Public health with a data science focus Growing up, education was one of my main concerns. As a first-generation low-income student, I was more focused on basic needs like money, housing, and food. I faced countless obstacles, including growing up in poverty, experiencing homelessness, and constantly being in survival mode. Despite these challenges, I always found solace in books and…

How did you decide to become a teacher? In one of my teaching classes, Teachers for Tomorrow, we had to go spend 40 hours in a classroom. It definitely made me realize that that’s what I wanted to do. How does it feel to be finished with high school? I was so excited for graduation, but I was so sad because I…

How did you decide to study nursing? I decided to study nursing when I took my first trip to Guatemala in 2018. I noticed the lack of healthcare in Guatemala’s communities. I was shocked to see an elderly blind man begging for money, and I thought to myself, “How could this elderly man be on the streets?” It quickly struck…

How does it feel to be finished with high school and about to go to college? Graduating from high school was a surreal experience for me, especially since I was the first in my family to accomplish this achievement. While I’ll miss my parents and sisters, I am excited to start college as summer comes to an end. Are there…

As she nears her first year of college, SLI scholar Grecia ’23 talks about how she’s grown as a person over the last four years. In college she will study political science on a pre-law track. Congrats on graduating from high school! How are you feeling about going to college? When I first started SLI I was like I know…

An interview with SLI scholar Javier ’23, whose college plans came together this spring. What are you planning to study at Harvard University? I plan to concentrate in neuroscience, most likely on the premed track. I’m pretty sure I want to become a doctor – maybe a cardiologist – but I’m keeping an open mind about different specialties.   Is anyone…

What are some things you enjoy about school? My favorite subject is history, learning why everything is the way it is now, and how history repeats itself. We see what happened back then happening now. I also like chemistry. Even though I can sometimes struggle a little bit, it’s interesting. I’m in three clubs – Interact, Latinos Unidos, and SLI…

An interview with SLI scholar and volunteer EMT Arleth ’23, whose major is public health with a Spanish minor. What are your college and career goals? [In 2024] I discovered my passion for research and want a career in the CDC. I’ve always liked helping people. As I’m the oldest daughter in my family, it’s kind of second nature. Since…

I really want to become a dentist. Achieving this might take a very long time, but if I put in the effort I will be able to become a dentist one day.  A few years ago my mom suffered from breast cancer. This situation left my family in a lot of debt to the hospital, and my brother stopped going…

Pre-physical therapy I’ve been part of the SLI program since I was a freshman in high school. In fall 2019, I started my education at my university as a freshman, majoring in exercise science with a concentration in biology. I’m now in my senior year, and during my journey as a first-generation student, I’ve been able to learn and grow…