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 East L.A. and the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California. I’ve gotten into lists lately, so here is a list of some of the things I’m fiercely proud of:
- Growing up in a Spanish-speaking, telenovela-watching, Mexican immigrant family.
- Pathbreaking: I’m the first in my family to go beyond 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 safety net for my family.
Fun facts: I picked up boxing a few years ago (so cathartic!) and discovered I’m a boxing lefty even though I’m right-handed. I’m a little obsessed with mini-donkeys, Scottish Highland cattle, and red pandas. I’m bi-coastal (CA-NY) in non-pandemic years. I’m an extroverted sociologist who loves to do things in groups, including research!
Hello everyone, I’m Alejandro, a first-generation American and college student. Although I was born in Los Angeles, CA, I attended high school near Dallas, TX. I’m currently majoring in International Studies and I joined the Transitions Research Team because their mission of giving back and amplifying the voices of first-generation/low-income (FGLI) students deeply resonated with me. I aim to use this opportunity to address unmet needs and dismantle hidden barriers for all FGLI students. I’m incredibly excited to dive in and collaborate with some amazing individuals!
Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be a part of the Transitions Research Team for my senior year! I am from the suburbs of Chicago, IL, but I’m currently located in Aurora, CO when I’m not at Vassar. I am a Sociology major, but I also take lots of courses in the Music Department. I like looking at music and its consumption from a sociological perspective!
When I’m not in class, you can often find me singing Disney tunes with my fellow members in Beauty and the Beats, our mostly Disney A Cappella group. I also work as one of the Senior Interns at Vassar’s Office of Admission, and am deeply involved in the Transitions community as a Transitions Student Leader.
I am a low-income student and the youngest child of immigrants from South Korea, and these identities have shaped my experience at college in numerous ways. Having the Transitions community with me at Vassar has been one of my greatest joys and has become one of my greatest sources of support as I have gone through my college years.
Fun Fact: I studied abroad in Seoul, South Korea for two semesters during my junior year! While I was there, I improved my Korean skills, made lots of friends, ate lots of Korean food, traveled, and saw so many of my favorite K-Pop groups in concert!
Hello! My name is Neariah. I was born in the Bronx, but spent a lot of my early life moving around. I’m currently a Senior with a major in Science Technology and Society and a correlate in Biology. I’m also on the pre-med track and plan to pursue a career in surgery. On campus I’m involved in VCSS as a DJ and am currently the active social media head. I also participate in Vice Weekly, BSU, ASU, Transitions, Gi-STEM, and the Prohealth club.
As a low-income, black, queer student I was able to find community through my involvement in both Transitions and BSU. Without communities of friends and supporters, my pursuits in STEM would be impossible. That experience has been a huge contributor to my involvement in the Transitions Research Team. I hope to foster conversations and action which can allow students from underprivileged backgrounds to be successful in their academic pursuits.
Fun Fact: I spent my second summer working in a private plastic surgery clinic. I plan to continue my pursuit of one day being able to offer gender affirming care to low income, bipoc, queer individuals.
Hello! My name is Leslie and I am from San Gabriel, California! I am a senior majoring in Sociology, minoring in Global Nineteenth-Century Studies and Urban Studies. I am a first-generation college student, as well as a second-generation immigrant, which has shaped my perspective and understanding of student life at Vassar. I love my Transitions and FGLI community here at Vassar, and I deeply appreciate all the support I have received from the Transitions community.
Currently, on-campus I work as a research assistant for a Sociology professor and I am the co-President of Vassar Greens, a student organization focused on sustainability efforts on campus. I am also a part of UJIMA, a vocalist collective. Academically, I am interested in urban sociology, and hope to go to graduate school after Vassar. Personally, I love to crochet, write poetry, sit on benches, and I have become interested in keyboard building and modding.
Fun fact: I watch professional League of Legends and went to the LCS studio in Los Angeles twice!
Hi! I’m Daniela, but most people call me Dani. I go by both. I’m from Weston, Florida (Broward County). I’m an International Studies Major with concentrations in History and Sociology. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and moved to the U.S. when I was about seven. My experience in the Transitions Program is limited. Still, as a first-generation college student, I have found comfort an validation in listening to the experiences of people in that community. I am also a QuestBridge scholar. At Vassar, I have been the social media intern for the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Contemplative Practices (RSLCP), as well as been heavily involved in the Strong House Team: I was the First-Year Rep, then a Student Fellow, then the House Student Advisor, and this year I’m the Community Fellow.
Fun Facts: I have two younger siblings: a little brother, and a little sister. I love to write, whether it be journaling or fiction. I love to sing, predominantly songs from musicals but I also love Noah Kahan and other artists in other genres. I am left-handed. Last semester, I studied abroad in Geneva, Switzerland, and visited a few other cities and countries (Vienna was my favorite European city, hands down). Finally, despite being a Floridian, I love cold weather and snow; it’s comforting to me.
Hi! My name is Fer and I am a junior from the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California. I’ve lived in five different cities in the SGV but currently call Rowland Heights home. I’m proud to be the first in my family of low-income, Guatemalan immigrants to attend college. However, I always think of the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” when reflecting on my journey getting to this space. I recognize that my achievement is the product of the support and love my family, friends, and mentors have given me over the years. With their help, I matched as a QuestBridge scholar to attend Vassar.
After moving across the country, I found community and comfort in the Transitions Program. I was inspired to work with the research team to highlight and celebrate the stories of students in Transitions. By placing their narratives at the forefront of our research, I believe that FG/LI students navigating elite institutions can be empowered.
On campus, I’m an Urban Studies major with a correlate in Geography. I am involved with community outreach programs like Exploring College and the Engaged Pluralism Initiative, working with students in the Poughkeepsie area. I also find community within the Latinx Student Union and Gradient. Besides that, I’m either working on new staff moves, or learning how to use new props with the Barefoot Fireflies. (I’m currently learning how to juggle).
Fun fact: I like finding new hobbies that keep me physically active, with the newest ones being hiking and rock climbing.
Hello! I am Nghi, a current Sociology Major with an Education Correlate. I am on track to receive an elementary teacher certification. I was born in Viet Nam, but spent my entire life battling snow storms in Syracuse, NY. When I am not in class I am working with Poughkeepsie area youth in their classrooms, at a Poughkeepsie Public Library, or at the Vassar Preserve.
As a proud FGLI student, I am ever so grateful for the Transitions community here at Vassar which has affirmed my sense of belonging in higher education and also introduced me to the wonderful Transitions Research team. I joined the Transitions Research Team to better contextualize the experiences of FG/LI students within higher education, with great excitement that I will be working alongside other FG/LI identifying students (+ Prof. Rueda!). In my pursuit to become an educator, I hope to foster meaningful connections that will affirm students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds to be ambitious toward their aspirations.
Fun Fact: I pick up hobbies more than I continue them. However! This past year I have been able to routinely practice sewing and tailoring my own clothes. My family has a number of seamstresses and I’ve been able to build a new connection with them through clothes-making.