Student Stories

In this episode of Student Success Stories Neshana and Ruth share their inspiring journeys and tells us what it took to get to where they are today. Coming from South and Central America, Neshana and Ruth narrate their experiences and converse about their struggles growing up and going to school. They talk about the people who have helped them most on their journeys and how they overcame obstacles before coming to UAlbany and after they arrived. Their resilience and perseverance will show you that working through your challenges now will eventually get you to where you want to be.  Chapter 2 “Eat the World” :00 - Ruth’s Start After High School :53 - Ruth and Neshana’s Greatest Supports 2:01 - Neshana’s Struggles Growing Up 3:36 - The Importance of Family 6:31 - Dealing with Mental Health Struggles 10:53 - What’s Next for Them Contributors: Neshana (storyteller), Ruth (storyteller), Ariah Matias (sound editor), James Ashley (sound editor), Derick Pilgrim (sound editor), Alejandra Bronfman (postproduction), Ilka Kressner (postproduction), Chris Andre (postproduction), Joanna Dreby (preproduction), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Success Stories, Episode 5.2 [Podcast].

In this episode of Student Success Stories Neshana and Ruth share their  inspiring journeys and tells us what it took to get to where they are  today. Coming from South and Central America, Neshana and Ruth narrate  their experiences and converse about their struggles growing up and  going to school. They talk about the people who have helped them most on  their journeys and how they overcame obstacles before coming to UAlbany  and after they arrived. Their resilience and perseverance will show you  that working through your challenges now will eventually get you to  where you want to be. Chapter 1 “Never Throw Away the Dream” :00 - Coming to UAlbany 2:27 - Striving for a Dream 3:13 - Encouragement in College 5:57 - Having a Support System  7:13 - Life in El Salvador  Contributors: Neshana (storyteller), Ruth (storyteller), Ariah Matias (sound editor), James Ashley (sound editor), Derick Pilgrim (sound editor), Alejandra Bronfman (postproduction), Ilka Kressner (postproduction), Chris Andre (postproduction), Joanna Dreby (preproduction), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Success Stories, Episode 5.1 [Podcast].

In this episode of Student Success Stories we hear a profound conversation between undergraduate students Chris, a Senior, and Carla, a Freshman. They give us insight into their experiences as current students, and share why it’s so important to join organizations early and take big steps to get yourself out there. Hearing their stories about branching out and making connections will inspire you to do the same and take those strides you may think are too risky. Listen to all three chapters!

Chapter 3 “Don’t be Afraid”

:00 - Carla’s Path So Far

1:38 - Becoming a Scholar

3:40 - Communicating with Family

6:56 - Don’t Be Afraid of Uncertainty

Contributors:

Carla Ellis (storyteller), Chris Andre (storyteller), Ariah Matias (sound editor), James Ashley (sound editor), Derick Pilgrim (sound editor), Alejandra Bronfman (postproduction), Ilka Kressner (postproduction), Chris Andre (postproduction), Joanna Dreby (preproduction), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Success Stories, Episode 4 [Podcast].

Music from El Pañuelo de Pepa by Javier Colina and Pepe Rivero. José Cruz, Executive Producer

In this episode of Student Success Stories we hear a profound conversation between undergraduate students Chris, a Senior, and Carla, a Freshman. They give us insight into their experiences as current students, and share why it’s so important to join organizations early and take big steps to get yourself out there. Hearing their stories about branching out and making connections will inspire you to do the same and take those strides you may think are too risky. Listen to all three chapters!

Chapter 2 “It’s OK to Not Know”

:00 - Connections through Branching Out

4:06 - Making Your Own Way

5:15 - It’s Okay to Not Know

8:20 - Involving yourself in Class

Contributors:

Carla Ellis (storyteller), Chris Andre (storyteller), Ariah Matias (sound editor), James Ashley (sound editor), Derick Pilgrim (sound editor), Alejandra Bronfman (postproduction), Ilka Kressner (postproduction), Chris Andre (postproduction), Joanna Dreby (preproduction), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Success Stories, Episode 4 [Podcast].

Music from El Pañuelo de Pepa by Javier Colina and Pepe Rivero. José Cruz, Executive Producer

In this episode of Student Success Stories we hear a profound conversation between undergraduate students Chris, a Senior, and Carla, a Freshman. They give us insight into their experiences as current students, and share why it’s so important to join organizations early and take big steps to get yourself out there. Hearing their stories about branching out and making connections will inspire you to do the same and take those strides you may think are too risky. Listen to all three chapters!

Chapter 1 “Taking Big Steps”

:00 - Introductions

:25 - How did they meet?

1:44 - Joining Organizations

4:08 - Encouragement through Experience

7:17 - Taking Big Steps

Contributors:

Carla Ellis (storyteller), Chris Andre (storyteller), Ariah Matias (sound editor), James Ashley (sound editor), Derick Pilgrim (sound editor), Alejandra Bronfman (postproduction), Ilka Kressner (postproduction), Chris Andre (postproduction), Joanna Dreby (preproduction), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Success Stories, Episode 4 [Podcast].

