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 Naomy Pedroza (she/her) below:

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

Being U-FLi means disrupting the system and paving the path for future generations

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

I really lucked out with my freshman unit. We’ve lived together all 4 years and they have made me feel so held! Similarly, my family at the Call Center has been so supportive and filled my life with so much love.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Stop seeking validation through academics and do more of what makes you happy and what helps other people.

Favorite memory at Brown?

For my 22nd birthday, I rented a projector from the CIT and invited all of my friends over for makeshift-karaoke. We sang and danced for hours and my heart was so full. Also, the day I played hooky with some pals and drove up to NH to see the Strokes play at a Bernie rally.

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 Hemant Kadiamada (he/his) below:

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

To me, being U-FLi means being seen…being seen not only for the adversities that we face but also for our successes and resilience in spite of those barriers coming into higher education. I find so much inspiration, strength, and compassion in the U-FLi community at Brown. I love how we inspire each other. I love how I also inspire myself when I remember how far I have come—how far we have come.

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

I want to give a huge shoutout to the community that working at the Nelson Fitness Center brought into my life. I began working here my freshman year out of financial need. 4 years later, I can honestly say that working at the Nelson turned into so much more than just a way to make money. I believe that what helped me make this shift is when I started taking time to have honest conversations with other students working there, the personal trainers, my bosses (shoutout to Meaghan Pepe—the OG Queen!), the people who do facilities management, as well as friends & strangers who come to engage in something wonderful for themselves and their health. In all honesty, I felt valued in this community—not only for the jobs I did—but also for the relationships I was creating and the care I was receiving from the people around me. It makes me really happy to know that I get to continue being a part of this community when I continue my journey at Brown for medical school.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

I would definitely tell myself that I do not have to have to solve everything on my own. If something is difficult—whether that be a class, navigating the university space as a first-generation student, feeling lonely, or figuring out my academic path at Brown—I deserve to ask for help, to talk to people who inspire me, & to speak honestly about my passions and my interests. My first year, I was very much focused on being independent—pursuing an amazing educational opportunity at Brown, having an ongoing job to finance my expenses, and being away from Southern California and the challenges I was facing in my own home and family. And this newfound independence did help me grow; nonetheless, by my sophomore year, I grew to learn that I can’t—nor should I believe—that I can do everything on my own. Being connected, having community, and being vulnerable with myself and others are beautiful parts of living. It’s beautiful to be interdependent; it’s beautiful to be more than just myself. 

Favorite memory at Brown?

One of my favorite memories at Brown is most definitely the MHIRT pre-departure orientation which happened at the end of sophomore spring. Undoubtedly, the MHIRT (Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training program) was one of the first times at Brown where I felt like I was being invested in…like someone really believed in me and my passions (shoutout to the GHI staff & Eileen Wright!) It was also one of the first times where I felt like I was truly utilizing the university resources around me. At the MHIRT pre-departure orientation, I remember being surrounded by INCREDIBLE, inspiring, and passionate people who were going to Ghana, the Philippines, Romania, and Samoa (woo!) to do public health research. In addition to this, the orientation was the first time I saw a room filled with so many people of color (POC) & first-gen/low-income students who were passionate to make meaningful contributions to global health. Some people were going to countries where their family had roots in, and some people were going to an entirely new country, like me! Nonetheless, it was so impactful for me to see this because I truly hadn’t prior to that moment at Brown. I knew there were other POC and first-gen/low-income students doing pre-med/public health tracks, but I had never seen us come together like this. And moreover, we were coming together because we were given the opportunity to be a part of an incredible program that was investing in us to make a difference in the world.

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

I love discovering and re-discovering passions of mine. Obviously, those passions do sometimes cross paths with what I am doing at Brown, and that’s okay. In that sense, I enjoy being me. I am a dancer. I am an explorer. I am a lover of food and culinary creativity. I love learning about my family’s history and my roots in Mexico and India. I am a huge fan of Becky G. I love walking and biking. I love yoga and strength training. I love the sea and sea animals. I love connecting with friends, family, and meaningful people around me. I also love thinking about how I—how we—can make meaningful change in this world.

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 Ellen Cola (she/hers) below:

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

In a world where we have to work twice as hard to get half as far, being a Black U-Fli student means beating the odds.

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

The Brown NAACP

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Your presence at this University is revolutionary, always remember that.

Favorite memory at Brown?

I loved my first Spring weekend at Brown!

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

A daughter. A sister. A granddaughter.

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 Valerie Castro-Gomez (she/hers) below:

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

To me, being U-FLi means acting and doing for purposes greater than myself. As a senior, one of my major sources of motivation at the moment is the thought of my parents holding my diploma in a month. Being U-FLi means persisting through every hardship I’ve come across over these past four years so I can return home as someone who’s more like my parents: stronger and more caring. They have done so much to support my goals, and finishing my college education is one way I can show that their efforts are worth it.

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

Involving myself in clubs such as MEChA and La Alianza Latinx have helped me form and maintain relationships with wonderful friends, and their community events (especially those with Mexican food) will always be greatly appreciated. The U-FLi Center and student groups such as First-Gens@Brown and Sidney Frank Scholars (shoutout to Dean B) have also always been available for whenever I seek support or guidance.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Get in the habit of waking up early.

Favorite memory at Brown?

The countless times I went to Jo’s with my friends after a fun night. In these small moments of eating greasy french fries at 1am and cracking jokes in volumes that are way too loud to reach normally, I was cherished being at Brown because it led to these environments that induce happiness and relieve stress.

