Biosketch
Name?
Mario Sordello
College?
College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Major?
Psychology
Hometown?
Lynn, Ma
Favorite hobbies?
Spending time with friends by trying different places to eat, take walks arounds, and intramural sports.
What’s your favorite thing about UML?
My favorite thing about UML so far has been the variety of experiences and people that you will have and meet here.
What are your future goals?
My future goals consist of a profession in the psychology field.
What has being involved with the RHSA meant to you?
Being involved in the RHSA has granted me the ability to connect to others who are also first-generation college students. It has also allowed me to branch out in the university and grow as a person.
Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself freshman year?
The advice I would give myself is to not be afraid to meet new people; try to be the one to reach out.
What advice would you give fellow students?
The advice I would give is to be passionate about what you are studying. Take courses that interest you and make you want to be engaged. The workload may be overwhelming at first but it takes one day at a time.
Why did you choose to attend UMass Lowell?
I chose Umass Lowell because their criminal justice program and wide range of courses caught my attention. I knew I wanted to be involved in the criminal justice system in some way, so UML was a great choice to study the topic and gain advantages in the field when I first decided to come here, but I ended up falling in love with psychology.
First-generation college students are defined at UMass Lowell as students whose parent(s) have not completed a four-year college/university degree. Based on the definition provided above – or based on your own perception of your identity – do you identify as being a first-generation college student?
Yes, I identify as being a first-generation college student as both my parents had not attended college after high school.
What does it mean to you to be a first-generation college student (if you identify as one)?
To me a first-generation college student means taking that next step in the direction you wish to proceed in. It is fulfilling your own academic goals by doing what you think is right for you.
What inspires you to want to help first-generation students in the River Hawk Scholars Academy?
I am inspired to help people in any way I can as I know the feeling of entering your first year of college and the stress that can come from it. I love meeting new people, so I knew I wanted to be involved as a peer leader.