Music from El Pañuelo de Pepa by Javier Colina and Pepe Rivero. José Cruz, Executive Producer

This episode of Student Success Stories shows us the importance of having a mentor. Thania and Shirley share their motivational stories about how their mentors have been a great help on their journeys through college. They explain how having a mentor influenced them to do better, and strive for things of which they didn’t know they were capable. This podcast will make you want to seek a mentor that can guide you through your college experience, and help you on your journey afterwards.

:00 - Finding Your Mentor

2:50 - What’s Next for Thania

4:18 - How Shirley’s Mentor Influenced Her

6:19 - Shirley’s Future Plans

Shirley Machado (storyteller), Thania Rodas (storyteller), Ariah Matias (sound editor), James Ashley (sound editor), Derick Pilgrim (sound editor), Chris Andre (postproduction), Alejandra Bronfman (postproduction), Ilka Kressner (postproduction), Joanna Dreby (preproduction), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Success Stories, Episode 3 [Podcast].

Music from El Pañuelo de Pepa by Javier Colina and Pepe Rivero. José Cruz, Executive Producer.

This episode of Student Success Stories shows us the importance of having a mentor. Thania and Shirley share their motivational stories about how their mentors have been a great help on their journeys through college. They explain how having a mentor influenced them to do better, and strive for things of which they didn’t know they were capable. This podcast will make you want to seek a mentor that can guide you through your college experience, and help you on your journey afterwards.

:00 - Introductions

:56 - What is a Mentor?

1:28 - Thania's and Shirley's UAlbany Mentors

5:40 - How They Help Navigate College

Shirley Machado (storyteller), Thania Rodas (storyteller), Ariah Matias (sound editor), James Ashley (sound editor), Derick Pilgrim (sound editor), Chris Andre (postproduction), Alejandra Bronfman (postproduction), Ilka Kressner (postproduction), Joanna Dreby (preproduction), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Success Stories, Episode 3 [Podcast].

Music from El Pañuelo de Pepa by Javier Colina and Pepe Rivero. José Cruz, Executive Producer.

In this episode of Student Success Stories, we explore the paths of Liza and Kaitlin. We get to hear about their lives before deciding to finish college and what it’s like being ‘non-traditional’ college students. It’s motivating to hear their perspectives on college and their desire to complete what they started. They tell stimulating stories about the risks they took and the big steps they didn't expect, but don’t regret. 

:00 - Perfecting Spanish and Using it as an Asset

2:35 - Taking Risks and Realizing Potential

5:01 - Everything Happens for a Reason

8:04 - Being Open to What’s Next

Contributors:

Liza Muñoz (storyteller), Kaitlin Moen (storyteller), Ariah Matias (sound editor), James Ashley (sound editor), Derick Pilgrim (sound editor), Chris Andre (postproduction), Alejandra Bronfman (postproduction), Ilka Kressner (postproduction), Joanna Dreby (preproduction), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Success Stories, Episode 2 [Podcast]. 

In this episode of Student Success Stories, we explore the paths of Liza and Kaitlin. We get to hear about their lives before deciding to finish college and what it’s like being ‘non-traditional’ college students. It’s motivating to hear their perspectives on college and their desire to complete what they started. They tell stimulating stories about the risks they took and the big steps they didn't expect, but don’t regret. 

:00 - Introduction

1:00 - Kaitlin After High School

2:01 - Liza’s Life Before College

3:25 - Experience of Choosing College Non-Traditionally

4:37 - Kaitlin’s Travel Bug and Study Abroad

5:49 - Deciding to go to College

8:43 - Path to UAlbany

11:40 - Taking Studies a Step Further

13:53 - Doubt is Part of the Process

Contributors:

Liza Muñoz (storyteller), Kaitlin Moen (storyteller), Ariah Matias (sound editor), James Ashley (sound editor), Derick Pilgrim (sound editor), Alejandra Bronfman (postproduction), Ilka Kressner (postproduction), Chris Andre (postproduction), Joanna Dreby (preproduction), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Success Stories, Episode 2 [Podcast].

Music from El Pañuelo de Pepa by Javier Colina and Pepe Rivero. José Cruz, Executive Producer.

In this episode, UAlbany graduate students Steven and Mauricio speak about their experiences becoming college students, the hurdles they encountered along the way, and the paths they chose to put them on the road to success. Listen to this conversation between Steven and Mauricio—you will connect to their stories of finding community, resilience and empowerment, and reflect on your own choices. 

:00 - Identity Crisis

3:00 - Using Spanish as an Opportunity

6:21 -Bonding through Culture, Friends, and Food

10:38 - Becoming Independent Through College

14:15 - What’s Next?

Contributors:

Mauricio Ramirez (storyteller), Steven Caraballo (storyteller), Ariah Matias (sound editor), James Ashley (sound editor), Derick Pilgrim (sound editor),  Chris Andre (postproduction), Alejandra Bronfman (postproduction), Ilka Kressner (postproduction), Joanna Dreby (preproduction), Carmen Serrano (Editor/Executive Producer). UAlbany Student Success Stories, Episode 1 [podcast].

Music from El Pañuelo de Pepa by Javier Colina and Pepe Rivero. José Cruz, Executive Producer.