Alex Valdez ’19 First Gen Student Profile

By Nali Byrd '19 on December 13, 2017

Name: Alex Valdez

Major: Peace and Conflict Studies

Hometown: Ontario, California

What clubs are you a part of at Colgate?

I am a part of First Gen, Senate (EAC Chair), LASO (External Communicator), Quizbowl Trivia Team (Secretary), University Orchestra, SASS (VP), Link Staff, DU (SAPAS Chair).

What does being in the First Gen program mean to you?

First Gen has been one of the most important aspects of my college experience. For students like myself, coming from public high schools with more than 80% students of color, the transition to an elite, wealthy, white school like Colgate can be tough and scary. First Gen gave me time during the pre-orientation to settle in and meet other people in the same situation as me. Even now, the program provides many resources for its students, and I know I always have a community on campus to fall back on for support when I need it.

What has been your highlight of Colgate so far?

The highlight of my Colgate career has definitely been the experience of navigating unfamiliar spaces. Knowing that I have spaces like First Gen and LASO has made me more comfortable trying things I’m unfamiliar with.

What advice would you give to younger students at Colgate?

Something I would say to younger students at Colgate is to find your balance. Find places, people, and communities that support you and make you comfortable, while also experimenting with new things. Know your limits. It took a while, but once I found my balance, my experience became much better day by day.

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Jimmy Anim ’19 Abroad

By Nali Byrd '19 on December 13, 2017

Name: James (Jimmy) Anim

Hometown: Bronx, New York
Major/Minor: Economics/Political Science

Q1: Where are you studying abroad currently?
I am studying abroad in Manchester, England.

Q2: What has been the most memorable part of your abroad experience so far?
The most memorable part of my experience has been visiting Amsterdam. It’s a gorgeous city and I wish I could live there in the near future.

Q3. What is one new thing you have learned while being abroad?
Once you mention you’re from the United States, people bring up Trump, gun violence, or the insanely high cost of college education in the United States. Basically, even the country that voted for Brexit without knowing what it’s about laugh at us.

Q4. Have you tried any new foods/ drinks?
I’ve eaten a lot of great Indian and Southeast Asian food during my time here. I’ve also had fish and chips (an English staple) about 3 times. However, I’m already tired of it because I am not into thick-cut fries.

Q5. What was one unexpected aspect about being abroad?
I feel less stressed while abroad. I thought I would have the same amount of stress, but I feel relaxed. Maybe too relaxed (lol). I’m ready to go back to Colgate, but I’ll certainly miss the pace that comes with being abroad.

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Enrique Nunez ’19 First Gen Profile

By Nali Byrd '19 on December 13, 2017

Name: Enrique Nuñez

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

Major: Educational Studies

Minor: Latin American Studies

What clubs are you a part of at Colgate:

I currently serve as the Intern for OUS and First Gen Programs. I am a part of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), Link Staff, and a Bystander Intervention Intern.

What does being in the first gen program mean to you?:

Being a first-generation college student has been hard, my experiences in navigating Colgate without much support from my family is different in comparison to students whose parents did go to college and somewhat know what their child is going through. Being in the first- gen program means the world to me because it has given me a support system that I can lean on

whenever I need to. I have been allowed to meet some of the most amazing people through First Gen and OUS who are now my best friends.

What has been your highlight of Colgate so far?

My favorite Colgate moments have been when I was able to travel abroad to Ecuador on a service-learning trip sponsored by COVE. On this trip, I was able to reflect on my past two years at Colgate and gain a better sense of what I want from my Colgate experience. Since the trip, I have dropped my International Relations major to major in Educational Studies because that department suited more towards my passions.

What advice would you give to younger students at Colgate?

Do what you are truly passionate about whether that be joining a club sport, majoring in Economics or wanting to become fluent in a language. I believe that if you pursue what you desire most only then will you be able to make Colgate yours.

What would you change about Colgate if you could?

The reason that I came to Colgate was due to the financial aid package that I was offered — something that I would not have known about if Colgate did not send an admissions counselor to my high school. I wish Colgate focused more energy on sending admissions counselors to underrepresented schools throughout the country, schools like my own that mostly consisted of low-income students of color who, if looked at, could also take part in the opportunities that Colgate has to offer.

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Newsletter: Fall, 2017

By Contributing Writer on December 11, 2017

The OUS Newsletter highlights the achievements as well as activities of our OUS scholars, faculty, and staff around campus and beyond.

You can download the fall, 2017 issue here.

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