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

A sister that doesn’t get texts back from her brothers, a friend that sends too many TikToks to her loved ones, a food critic on Yelp, a romantic that lives vicariously through others by watching their love lives on reality tv…

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 Edith Mares (she/hers) below:

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

Being U-FLi means perseverance and success in the face of adversity. It means carrying on the fight of my past generations. Institutions like Brown were not made for students like me. Nevertheless, I came here and thrived as a student, leader, friend and person. It made my family and myself immensely proud.

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

Alpha Chi Omega, Latinas@Brown, BuDS

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

You’re not the only one struggling. Believe in yourself because you ACTUALLY got this. Also, do not be afraid to ask for help.

Favorite memory at Brown?

It would definitely have to be the memories I made with my sorority sisters.

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 Julia Sepulveda-Avalos (she/hers) below:

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

Being a first-generation, low-income student from a mixed status family means being resourceful, attentive, and present. It means that I have to put in more work into gaining access to networks, learning about opportunities, and generating confidence in pursuing my passions. To me, being UFLi means being part of a community that is underrepresented, and advocating for much needed change in resource-rich institutions. It means creating space and ensuring that others are empowered to reach their potential.

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

I don’t know if there’s a particular “community” at Brown that has made me feel at home. But, I have found a chosen family in my support structure at the CareerLAB. My supervisors and coworkers have truly empowered me to see beyond Brown, and to consider the strengths that I bring to different spaces.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

You may feel like you don’t belong, like you don’t know what you’re doing, and (sometimes) like it your presence here is not deserved. Those feelings are valid, but please be kind to yourself. You made it this far because of your tenacity. Continue to pursue things that excite you. Take chances, and try pushing yourself out of your comfort zone; it can be uncomfortable, but it will spur so much growth! Above all, love yourself and try to remember that you can (and should) take up space.

Favorite memory at Brown?

I don’t have a “favorite memory,” but I am so grateful to have met so many loving individuals. In particular, I think of the past four years spent alongside my best friend, Valerie. I will treasure the memories I made at Brown with my friends for the rest of my life.

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

Beyond the Brown bubble, I am a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I am someone who loves to be creative, and who enjoys consuming and critiquing content. And I strive to be someone who others can depend on.

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 Kelsie Lopez (she/hers) below:

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

Being the first in my family to graduate from college comes with its unique challenges, but above all else, I feel that it has granted me a deeper appreciation for my experience over the past four years. I cannot wait for the opportunity to have my whole family cheering me on as I walk across the stage and believe the wait will make the experience all the more special.

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

The entire community in the CLPS department has made Brown feel like a home for me. In particular, my lab, the Brown Language and Thought Lab, has been like an extended family on campus.

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Appreciate the successes and know that you will learn and grow from the challenges

Favorite memory at Brown?

Some of my fondest memories at Brown come from my time spent DJing and sharing music with the Providence community with 95.5 WBRU

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

Outside of Brown, I am an avid runner, devoted friend, and proud aunt!

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 Noah Duncan (he/his) below:

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

I identify as a first-generation college student, and that meant that I was coming into college without having much idea of how it worked. Some of my family friends had been to college, but I still didn’t know how to approach a professor’s office hours or what “networking” was. These issues were amplified by the pressure of being at an Ivy League institution, where I often felt I wasn’t smart enough to be here. In the end though, graduating as a U-FLi student means that I have overcome these obstacles, and that’s a really good feeling.

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

Soccer has been a great way for me to build community at Brown. Whether through IM soccer every single semester or RISD Midnight Soccer every Thursday night (would highly recommend, even if you have a 9am on Friday), I am thankful for the people that I’ve met simply through playing against them in sport. Combining exercise with friends was always great for my physical and mental health!

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Put yourself out there. You belong here at Brown, and you are smart enough to be here. Don’t let fear of the unknown keep you from reaching out to professors and other students. Brown has a huge network that you should tap into. And, please, I know you want to do an applied math concentration, but seriously consider a concentration in the humanities on top of that. The classes are way smaller, and it will open your eyes to the world.

Favorite memory at Brown?

I don’t have one single memory that comes to mind, but the most fun I had was hosting game nights with my friends. We would play on the same table every time, and I would have people sign the table if it was their first time playing. That table, with all of its signatures, holds a lot of memories within it.

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

I’m a positive and passionate guy from Michigan. I love being with my friends and family. My favorite activity is trying to make people laugh. I hope that I can use my Brown education to make a positive impact in the world.

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 Stefany Garcia (she/hers) below:

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

To me, being U-Fli means that there is a fundamental disconnect between the resources the University assumes I had/have and the resources I actually have. It means I can’t rely on the University to meet me where I’m at and must work to bridge that disconnect. It means finding people to do that work with me and building community.

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

The U-FLi community, Education Studies department, the queer community, the senior Latinx women friend group! 

Advice you’d give your first-year self?

Go to the BCSC more. If it’s a mostly-white space, maybe reconsider your interest in joining. Take a step back and be intentional about seeking out friends who can truly understand you. Remember to call your mom! 

Favorite memory at Brown?

Spring Weekend 2019. When Mitski walked on that stage and my girlfriend and I lost our minds! 

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

I’m a runner, a daughter, a coffee lover, a queer fiction lover, a queer woman, a lover of cats and a lover of personality tests