Meet Our Year One and Year Mentors of the Year

For the past month, we’ve been walking you through the ins and outs of our Scholar Dollars and ELD Grant programs, as well as our incredible Scholarship offerings. This month, we’re bringing you some one on one interviews with scholarship funders and partners, Scholars who have received funding, and more.

We spoke with Amy Galibois, Director of Scholar Supports and Scholarships at Chicago Scholars, about what she finds fulfilling in her work, what her day to day work looks like, and more.

What is your role and what does it entail? 

“I am the Director of Scholar Supports and Scholarships. That means I oversee all scholarship work for the organization. The main goal is connecting Scholars to scholarships, to close financial gaps. Ideally, to help them matriculate and persist through college without loans, helping make college financially feasible. I’ll have been with Chicago Scholars 5 years in July.”

What do you find fulfilling about your work? 

“Building relationships with scholarship recipients. Watching them realize their passions, explore their interests, soak in the college experience in their field of study, without worrying about the financial stress piece. If they aren’t as worried about affording college or putting the mental/physical time and energy into finding the funding, it’s fulfilling to see them devote that energy, time, and attention into exciting avenues, setting them up to reach the goals they have for themselves. So go ahead and give it your all to a club you want to lead or devote your mental energy to preparing for med school, or whatever it might be without having to stress about the finances.”

What is something about your job that you wish people knew? 

“What sticks with me is that the impact of scholarships goes far beyond the financial support. At the base level, it’s helpful financially, and receiving a scholarship can give such an affirmation of what a student has been driving for. The fact someone believes in them, says they’ll put their money behind them, the encouragement piece. And the community that is created with other recipients and donors can also be very important. Sometimes with scholarship partners, there are multiple levels of benefits beyond the financial piece of a scholarship.  

Depending on the scholarship, it may open the door to another opportunity or help the recipient strengthen or create the network they can lean on in their career journey. Perhaps they’ll have the chance to connect to someone in a career field because of their scholarship, or even form a relationship with someone who could serve as a mentor.  

The many levels of support that come with receiving a scholarship make it impactful beyond the money. Of course, the money matters, but that isn’t all of it. Winning a scholarship, that’s another achievement and it might make other people take a second look and take a chance on the recipient, the skills they bring, and their accomplishments.”

How does your work fit into the ecosystem of Chicago Scholars and our Scholars lives? 

“I love my place in the organization because there is a strong piece of my work that gives me the opportunity to connect with Scholars. At the same time, I enjoy the opportunity to build relationships with donors and other scholarship providers in the community, and also help to connect other providers to our scholars. Even if it’s not a scholarship I oversee, we can still support our Scholars in putting forward a strong application for other great programs that offer financial assistance and much more. We work closely with other providers, getting to know donors, partners, and families – all in support of our Scholars.”

Do you have a favorite scholarship related story/memory?

“I am fortunate to get to know our CS scholarship recipients and to witness their journeys throughout the college years. When they’re just starting off, when they are applying for scholarships, seeing them come to an event, meeting them as they are on the cusp of their college journey and witnessing how they grow over the course of college. Seeing them find their way, exploring new interests, joining clubs, getting those internships, studying abroad, and persisting to graduation. It’s really powerful to see them grow throughout the progression of their college experience. It’s very special.”

What does your day-to-day work look like? 

“For a potential donor, it may help to know what I do in the management of the CS scholarships. I oversee the administration from scholarship development in collaboration with donors, to hosting the application, supporting Scholars through the application process, reviewing applications, selecting recipients, dispersing funds, and checking in on the recipients throughout college to ensure they are on track and to connect them with helpful resources. I manage the full annual cycle of the work – it’s very fulfilling.” 

Discover more about our scholarship opportunities, read about recent awardees, and learn how to become a funder by visiting our Chicago Scholars Scholarships webpage: https://chicagoscholars.org/scholarships/. If you are interested in exploring opportunities to sponsor a scholarship for our students, please contact us at scholarships@chicagoscholars.org. 

For the past month, we’ve been walking you through the ins and outs of our Scholar Dollars and ELD Grant programs, as well as our incredible Scholarship offerings. This month, we’re bringing you some one on one interviews with scholarship funders and partners, Scholars who have received funding, and more.

We spoke with Marci Santos, current Sophomore at Hope College, and recipient of the Rusty Cohen Legacy Scholarship Fund with Chicago Scholars and Magid, about how she landed the scholarship, what it’s allowed her the freedom to do, and what it means to her to be a recipient.

Hi Marci! Tell Us A Bit About Yourself and Where You Go To School

“I am a First Generation Latina student studying Business and Political Science at Hope College. I’m also a Chicago Scholar from the Class of 2027, as well as a recipient of the Rusty Cohen Scholarship. I am currently a Phelps Scholar, Vander Werf Scholar and am involved in a number of student organizations on campus!”

