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.

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 Melissa Antonia Perez (she/hers) below:

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

“Yo vengo de todas partes, Y hacia todas partes voy: Arte soy entre las artes, En los montes, monte soy.” – José Martí To me, being U-FLi is about achieving, striving, and preserving for something bigger than myself. It means bringing so much to every table I am a part of, not only my voice, but also that of my family, their histories, and our stories. Quiere decir que vengo de todas partes because I carry a multiplicity of origin stories. I’m not just a student from Miami, I am from a family of Cuban immigrants, the first in my family to attend university. Hacia todas partes voy, bringing my origins to new horizons. Being U-FLi is my pride, my honor, my privilege.

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

It took a really long time for Brown to feel like home, and it took good friends and professors to get there.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

I would tell my first-year self to seek out resources and worry less about finding friends– the real ones will come eventually!

Favorite memory at Brown?

One of my favorite memories at Brown was the first snowfall of my first year. I’d never seen snow before, and I remember all the students of Pembroke campus running out of the dorms. Snowball fights erupted everywhere, holiday music was blaring from invisible speakers, people were slipping on the snow and laughing all over the place. It’s a memory that always reminds me of that magical, floaty, first-year feeling.

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

Alongside the student identity, I am a daughter, niece, grand-daughter, sister, cousin, girlfriend… All of these aspects of my life are just as important as my student identity. Realizing that I would never –could never– be just a student was one of the major lessons I learned whilst at Brown. I try to do justice to all of these roles, to value and appreciate my loved ones as they deserve, and to remember that the most important lessons in life are loving and being loved.

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 Max Kozlov (he/his) below:

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

To me, it means simultaneously to fly solo on making important decisions all through college all the while having a spotlight of familial pressure shining down on you.

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

Brown Outing Club

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 Gabi Gonzalez (they/he) below:

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

Being in community with other queer/trans friends has been so grounding, exciting, and fun! I love them so much, I’m so thankful to celebrate with them and for their support during my low points while at Brown. I’ve been able to grow so much with my chosen family: my friends through the Queer Alliance, UFLiCenter, and BCSC I love y’all aaaaa!

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Look sis, things are gonna be tough. You can’t hide yourself from your family forever. It’s also gonna be so difficult to rebuild your self-esteem – you’re wonderful, beautiful, thoughtful, sometimes that ho, and it’s gonna be okay because you will get there! I know it’s so easy to say this right now but you have lots of people who care for you and want to see you succeed! Cherish those small victories and know that you will keep growing, learning, and blossoming into a beautiful you.

Favorite memory at Brown?

As a Community Care Co-Coordinator for TWTP 2018 with Helya and Donia, I got to see new queer/trans students of color become acquainted with Brown and form networks with each other – it was so cute and they gave me so much hope for the future!

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 Alejandra Gonzalez (they/them) below:

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

Being U-Fli means to me the strength, power, and wisdom of being able to achieve your own goals and pave your own path. I always remind myself that if my parents made the difficult decision to migrate to the U.S., I have inherited their strength and I am able to do anything and able to persevere despite the unfamiliar/uncertain terrain. We come from a long line of resilient people.

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

I have really found home in the LGBTQ+ Center and especially Zeta Delta Xi. I absolutely love Zete and my fellow fraternity brothers as they have welcomed me with open arms since day one and have been great supporters in my goals and endeavors. Furthermore, they have played an important role in my journey of self-love and body positivity.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

I have really found home in the LGBTQ+ Center and especially Zeta Delta Xi. I absolutely love Zete and my fellow fraternity brothers as they have welcomed me with open arms since day one and have been great supporters in my goals and endeavors. Furthermore, they have played an important role in my journey of self-love and body positivity.

Favorite memory at Brown?

I wish I could remind my first-year self that I should not be as much as a worrier and that I have incredible abilities that I am still uncovering. I also would remind them that they absolutely belong here and are worthy of their accomplishments (career/personal/spiritual) and more. Despite my dyslexia/ADHD and trauma from school-to-prison pipeline, I was still able to push myself forward, remain strong, and graduate from this institution, which many people even my high school educators believed I would not be able to do. My new found confidence and security in myself is actually among my most important accomplishments.

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

When I am asked about my identity outside of Brown, I always say I am a proud tía of two beautiful, caring, intelligent children, my Valery and Jade. I am that tía with the great stories or that is always doing arts & crafts. I guess overall, I am a storyteller and artist. I am always sewing dresses or knitting/crocheting clothing. My favorite medium of art is filmmaking and in 2018 I directed/wrote my first LGBTQ+ short film “Venus Retrograde” , which premiered at an event with the Outfest Film festival. I love film because I love storytelling and also if used properly it could be a very accessible tool for educational purposes.

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 Gabriela Ortiz (she/hers) below:

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Try to reach out for support systems for U-FLI students more.

Favorite memory at Brown?

Meeting all my friends and loved ones. Springtime when the flowers bloom. My first snow.

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 Khaila J. Mickens (she/they) below:

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

Coming into a place that wasn’t built for you or your success, combating culture shock, shame, and worries from home to try and do the best you can for you and your family.

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

The BCSC, theater, any space with QPOC.

Favorite memory at Brown?

TWTP as a freshman.

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

An older sister, a daughter, a mother (to my dog), a teacher, and an explorer.

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 Heather F. Argueta (she/hers) below:

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

UFli has definitely been one of the communities that has made Brown feel like home. I have always looked forward to their events including the “Welcome Back” celebration and the fun study break sessions. I have also made several friends at UFli, who have been part of my support system. We all understand each other’s struggles and cheer each other on!

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Always prioritize self care. Taking a nap, watching a funny TV show, or exercising are activities that refuel you to thrive in a rigorous academic environment like Brown. Self-care is key to feeling and doing well at Brown.

Favorite memory at Brown?

My favorite memory at Brown is doing the Louie’s challenge with my friends last semester. For those who don’t know what the Louie’s challenge is, you pull an all-nighter (studying or fooling around with your friends) and you all go to Louie’s Family Restaurant on Brooke St at 5am. They open at 4:45am and start serving at 5am. There is nothing better than eating delicious diner food with your friends while being sleep deprived!

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 Jocelyn Cervantes (she/hers) below:

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

Being U-FLi to me means creating my own path to success. It means questioning why anyone has ever doubted me. Many times its proving statistics wrong. However, the most important part of being U-FLi to me is bringing joy and pride back to the people who built me. My family and community have instilled values in me that have allowed me to break through systemic obstacles and truly succeed in places that were not made for me. I do it for them so being able to share what I’ve learned along with my experiences is the most important part of being U-FLi for me.

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

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers is a space where I identified with so many people and felt a sense of home. We gathered over traditional Latinx food and discussed resumes, elevator pitches, internships, and terrible professors. Nerdy, but honestly a space that needs to grow since the engineering department is not very diverse.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

I’d tell myself that sophomore year engineering classes were going to kick my butt; however, during long nights of studying for those horrifying classes I would build the most amazing group of friends that I now call my family. I would tell myself that the next couple of years were going to be filled with the best life experiences. I’d say that I could keep hating Brown because even as a senior I still hate it, but it served its purpose in my life and for that I’m grateful.

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

Away from Brown I spend most of my time exploring and meeting new people. When I’m not a student I skate, surf, dance, and eat every type of food there is to try in LA. Some of my favorite things to do while I’m home in LA is finding new “hidden” hikes or viewpoints to take my friends to over some drinks.