Support Services for First-Generation Students
River Hawk Scholars Academy
The River Hawk Scholars Academy (RHSA) promotes academic success and fosters active campus engagement for full-time, first-year UMass Lowell students who identify as first-generation college students. Learn more.River Hawk Rising Scholars
River Hawk Rising Scholars is a cohort-based scholar initiative run through the Office of Multicultural Affairs designed to support students as they successfully navigate UMass Lowell. Scholars meet weekly with a coach, attend workshops and participate in community building activities together. Read more.DC-CAP
The District of Columbia College Access Program (DC-CAP) is a a nonprofit that provides students in public and public charter high schools in the District of Columbia access to counseling and scholarships to enable them to enroll in and graduate from college. The overwhelming majority of students served by DC-CAP are from low-income, minority, single-parent households and are the first in their families to attend college. Read more.Faculty & Staff Supporters
Join the Celebration 11/9
The River Hawk Scholars Academy Has An Impact on Its Members
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96% of students believed the RHSA was a welcoming community for them during their first year of college. -
92% agreed that the RHSA played a vital role in their success at UMass Lowell. -
98% of RHSA students felt more confident about achieving their goals after completing the program.
Meet Some of Our First-Generation Students
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Business Administration
As she begins her career at Fidelity, Yeaharne Hout sees how transformative her UML experience has been.
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Political Science
Shirley Adubofour is putting her studies in political science and race and ethnic studies into practice as a student representative on UML’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force.
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Mechanical Engineering
Gifty Kessie takes advantage of opportunities to learn and grow – and then turns around and offers a helping hand to others.
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Business
Justin Baez Peguero is studying business, working three jobs and serving in student government.
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Political Science & Philosophy
Honors College student Daphne Shakira Naut was already fluent in two languages and had started on two more by the time she finished high school. Here at UML, she’s picked up a fifth language and studied abroad three times – all while supporting herself.
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Political Science, Biology
Sean Simonini is making an impact at the Statehouse and beyond.
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Nursing
Isabella De Souza has won two scholarships that will allow her to study Spanish abroad, so she can bring multiple languages to her future nursing career.
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Physics
Nazeli Acosta won a State Department Scholarship to study rural health care in the Dominican Republic.
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Public Health
Jack Callahan is pursuing a public health degree to improve the lives of as many people as possible.
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History, Security Studies
2021 Student Commencement Speaker Jamie Smorczewski knows what it means to persevere, over injury, health issues, the pandemic and life’s curveballs.
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Nursing
Juana Guerrero came to UML with strong academic credentials. A support program helped boost her confidence and leadership skills, too.
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Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Big ambitions, combined with practical thinking, led Jessica Tran to UMass Lowell.
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Political Science
First-gen student Neyder Fernandez is president of the Student Government Association.
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Exercise Science, Physical Therapy and Kinesiology
Clinical Assoc. Prof. Edgar Torres was the first in his family to go to college. Now, he’s a mentor to first-year, first-generation college students.
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Business Administration
Business student Nadine Chamoun stepped out of her comfort zone for an IT internship. And she’s glad she did.
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Criminal Justice
Veyli Ortiz Solis earned a B.S. in criminal justice in just three years – with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
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Public Health
Kelsey Gonzalez cares for asylum seekers as program manager for Global Disaster Response and Humanitarian Action at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Global Health.
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Biology
Marine Corps veteran Daryle LaMonica is on the fast track to becoming a doctor through the UMass Medical School Baccalaureate to M.D. Pathway Program.
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Biology and UTeach
Ralph Saint-Louis ’18, ’20 was recognized by Time Magazine as one of its 2022 Innovative Teachers.
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Public Health
Student Government Association Vice President Nosagiegbon (Sai) Igiede takes advantage of leadership opportunities to develop his skills and support his classmates.
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Quantitative Economics
Wonder Ahiatsi chose UMass Lowell for its B.S. in quantitative economics.
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English – Creative Writing
Inspired by a summer program, Carolina Reyes is determined to become an English teacher at Lawrence High School.
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English-Creative Writing
As student newspaper editor, Ashley Rivera helps other people tell stories.
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Criminal Justice
Becoming a Red Sox Scholar in middle school set Nicole Carrasco-Cruz on course for her UML degree.
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Biology
Shakira Fedna came to UMass Lowell because of the River Hawk Scholars Academy, a support program for first-generation college students.
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Public Health
For Nery Rodriguez, public health is the perfect major to combine science with helping people and communities.
