In light of Brown’s transition to online learning, the U-FLi Center will be sharing narratives from the Class of 2020. We aim to affirm and honor graduating students’ time at Brown. Read about Elana Nelson below:

What does it mean to you to be U-FLi?

E-Gap Funds and trying harder than everyone else.

What communities at Brown have been influential in making it feel like a home?

Ones that were as weird as I was.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

All you have to do is ask.

Favorite memory at Brown?

First Spring Weekend

Who are you away from Brown/outside of the student identity? 

Someone who says “you guys” instead of “y’all”

In light of Brown’s transition to online learning, the U-FLi Center will be sharing narratives from the Class of 2020. We aim to affirm and honor graduating students’ time at Brown. Read about Trevor Pike (he/his) below:

What does it mean to you to be U-FLi?

I think being a U-FLi student, personally feeling more closely related to the low income side of things, is a testament to our achievements despite the barriers placed in our way to success. We have worked our way through an elite institution without the immense privileges and connections that others might have, and that is an achievement in and of itself.

What communities at Brown have been influential in making it feel like a home?

I don’t my time at Brown would be the same had it not been for the welcoming arms of both Technology House and the Brown Anime Society, two communities I have come to love and in part lead over the past four years.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Being out on the East Coast, a literal thousand miles from home, with a completely different group of people seems absolutely terrifying, I know, but given time you’re going to find that group of people you endure the years with and it’s going to be alright, if not outright excellent.

Favorite memory at Brown?

I think one of my favorites memories of Brown is one characterized by immense amusement in retrospect, and absolute horror in the moment, wherein a friend and I had an incredibly series of miscommunications that turned a ten-minute final project for our Roman History Class into an hour and a half feature film. When I found it that it didn’t need to be so massive I was equal parts furious at the amount of time I had invested and amazed at what we had created. The whole experience has become something of a meme to everyone involved, and I’m glad that it happened in the long-term.

Who are you away from Brown/outside of the student identity? 

Honestly I’m a bit of an idealist, and despite my sarcastic quips to the contrary, I’m really out to help people in the long term, whether that be through my involvement in the Boy Scouts of America, volunteering at the local hospital, or marching in the streets of Providence advocating for environmental preservation. Even though year by year it seems less likely, and the financial struggles my family faces can weigh heavily on my mind, I still hope that within my lifetime we’ll have that shiny chrome future with flying cars and bright blue skies.

In light of Brown’s transition to online learning, the U-FLi Center will be sharing narratives from the Class of 2020. We aim to affirm and honor graduating students’ time at Brown. Read about Leslie Benavides below:

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

I wish I could hug my first-year self. I’d tell her she’s a bad bitch. She is more than enough, and like spring, she’ll bloom– with or without Brown.

In light of Brown’s transition to online learning, the U-FLi Center will be sharing narratives from the Class of 2020. We aim to affirm and honor graduating students’ time at Brown. Read about Loretta Eboigbe below:

What does it mean to you to be U-FLi?

It means making homes in places that don’t feel like home. It means being rich in community and love. It means having a vision for ourselves and those that support us for a better future. It means being resourceful and always finding a way despite the challenges that are ahead. We are honestly just too fly.

What communities at Brown have been influential in making it feel like a home?

The Bonner Community introduced me to some really great people that continue to inspire me everyday. Since my first year at Brown, I became close to my minority peer counselors, I became one my sophomore year, and this year I co-coordinated the program with the lovely Akire. I’m thankful for this program for connecting me to people that are so passionate and caring. Shout out to Olivia, Akire, and the 2019-2020 MPCs for the beautiful and restorative space that we’ve shared. Shout out to Brown OJA! African Modern Dance Team for re-connecting me to my love of dancing and my roots. Last, but definitely not least, shout out the Community Healing GISP for being a warm and generative space.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

I have a lot to say to myself. Mainly:

– stop overthinking and overdoing, you are already enough babe

– hold on to your peace no matter the circumstance

-rethink commitment and allow yourself to fail/make mistakes/say no

– express the type of care you need and vocalize how you can sustainably show up for others

– stand up for what you deserve and embrace your complexity

Favorite memory at Brown?

too many memories and they all involve dancing and being free with people I love.

Who are you away from Brown/outside of the student identity? 

