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Clarisse Gonzalez (she\/her)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Class of 2028<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am a current sophomore and a&nbsp;declared political science major with a sociology correlate. I\u2019m originally from Ecuador;&nbsp;however, I\u2019ve been living in Queens, NYC, for the past 8 years. I\u2019m on the pre-law track&nbsp;and intend to attend&nbsp;law school and pursue&nbsp;family law.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Growing up as a first-generation immigrant, I\u2019m familiar with the systemic disparities embedded within the pursuit&nbsp;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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Vassar, you can find me organizing meetings for the Latine Student Union (LSU), planning panels for&nbsp;Vassar Law Club, brainstorming meeting ideas for the club Mosaic (affinity club for women of color), and&nbsp;volunteering&nbsp;for organizations about immigration around Poughkeepsie, and more! In my free time, I enjoy trying foods from different cultures (currently love Indian food), doing my friends&#8217; makeup, and watching horror movies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fun fact: I enjoy dancing, and I\u2019m involved in the hip-hop dance club Hype at Vassar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"758\" height=\"925\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Lin_fa26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1017\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.8194690634579692;width:318px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Lin_fa26.jpg 758w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Lin_fa26-246x300.jpg 246w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 758px) 100vw, 758px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Kathy Lin (she\/her)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Class of 2028<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am a junior Biochemistry major from Long Island, NY, and I used to live in Flushing. Outside of the research team, I work as a lab assistant for the Chemistry Department and serve as the Secretary of Vassar Hunger Action. I am also the HR Manager for Conversations Unbound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I joined the FLI Research Team because I wanted to learn more about the experiences of FLI students and the various ways students find support and community. I am excited to continue being part of the team and contributing to work that brings attention to these perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fun Fact: I am currently rewatching <em>Criminal Minds<\/em> for the third time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9895-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1019\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7500056017387797;width:345px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9895-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9895-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9895-1151x1536.jpg 1151w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_9895.jpg 1470w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Alexa Mejia De Jesus (she\/her)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Class of 2027<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am a senior Biology major at Vassar College and plan to attend a Physician Assistant program after graduation. My family immigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic and worked hard to build the path to the opportunities I have today, instilling in me the importance of education along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I joined the FLI research team to learn more about the experiences of students from backgrounds similar to mine and&nbsp;help confront the systems that shape their experiences. As a first-generation college student, I understand some of the challenges that many FLI students may experience on campus, and I want to help ensure that their stories are represented in research. I hope to carry these perspectives with me into a future career in healthcare.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outside of these interests, I enjoy running, reading, and journaling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fun fact: I studied public health in Argentina this past spring!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG-20260826-WA0012-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1012\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.750008693535487;width:335px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG-20260826-WA0012-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG-20260826-WA0012-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG-20260826-WA0012-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG-20260826-WA0012.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Mayte Segura (she\/her)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Class of 2028<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m a current Junior double majoring in Sociology and American and Native American Studies! I\u2019m Dominican and Costa Rican, and come from Providence, Rhode Island.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m interested in examining the&nbsp;creation and maintenance of identity within schools,&nbsp;particularly K-12. 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.&nbsp;I joined the FLI&nbsp;Research Team because I want to help ensure that FLI voices are heard and our stories are remembered.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On campus, I work at the ALANA&nbsp;Center as an IMAGES Co-Editor and Program Assistant. Aside from my shifts at the center, if I\u2019m not in class or my dorm, you can probably find me at&nbsp;a Mosaic, LSU, or ALANA event, or&nbsp;a talk happening on campus!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fun fact: I\u2019m always down for a craft!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"637\" height=\"860\" src=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Sostre_Fa26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1014\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7407102136135724;width:307px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Sostre_Fa26.jpg 637w, https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/files\/2026\/09\/IMG_Sostre_Fa26-222x300.jpg 222w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Kaitlyn Sostre (she\/her)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Class of 2028<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am a senior majoring in Sociology and minoring in Economics. I was born and raised in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico and moved with my family to Florida in 2014. (Go Gators!) Post grad I will be working at JPMorgan under the corporate analyst development program, and my dream is to eventually become an institutional&nbsp;investor for non-profit organizations that focus on expanding&nbsp;access&nbsp;to higher education for marginalized communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a FLI student myself, I\u2019ve really been able to find my community here at Vassar. I largely credit my success during my undergrad due to the mentorship and support I\u2019ve received through organizations like FLI. My background and appreciation for the FLI program at Vassar are a big part of why I wanted to join the research team. I\u2019m really looking forward to diving deeper into this year\u2019s research and learning more about FLI students and the program&#8217;s impact here at Vassar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some fun facts about me: I love to travel (Machu Picchu is pictured behind me), I love music and collecting vinyl&nbsp;as a hobby, and I love to roller skate&nbsp;when I&#8217;m back&nbsp;home in Florida.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Er\u00e9ndira Rueda&nbsp;(she\/ella)Professor of Sociology &amp; Latin American and Latinx Studies Saludos FLI students! I\u2019m 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\u2019m a Californian through and through. I grew up in East L.A. and the San [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1947,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-997","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1947"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=997"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/997\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1020,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/997\/revisions\/1020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/FLIresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}