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Political Science
After a successful recruiting and development career that has spanned the nonprofit, corporate and higher education worlds, political science alumna Sophan Smith ’02 has come full circle as the new executive director for EforAll Lowell, the nonprofit small business accelerator started at UMass Lowell.
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Accounting, Finance
A staff accountant internship at Novogradac confirmed business major Heer Patel’s interest in auditing.
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Education
Janelle Christopher started studying at UMass Lowell at the same time as her mom, Lorraine.
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Finance
A series of mentors helped Cleidir Mendes thrive at UML — and land a job at Fidelity Investments.
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Business
Twisha Mohapatra says her experiences in the River Hawk Scholars Academy and the Honors College have boosted her confidence, taught her leadership skills and set her up for academic success.
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Nursing
Caroline Owusu lost an internship because of the COVID-19 pandemic – and found a passion for research.
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Nursing
Coral Gonzalez set her sights on becoming a nurse after she was hospitalized in middle school. The Honors College student won one of the first Oprah Winfrey Scholarships to help her succeed.
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Meteorology & Atmospheric Science
As an aspiring broadcast meteorologist, Victoria Wisniewski was attracted to UML due to its bachelor’s-to-master’s programs, successful alumni and research opportunities.
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English
Tariq Brathwaite’s superpowers — creativity and work ethic — have already taken him farther than he dreamed possible.
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Electrical Engineering, UTeach
Javier Palma is earning a teaching license along with his B.S. in electrical engineering.
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Public Health
Valeria Saldana knew she had found a welcoming community from her first visit to campus.
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Psychology, Sociology and Race and Ethnic Studies
Debby Fernand says the River Hawk Scholars Academy has introduced her to friends and faculty mentors – and turned her into a leader herself.
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Psychology and Criminal Justice
Asst. Teaching Prof. Yahayra Michel, who was a first-generation college student, found her mentors at UMass Lowell.
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Nursing
Jessica Dossantos chose UMass Lowell for its patient simulation labs – and because her twin sister liked the university, too.
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Mechanical Engineering
Jonathan Aguilar ’21 started a 3D printing company as an undergrad that he now runs at the Haverhill Innovation Hub.
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Business
Honors College student Jennifer Dossantos is majoring in business because she’s inspired by her mom.
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Mechanical Engineering
As one of the university’s first DC-CAP Scholars, mechanical engineering major Kevin Akers is pursuing his dream of becoming an astronaut — while also continuing to make a difference in the lives of others.
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Accounting
Accounting student Victor Souza knew all about hard work when he arrived at UMass Lowell. His focus was on getting involved during his undergraduate career — while also gaining valuable professional experience through internships.
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Public Health
The River Hawk Scholars Academy, a support program for first-generation college students, gave Monica Kong the confidence she needed to succeed – and lead.
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French
Kevin Harrington’s love of the French language has translated into transformative academic research and a semester abroad in France.
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Marketing & Management
Business administration major Keviana-Joy George transformed from a shy transfer student to an outgoing student leader who is on track for a career in human resources.
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English & Music Composition
Emily Crespo came to UML for its affordability – and for the River Hawk Scholars Academy, now a supportive community for first-year, first-generation college students.
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Business Administration, Entrepreneurship
Kristin Kihara started her own digital magazine, Black, highlighting creators who “aren’t really seen.”
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Computer Engineering
Honors transfer student Fidel Castro wants to make a name for himself in the field of nanotechnology manufacturing.
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Economics and Psychology
Douglas Correa Ospina plans to combine his studies in psychology and economics to help immigrants and others from marginalized groups become more financially secure.
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Nursing
A research scholarship taught nursing student Alexa DeVito more about her chosen profession – and gave her a faculty mentor.
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Nutritional Science
A first-generation college student, Jeremy Duford was nervous about starting college. He says the River Hawk Scholars Academy was a tremendous support.
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Psychology
The Moloney Student Fellowship Fund allowed Mathew D’Entremont to take an unpaid internship with a Lowell nonprofit.
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Applied Biomedical Sciences
Jennica Hamm was mentored and is now a mentor herself, helping first-year students get acclimated to campus and academic life.
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Electrical Engineering
Jacob Villeneuve was drawn to UML by its sound recording technology and Air Force ROTC programs.
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Peace and Conflict Studies & Political Science
Dana Ibrahim chose UMass Lowell for its peace and conflict studies program, which lets her combine classes across the social sciences and humanities to suit her goal: to become a diplomat and aid refugees.