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I’m from Fort Collins, and all of my friends were going to go to CSU. I wanted a new start. I thought it’d be good for my college life.

I decided to be a mentor for a 12-year-old girl named Marchelle through the Weld County Youth Alternative Mentoring program. I spend at least three hours a week with her. We go to the skate park, or a movie. I’m taken her to the dining hall, the campus library and to see my room. I want her to see what she can do in the world. And it’s a really good experience for me.

One of the reasons I chose UNC was the President’s Leadership Program. It’s a program to help students grow into the leader they want to be. This program has given me support, resources and confidence for my future.

Another reason I chose UNC was because of the Cumbres program. As part of the program, every student gets a mentor. My mentor is Trish Escobar. She is the interim director of the Chavez Center on campus. I could be having the worst day ever, and her energy and positive attitude will just turn it around. She supports me on every endeavor I take on. She has pushed me to challenge myself.

The programs and people who have helped me at UNC have helped me stand tall when I felt I might collapse. As a first generation student and a woman of color, I have been able to succeed that to this constant support. It has built my self confidence. I’m even going to run for the Student Representative Council on campus—and I’m a freshman!

As a first generation student, I decided to take advantage of the Center for Human Enrichment. They offered a special two-day orientation that was really cool. It was a great experience. I even got to know my boyfriend there. You meet a lot of people and it’s a place that helps you create connections.

I chose to live in Sabin Hall. It’s the residence hall for freshmen in the Cumbres program. It’s a way to connect with others who are in cohort classes. But I really don’t spend much time in the dorm.

I volunteered to help with The Taste of APASS, which stands for Asian Pacific Students Services. I also went to the Chinese New Year’s Celebration on campus. The Diversity Council here is great. They have a "See Truth Not Ignorance" program on campus.