{"id":627072,"date":"2024-11-07T16:41:28","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T21:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/?p=627072"},"modified":"2024-11-07T17:45:59","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T22:45:59","slug":"first-but-not-alone-mentorship-program-pairs-first-generation-students-with-alumni-627072","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/first-but-not-alone-mentorship-program-pairs-first-generation-students-with-alumni-627072\/","title":{"rendered":"First, but not alone: Mentorship program pairs first-generation students with alumni"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tanatchaya Chanphanitpornkit and Nichole Walig\u00f3ra\u2014the first in their families to attend university\u2014have forged a lasting connection as mentor and mentee.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Two
DYNAMIC DUO:<\/strong> Mentor Tanya Chanphanitpornkit \u201915E (left), a music education alumna, and mentee Nichole Waligora \u201926E, \u201926, a vocal performance and linguistics student. (Photo provided)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nichole Walig\u00f3ra \u201926E, \u201926 and Tanatchaya (Tanya) Chanphanitpornkit \u201915E are two remarkable University of Rochester<\/a> women who share a special bond: they are first-generation college students<\/a>. At Rochester, this means that neither of their parents or guardians earned a bachelor\u2019s degree from a college or university anywhere in the world\u2014making them the first in their immediate families to do so.<\/p>\n

Their achievement connects them to a larger community of students\u2014at Rochester and beyond\u2014who have broken generational barriers and paved new paths for their families. The pair met when they joined the University\u2019s Meliora Collective Mentorship Program<\/a> in 2023, becoming one of approximately 376 mentor-mentee duos participating in the program today.<\/p>\n

Chanphanitpornkit is a music educator, double bassist, and conductor. She teaches at Nyack Public Schools in New York and conducts at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege and at the New York Youth Symphony. Her teaching positions in higher education include Columbia University, William Paterson University, and the College of New Jersey. She is a founding member of the nonprofit Girls Who Conduct<\/a>. Chanphanitpornkit is currently a doctoral student at Teachers College, Columbia University, and received the University of Rochester\u2019s Alumni Service Award in 2024.<\/p>\n

Chanphanitpornkit\u2019s family moved from Thailand to the United States when she was ten to provide her with better educational opportunities. She knew her passion was music. In high school, during a trip to the University\u2019s Eastman School of Music to audition, the orientation committee made her feel like she was already part of the campus community.<\/p>\n

Her parents, recognizing the value of a strong academic foundation, prioritized her education and envisioned a college degree as the ultimate goal.\u00a0 When she enrolled at Eastman, Chanphanitpornkit took a pivotal step on her transformative higher education journey.<\/p>\n

\"Two
ALUMNI ACCOLADES:<\/strong> Tanya Chanphanitpornkit with Eastman School of Music Dean Kate Sheeran \u201902E during Meliora Weekend 2024, where she received the Alumni Service Award. (University of Rochester photo \/ Kurt Brownell)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Walig\u00f3ra, meanwhile, is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a dual degree in vocal performance from the Eastman School and in linguistics from the School of Arts & Sciences. She serves as the vice president of Eastman\u2019s American Choral Directors\u2019 Association and as secretary of the Students\u2019 Association, in addition to her roles as a Student Alumni Ambassador and a founding member of both the University\u2019s Polish Students\u2019 Association and the Eastman Latino and Hispanic Students\u2019 Association.<\/p>\n

Growing up in Queens, New York, Walig\u00f3ra\u2019s Polish father and Peruvian mother instilled in her a strong work ethic and a love for learning. Their support for her musical aspirations required significant sacrifices of investment and time, allowing her to pursue classical music with dedication and gratitude. This mutual admiration is evident as Walig\u00f3ra excels in her chosen fields and incorporates her culture in her work.<\/p>\n

Navigating the college experiences\u2014with an assist from the University<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Chanphanitpornkit\u2019s prospective student orientation at Eastman solidified her choice to apply and attend. She was drawn to the vibrant community, the supportive atmosphere, and the potential for personal growth. \u201cEastman is the place that will shape who I am for the next four years, and I am going to go here,\u201d she recalls thinking to herself.<\/p>\n

Walig\u00f3ra, for her part, prioritized strong program offerings, supportive faculty, and opportunities for interdisciplinary studies during the college search. Following a teacher\u2019s advice and focusing on these critical factors, she navigated the complex process of selecting a school, ultimately choosing the Eastman School of Music, which met all of her criteria.<\/p>\n

While Chanphanitpornkit\u2019s and Walig\u00f3ra\u2019s choice to attend Eastman was straightforward, the application process as a first-generation student proved more challenging.<\/p>\n

For students applying to universities in the United States, the college application process\u2014particularly the financial aid portion\u2014can be overwhelming and stress-inducing. And for first-generation students, the process is often compounded by financial literacy constraints, limited familial or professional guidance, and the daunting task of completing complex forms on strict deadlines.<\/p>\n

The University of Rochester is committed to supporting first-generation students throughout their entire academic journey.<\/p>\n

\"Nichole
TUNED IN:<\/strong> Nichole Walig\u00f3ra (right, in red) performs during a Hispanic Heritage Month concert. (University of Rochester photo \/ John Schlia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For prospective students, the admissions office<\/a> is ready to answer questions about the application process, academic programs, and campus life. The financial aid office<\/a> can help navigate federal student aid options (including FAFSA<\/a>), scholarships, and loans. Walig\u00f3ra, who now works in the admissions office, confirms that the University welcomes questions and encourages first-generation students to be open about their needs.<\/p>\n

That welcoming spirit extends to the on-campus student experience, with services and opportunities for first-generation students embedded throughout the University. In addition to guidance from faculty and staff, the Parents and Families website<\/a> provides a place to explore resources, events, scholarships, stories, and more to support the first-generation community.<\/p>\n

Chanphanitpornkit shares, \u201cThe resources were always there. I just didn’t know they were always there.\u201d Which is why she\u2019s made it priority to help get the word out to fellow first-generation students like Walig\u00f3ra.<\/p>\n

A bond forged through mentorship<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Chanphanitpornkit and Walig\u00f3ra found a meaningful connection through the University\u2019s Meliora Collective Mentorship Program, with their shared understanding of the challenges and triumphs of being a first-generation student\u2014something the mentorship program coordinators considered when pairing them together.<\/p>\n

It can, after all, be challenging for first-generation students to share their college journey with family who have not experienced the same complexities of applying to and attending college. Yet the Meliora Collective Mentorship Program provided a safe space for them and others to discuss their experiences openly.<\/p>\n

In their mentor-mentee relationship, Chanphanitpornkit offers guidance, counsel, and advice to Walig\u00f3ra, helping her navigate the complexities of college life. In turn, Walig\u00f3ra provides a listening ear, allowing Chanphanitpornkit to reflect on her journey and connect with her first-generation identity even more. The power of their connection lies in their shared vulnerability. As Chanphanitpornkit puts it, \u201cNichole has given me the gift of processing my own experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n

First-hand advice for first-generation students<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Chanphanitpornkit and Walig\u00f3ra offer words of wisdom based on their experiences, reflections, and interactions.<\/p>\n