When I first stepped into the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, I was
in shock and awe. It didn鈥檛 feel real. I had always dreamed of making a positive impact
in this world, but the road to get there was unclear. Growing up with a single mom
who was an immigrant and house cleaner, I was the first in my family to navigate higher
education. I went to a Title I high school in a rural area where less than 10% of
students went on to college, and STEM education was limited. Being at the UN was a
powerful reminder that the hard work I had been doing was paying off.
After taking two gap years bussing tables during the pandemic and figuring out college
applications on my own, walking into the UN felt like a sign that I was moving closer
to the dream I鈥檝e always carried: to change the world in a positive way.
My Journey with ONS
My connection with the 黄瓜视频鈥檚 Office of National Scholars (ONS)
started when I was researching how I could study abroad. As a student reliant on scholarships,
I knew funding would be essential. While exploring the USF website, I discovered that
ONS advisors could help students craft essays and apply for national scholarships.
That discovery changed everything.
The most valuable part of the process was the guidance I received from Assistant Director
Lauren Roberts. She not only gave me feedback on how to structure my essays but also
encouraged me to bring my authentic story into them. With her help, I secured the
Gilman Scholarship and was able to study abroad in Germany during spring 2024 鈥� something
I once thought was out of reach as a first-generation, low-income computer science
student.
ONS workshops like Finding Your Arc also had a big impact on me. It gave me tools to better articulate my goals and write
with clarity and purpose. I carried those lessons into my application for the UN Millennium Fellowship, where I was accepted for my work leading HackaBull, USF鈥檚 largest hackathon.
HackaBull was a passion project. Alongside other dedicated student leaders, I helped
revive the hackathon to secure $20,000 in sponsorship, welcome more than 300 attendees,
and even launch a partnership with the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship. We expanded the event to be interdisciplinary and continued the cybersecurity Capture
the Flag (CTF) tournament, a HackaBull tradition. My proudest moment was seeing the
event come alive with the energy of hundreds of students innovating, learning, and
enjoying the experience together.
The Millennium Fellowship also brought me to the United Nations headquarters. While
some say the UN doesn鈥檛 do enough, I left feeling inspired by the people I met who
are trying to build peace in a chaotic world. That visit reshaped me. It aligned me
more closely with the , connected me to mentors, and reminded me that despite my self-doubts, I can make
a difference.
Applying What I Learned
Since then, I have continued to seek opportunities to grow. I am currently a fellow
in the Break Through Tech AI program, run in partnership with Cornell University,
which teaches artificial intelligence and machine learning skills to underrepresented
students. I鈥檓 working on a group project with , a startup building an AI-powered platform to help individuals pivot into high-impact
careers. After my visit to the UN, this fellowship feels like a continuation of my
commitment to using technology for good and building solutions that serve humanity.
Looking ahead, I鈥檓 not exactly sure where I will land 鈥� whether at a major tech company
or contributing to a startup 鈥� but I know I will push for positive change through
technology and community. The fellowships I have been a part of and the support of
ONS have given me tools to grow, opportunities I never imagined, and connections with
people who inspire me to aim higher.
If I had one message for other students, it would be this: apply to ONS programs,
attend the workshops, and don鈥檛 be afraid to tell your story. You never know where
it might lead you. College is the place to push yourself, to grow, and to transform
your future. No matter where you came from or what challenges you鈥檝e faced, you still
have the chance to change your life for the better.
As the saying goes, 鈥渢he pen is mightier than the sword.鈥� By sharing my story, I have
unlocked doors I never thought I could open. And I hope others will too.
Students interested in working with the Office of National Scholars should reach out to an advisor or attend a workshop session.