The Core is an opportunity to inquire into the fundamental aspects of being and our relationship with God, nature and our fellow human beings.
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Mailelani Lessenberry is a junior Theology major and Business minor from Northwest Arkansas. She is a First Gen mentor, humanities tutor, public speaking and OptimalWork peer coach. Mailelani plans on attending graduate school to earn her PhD in order to become a theology professor. She enjoys helping First Gen students pursuing humanities degrees, but loves working with students from every discipline. Her advice to First Gen students is to remember that you are not alone; there are other students just like you who are willing to help.
Siracide (“Siri”) Contreras-Romero is a senior biology major from Flower Mound, TX. She has been a commuter since coming to UD and is a First Gen peer mentor. Siri plans on attending medical school and either becoming a pediatrician or OBGYN. She understands how difficult the transition into university and a liberal arts education can be but is also so passionate about involving the Core in many aspects of her education. Siri loves how the core allows us to be such well rounded students. She is inspired to be a mentor to other first-gen students because she wishes she had one of her own to help her navigate the difficulties of the transition period of freshman year and the difficulties of being a first generation college student.
Adriana Medina is a student athlete at UD. She plays basketball and is majoring in Psychology with a Teaching Concentration. She is from Ennis, TX, but has gone to Catholic school her whole life in Dallas. Adriana loves helping others, getting involved within our community and love meeting new people! Her goal this year as a First- Gen Peer mentor is to help others strive to be excellent students inside and outside the classroom. Adriana’s best piece of advice to First-Gen students is to not be afraid to ask questions. There are so many amazing people who are by your side and resources that will help you along the way throughout your college experience.
Karen Lugo is a sophomore Biology major from Dallas, Texas. After college, she hopes to pursue nursing and become a pediatric oncology registered nurse so she can care for children and support their families during difficult moments. She serves as a Small Group Leader, where she enjoys helping students feel welcomed, supported, and more confident as they adjust to college life. As a first-generation college student and commuter, Karen understands how challenging it can be to balance academics, work, family responsibilities, and being involved on campus. Her experiences have taught her that it is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them and keep moving forward. As a Small Group Leader, Karen wants other students to know that one mistake or difficult semester does not determine what they are capable of achieving. She hopes she can help them feel comfortable asking for help and remind them not to give up on themselves.
Evelyn Enciso is a sophomore Business major with a Spanish concentration from Irving, Texas. She serves as a First-Generation Peer Mentor at the University of Dallas. Her advice to first-gen college students is, “You are not alone—you have a community here at UD. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, use the resources available to you, and be open to trying new things.”