Eréndira Rueda, Associate Professor of Sociology

Saludos Transitions students! I’m Professor Rueda, one of the faculty members on campus who identifies as part of the Transitions Family. I grew up in Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California.  I’m fiercely proud of having grown up in a Spanish-speaking, low-income Mexican immigrant family and of being the first in my family to go beyond a middle school education. I am sibling-mother to my three younger siblings and have always been the path breaker in my family. I take great pride in the fact that my success has always been the result of collective efforts in my family, that it has reflected the hard work and sacrifices that my parents made as immigrants, and that I am now in the position to serve as the safety net for my family.

Things I love: mini-donkeys, being bi-coastal (CA-NY), when students send me postcards from their worldly travels. I’m an extroverted sociologist who loves to do things in groups, including research.

Tamar Ballard, Class of 2019

 

I’ve moved around Georgia a lot, but right now, I call Morrow, GA my home. As hilarious as it sounds, I was pulled in by photos of Vassar in the fall when I started looking into colleges. Leaves don’t change like that at home! I had to come experience it for myself. The Office of Communications does a great job because it definitely caught my eye. I’m an Urban Studies major – thinkin’ about a correlate in Sociology (fingers crossed!). I’m currently the president of the Vassar Student Association, after being the VSA Chair of Equity and Inclusion last year (and the House Student Advisor for Noyes. How did I do both? That’s a good question lol), and a Student Fellow the year before. Outside of working on my thesis (on black pain and its relationship to hip-hop), I just listen to music and float around to where I’m needed. Ooh, I also really love essential oils (lavender and patchouli are my favorites).

Hello! My name is Juanita Herrera and I am a Vassar alum. I am a proud first-generation, low-income college graduate. During my time as a student, I was an Educational Studies major, a member of MEChA, and a student leader for Transitions. Last year, I wrote a thesis that celebrated first-generation, low-income, Latinx children of immigrants at elite institutions. Now as an alum, I work at Vassar in the Education Department as the VAST Coordinator. As a first-generation, low-income, child of Mexican immigrants from South Gate, California, I never would’ve thought I’d get accepted, graduate, or work at an elite institution like Vassar. But here I am living my best life.

Lisset Magdaleno, Class of 2019

Being a first gen, low-income, child of immigrants from Santa Ana, California, has come with a lot of obstacles and difficult situations, but I am extremely proud of who I am because all of it has shaped the person I’ve become. I wouldn’t be where I am without everything I’ve experienced. I am proud of my story, my parents’ stories, and the lessons that have come with those experiences.

I heard about Vassar through QuestBridge and decided to apply after seeing Vassar’s financial aid policy. At Vassar, I’m a Sociology major and President of the Vassar QuestBridge Scholars Chapter, a Joss Student Fellow, a member of We Got You, a tutor for VELLOP’s Spanish Spelling Bee, and a member of the VSA’s Committee on Equity and Inclusion.

I joined this project because I came to college with no clue about what I was getting myself into and ended up feeling lost and unsure during my first year. Now that I’ve had more experience here, I feel like there is more the school can do to make sure all students feel welcome and supported and I would love for the voices of others to be heard and acted upon.

Fun fact: When I was 9, my mom said not to ride a scooter while wearing boots with heels, but I decided to be defiant and did it anyway and that’s how I chipped my two front teeth. (They’re not chipped anymore, but I listen to my mom now.)

Henry Molina, Class of 2019

Hey All! My name is Henry, I’m from Sacramento, California, and I’m a Cognitive Science major focusing on language and communication. One of my best friends is a Siberian Husky named Noah who is house sitting for me in Sacramento.

I first saw Vassar on a really pretty admissions poster after being frustrated with my college search, after looking into it a bit further I decided to go for it an apply! Now that I’m here I spend a lot of my time working with the Transitions program as a sophomore advisor and creating programming with the library. I also spend a lot of time wandering around the Poughkeepsie Galleria and watching Netflix.

I’m really proud of being a first-gen/low income student because it has constantly led me to build connections with really strong, beautiful, and fun people. I’m proud of these parts of my identity because any time I share a struggle, a hope, or a dream with the people in this community I have always been met with encouragement and understanding.  I joined this project because I want to give back to the first-gen/low income community at Vassar and better understand how the social and institutional forces at Vassar specifically affect this community.

Fun Facts: My mom used to have a pet peacock, I can knit, and I love astrology.

Mari Robles, Class of 2021

Hello y’all! My name is Mari and I’m from Boston but was raised in Miami. I am double majoring in German and International Studies with concentrations in History and Political Science. I am a first generation, low-income student and this identity has really shaped my educational experience. I found empowerment and a home through the Transitions program at Vassar and am very proud of identifying as first gen, low income. In addition to being a member of the Transitions Research Team, I am Strong House president, an Latinx Student Union organizing team member, part of the Daisy Chain, an Education Research Assistant, and I sit on the committee of Equity and Inclusion.

Vanessa Vazquez, Class of 2021

Hi everyone! My name is Vanessa and I’m from Yonkers, NY. I heard about Vassar through my college advisor in high school (she was the best). She forced me to apply and now I’m here! Learning about Transitions and Foundations was one of the reasons why I committed to attending Vassar. I am an Environmental Studies major focusing on chemistry and sociology. I am a member of Latinx Student Union, Strong House Team, African Violets, ADSE-Alliance for Diversity in Science and Engineering, and Vassar Greens.

I joined the Transitions Research Team because it wasn’t until I came to Vassar that I felt “different” for being first-gen and low-income. I find strength in my family and community because of everything they’ve done and continue to do for me. These are the strongest people I know. They make me proud of being a first-gen, low-income, child of immigrants, and I hope if you identify with any of these characteristics, you’re proud too. Places like this weren’t made for people like us, but look at us! I want first-gen, low-income students to be heard and feel as though they belong here. And I want Vassar to make changes to make sure all students are heard, welcomed, and supported.

Fun fact: My all-time favorite animal is a penguin. Any species of penguin. I love makeup but I’m too lazy to do it every day. I’m in a kombucha (really tasty drink) phase right now.

Hello everyone! My name is Kevin Vo and I’m from Springfield, VA. At Vassar, I am double majoring in History and Hispanic Studies with a (possible) Italian correlate. In addition to this project, I am involved in Jewett House Team as a Student Fellow (#penthouse) and VSA’s Board of Elections and Appointments. One of my favorite experiences so far at Vassar was the Foundations pre-orientation program, which was where I met my core group of friends.