Student Support Program Looks to Its Roots with 'Breaking Barriers' Name Change
Back in 2017, Yeidaly Mejia '19 and Alex Berndt '19 created a program they called 鈥淏reaking Barriers鈥 with support of a Pensby Center fellowship. The program鈥檚 goal was to provide support for the growing number of first-generation students at UU直播.
The response to the program was so great that the College used the model to establish a formal FGLI (First-Generation Low Income) program through the Pensby Center in 2019. In the fall of 2021, Leslie Castrejon joined the Pensby staff as its inaugural dean for student support and belonging, and began to administer the program as part of her role.
As she worked with students throughout the year, Castrejon started to hear a common refrain.
鈥淪tudents are really excited about the program, but the term 鈥楩GLI鈥 seemed in some ways to limit students鈥 self-understanding,鈥 says Castrejon. 鈥淪tudents have many different experiences, with the FGLI element making up just one part of it.鈥
So Castrejon and her student advisors consulted with students in the program and decided to draw on the program鈥檚 origins and rename the program 鈥淏reaking Barriers.鈥
鈥淲e want our community to feel welcomed and celebrated,鈥 says Castrejon. 鈥淥ur goal is to continue building and expanding on the thoughtful work students have done for our community.
鈥淐hanging our name is the first step in a new chapter of developing community and a deeper sense of belonging for students participating in this program. Our community has broken barriers prior to arriving at Bryn Mawr, it breaks barriers on a daily basis while here, and members will continue to do so beyond their time at Bryn Mawr.鈥
Thirteen percent of Bryn Mawr鈥檚 current undergraduate students identify as first-generation college students.
Upcoming Programming:
- MIJ & Breaking Barriers Wonderspaces Trip, Friday, April 8, 6-10 p.m., Meeting Location: New Dorm
- Breaking Barriers Mentorship Program Orientation, Friday, April 15, 3-4 p.m., Community Room, Student Life & Wellness Center
- Breaking Barriers Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 17, 3-4 p.m., Sunken Garden, rain or shine