I’m a dancer, a scientist, an artist, and an adventure seeker.

In light of Brown’s transition to online learning, the U-FLi Center will be sharing narratives from the Class of 2020. We aim to affirm and honor graduating students’ time at Brown. Read about Jennifer Alvarez (she/hers) below:

What does it mean to you to be U-FLi?

The fact that I am first-generation and low-income makes it graduating from Brown that much more meaningful.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Be kind to yourself. Are you really doing that for yourself or to prove others wrong?

In light of Brown’s transition to online learning, the U-FLi Center will be sharing narratives from the Class of 2020. We aim to affirm and honor graduating students’ time at Brown. Read about Heidy Rivera (she/hers) below:

What communities at Brown have been influential in making it feel like a home?

The Brown University Band gave me a sense of home at Brown and gave me a community of talented, kind and fun-loving friends. With this group, I was able to continue playing music while being afforded the opportunity to travel, attend athletic events, and make dear friends.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Work on being YOUR best self! Don’t compare yourself or your journey to those of your friends or peers. Seek the resources and support you need to make the most of your time at Brown.

In light of Brown’s transition to online learning, the U-FLi Center will be sharing narratives from the Class of 2020. We aim to affirm and honor graduating students’ time at Brown. Read about Rocio Nunez Pepen below:

What does it mean to you to be U-FLi?

Proud, accomplished, grateful.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. Feel proud that although you didn’t have the same resources as other peers, you made it to the same place.

Favorite memory at Brown?

Finding a friend that could finally understand my situation.

Who are you away from Brown/outside of the student identity? 

I am a caregiver, a proud daughter of two hardworking sanitation workers and a wife to my high school sweetheart.

In light of Brown’s transition to online learning, the U-FLi Center will be sharing narratives from the Class of 2020. We aim to affirm and honor graduating students’ time at Brown. Read about Joel Fudge (he/his) below:

What communities at Brown have been influential in making it feel like a home?

Brown University Student Veterans, RUE, BOLT.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Enjoy hanging out with your friends while you can.

Favorite memory at Brown?

Anything and everything BOLT related.

Who are you away from Brown/outside of the student identity? 

Outdoor enthusiast!

In light of Brown’s transition to online learning, the U-FLi Center will be sharing narratives from the Class of 2020. We aim to affirm and honor graduating students’ time at Brown. Read about Yvonne Wingard (she/hers) below:

What does it mean to you to be U-FLi?

It means recognizing the challenges and obstacles I faced, but also taking pride in the resiliency and strength of myself and my family in making the most of our circumstances and blessing. Being U-FLi is paving the way for future generations to attain the same levels of success and access as their more privileged peers.

What communities at Brown have been influential in making it feel like a home?

Black Student Union, First-Gens @ Brown, Quest Scholars @ Brown, BUDS

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Focus on doing the things that matter to your personal interest and not what satisfies others. Chase after what drives your own passions, not what you think others expect of you.

Favorite memory at Brown?

My favorite memory at Brown is going downtown to the river and sitting on the edge, just looking out at the water in peaceful bliss. Along with that memory is also attending my first WaterFire and looking out at the water while eating a delicious doughboy!

Who are you away from Brown/outside of the student identity? 

Outside of Brown, I am a young adult who enjoys traveling and wandering through the city. When I’m not on campus, I am just another person, another resident living and exploring Providence.

In light of Brown’s transition to online learning, the U-FLi Center will be sharing narratives from the Class of 2020. We aim to affirm and honor graduating students’ time at Brown. Read about Giselle Flores Alvarado (she/hers) below:

What does it mean to you to be U-FLi?

For me being U-FLi means breaking boundaries and creating new space for me and other students like me.

What communities at Brown have been influential in making it feel like a home?

The ufli and queer alliance have helped me so much. There has been so much support, love, and kindness within these spaces and it is because of this that I was able to grow and thrive.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

I would tell myself to take it slow, to have patience, and most of all to reach out for help.

Favorite memory at Brown?

My favorite memory was the queer prom at the end of my first year. It was a beautiful experience to be out and celebrating my sexuality and friends in such a beautiful way.

Who are you away from Brown/outside of the student identity? 

I am a lesbian, Latinx poet.