Helping first-gen students, graduate discovered her passion

Colleen Rich — Mon, 16 May 2022 17:48:04 +0000

Helping first-gen students, graduate discovered her passion Colleen Rich Mon, 05/16/2022 - 13:48

Mason student Olga Diupina completed several research projects on the accessibility of higher education, finding inspiration in English-language learners’ transition from high school to college.Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

While pursuing a degree in government and international politics at ��AV, Olga Diupina was thrilled to work in the field of political engagement. But between her personal experiences as a first-generation student and what she said she heard from colleagues, she realized her passion for equity wasn’t steering her toward the campaign trail, but back to higher education.

“I definitely didn’t come into college thinking I would want to work in admissions,” Diupina said. “But my passion is education policy. I want to ensure high retention rates for first-generation students making the transition between high school and college.”

Diupina, who finished her degree in three years, completed several research projects on the accessibility of higher education, finding inspiration in English-language learners’ transition from high school to college. She took this initiative into the Admissions Office at Mason, where she worked as a general admissions representative, leading tours across campus for first-generation students, and attempting to bridge the gap of accessibility so many fellow first-generation students face.

“While I’ve held a few political campaign internships, my main work has been with the Admissions Office,” said Diupina, a member of Mason’s Honors College. “I’ve spent most of my time there.”

With the guidance of faculty members—including Eva Bramesco, director of Mason’s University Scholars Program, and Assistant Admissions Director Carla Goodwin—and her day-to-day work in the admissions office, a full picture of a future pursuing her passions began to form.

She also received the 2022 Honors College Outstanding Service Award, with seniors Julia Hakeem (biology), Sean Diment (biology), and Kylie Smith (mathematics).

“Olga has elevated the entire Honors College Recruitment Team [HCRT] and has helped expand its size and scope from a group of student helpers to a thriving organization in which its members feel pride and ownership,” Bramesco said. “Olga is also instrumental in the success of our on-campus admissions events, providing logistical organization and direction for both the Ambassadors and HCRT.

“That Olga is so effective is impressive enough on its own,” Bramesco added, “but that she is able to balance these significant commitments successfully while also completing her degree in three years is nearly astonishing—and certainly recommends her well for the fast pace and hectic day-to-day of an admissions office.”

“Mason is such a diverse institution,” Diupina said. “There are people from all over the place, all over the world, all different walks of life. Being a first-generation student here, I’ve been able to meet others going through the same new experience—as well as discover how different our stories are.”

Diupina is graduating this spring with a bright future ahead of her.

“I hope to work in higher education in admissions. I want to stay at Mason as well,” she said.

"In admissions, we often say that there are those that do this for a few years, and there are lifers,” Bramesco said. "Olga is a lifer, and I look forward to seeing the impact she will leave on the profession."

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Schar School of Policy and Government

Schar School News May 2022

Student Spotlight: Sheila Lorenzo, From Cuba to the Capitol

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 13:17:36 +0000

Student Spotlight: Sheila Lorenzo, From Cuba to the Capitol Andrew J Schappert Wed, 04/27/2022 - 09:17

Sheila Lorenzo: ‘…I can make an impact by being involved in policy-making and sharing my story...’

Sheila Lorenzo didn’t expect to end up on Capitol Hill.

Lorenzo applied to ��AV to pursue a degree in biology but her aspirations swiftly shifted: Biology proved the wrong fit, but the Havana, Cuba-native said she has “always had a natural interest in international relations.”

Now a junior in the Schar School of Policy and Government, Lorenzo made the switch to a government and international politics major and picked up a minor in global affairs. Her studies focus on international policy, with an interest in issues such as terrorism and immigration.

Lorenzo moved to the U.S. in 2016, meaning many of her formative years were shaped by the culture and people of Havana. It also means having grown up in an environment where “the possibility to be involved in policy-making institutions is nearly zero for the regular citizens,” she said.

“Coming from a country where there is no internet or access to many resources, I was hungry for knowledge. I knew I could make a difference with the freedom I had here [in the U.S.]. Having the opportunity to do so has always been a dream of mine.”

Lorenzo has already made that dream a reality—and then some. Outside of her involvement on campus, in which she is an active member of the Chi Kappa chapter of Chi Omega, and participating in her classes, she has made the most of the internship opportunities available to Schar School students.

She started working at Mason at the College of Science’s renowned Ted R. Bradley Herbarium as a research assistant, where working with the internationally recognized collection of dried and pressed plant specimens was fueled by her original fascination with biology.

In spring of 2020, she held an off-campus internship with the California-based nonprofit Planetary Society, where she learned the complexities of creating earthly policy for use in space. “My Planetary Society internship was really fun,” she said. “I was mostly researching issues related to space, attending briefings, and drafting documents.”

And now Lorenzo now holds an “amazing and super interesting” internship on Capitol Hill, working for U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), who represents the Atlanta district previously represented by the late civil rights activist, John Lewis.

“I’ve been able to work closely on issues related to the district of Atlanta,” Lorenzo said. “On a daily basis, my job consists of tending to constituents worries and making sure they are presented to the Congresswoman, drafting letters, and attending conferences.”

The work means a lot to her.

“Knowing that I can be a part of something bigger, that I can make an impact by being involved in policy-making and sharing my story, and that I can educate those around me, is very fulfilling and motivates me to keep going," she said.

From Cuba to Capitol Hill, Lorenzo’s motivation and impact has been undeniable. She makes it abundantly clear that she has no plans on stopping.

“My ambition is to be a living example and a voice for my community,” she said, “for the Cubans who still live on the island, and for Cuban refugees all over the world.”

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internships

Undergraduate

Schar School News April 2022

Emily Williams

Helping first-gen students, graduate discovered her passion

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Student Spotlight: Sheila Lorenzo, From Cuba to the Capitol

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