Can you tell us about the Scholarship you received?

“I am a recipient of the Rusty Cohen Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship is in honor of Rusty Cohen, who was the leader of Magid Glove and Safety. He was a personable and generous man who worked to keep people safe at work and supported young people in attaining higher education. This scholarship aims to support students working towards a college education with preference towards those interested in the Environmental Health and Safety careers.”

How were you able to secure your scholarship?

“When the Magid site visit came around, I jumped at the chance to go, and expressed a high interest in the community and work they did there. I also got the opportunity to connect with the employees at Magid while learning about their jobs during a career fair. During my application and interview, I was able to leverage this previous visit and exposure. Most of all, I made sure to tell my story and be myself. At my core I am hardworking and a light hearted which I brought into my interview.”

Finally, how has the scholarship impacted your college experience and journey?

“Being a recipient of the Rusty Cohen Scholarship has allowed me to do things I had never thought of before coming to college. I’m a First Generation student, so I had no real reference to the classes I would be taking or what opportunities there would even be on campus for me. This scholarship lifted the financial load significantly on me and my family. With the Scholarship, I’ve had the freedom to explore and take advantage of pretty much all of the opportunities on campus. I joined the Business Club and traveled to Washington D.C and Chicago to learn about different career opportunities which I wouldn’t have been able to without this scholarship. Not only that, but I have been able to allocate more time to my studies and maintain good grades.”

Interested in starting your own scholarship with Chicago Scholars? Reach out to our Director of Scholar Support and Scholarships, Amy Galibois, at agalibois@chicagoscholars.org. Or, want to donate to our larger scholarship funding? Head HERE!

For the past month, we’ve been walking you through the ins and outs of our Scholar Dollars and ELD Grant programs, as well as our incredible Scholarship offerings. This month, we’re bringing you some one on one interviews with scholarship funders and partners, Scholars who have received funding, and more.

We spoke with Andy Duerkop, founder of the Generations Scholarship with Chicago Scholars, around why he chose to work with CS, why founding a scholarship was important for him, and what his experience has been like meeting student recipients over the years.

What was your catalyst for creating a scholarship with Chicago Scholars?

“My wife and I have been very lucky that we had people in our lives who made sure that both of us, as well as our children, were able to attend college. Our grandparents and our parents appreciated the importance of higher education and, early on, established college funds to pay for our family’s college costs.  The Generations Scholarship was named with our parents and grandparents in mind and was created to “pay it forward” so that future recipients will have the opportunity to attend college and, hopefully, will someday be able to help  someone else — a son, daughter, niece, grandson —  also attend college.”

“We were lucky to be able to partner with Chicago Scholars early upon creation of the Generations Scholarship.  Not only were they able to help administer the scholarship but they also had access to the college-bound high school students who were most in need of the funds.  Every step of the way, it has been a true partnership that continues to grow.”

What do you wish people knew about starting a scholarship fund?

“Our biggest obstacle in starting a scholarship fund was finding the bridge between the college funds and the qualified students.  Choosing the scholarship recipient was only half our battle.  After making the award we needed to make sure that there were supports in place to assure that the recipients had every opportunity to be successful and thrive their first year in school.  We were only able to build our scholarship by partnering with Chicago Scholars to be that bridge.”

Finally, is there a story from a scholarship recipient that you often come back to?

“Before awarding a scholarship, we host interviews with each finalist.  Through those interviews we have met some of the most amazing students.  Each one has their own story and each is deserving in their own way of the scholarship funds.  They are tremendous people and we have enjoyed keeping in touch with all of our scholarship winners and celebrating their college successes with them.”

Interested in starting your own scholarship with Chicago Scholars? Reach out to our Director of Scholar Support and Scholarships, Amy Galibois, at agalibois@chicagoscholars.org. Or, want to donate to our larger scholarship funding? Head HERE!

Mosea Esaias (Chicago Scholars Class of 2017, Swarthmore College ’17) is an MBA student at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Booth School of Business is Chicago Scholars’ first graduate school partner.

What do you plan to do after you finish your degree?

My professional background is in political consulting for startups. However, my first-ever professional job was as an intern at a one-room analytics software startup in Chicago the summer after I graduated from high school. I watched with excitement as the company expanded significantly in the ensuing years. Chicago Scholars connected me with this opportunity, and it was my first exposure to the possibilities within venture-backed entrepreneurship.

Upon completing my MBA at Booth, I plan to transition into an investment role within the venture capital sector, leveraging my extensive background with startups. My ultimate goal is to invest at the intersections of societies and markets. I believe in companies with a clear value proposition for shareholders stemming from an expansive view of the social environments in which they operate. I aspire to use the analytical frameworks and leadership skills acquired at Booth to identify and nurture these businesses, building important products and services while driving the economic development of Chicago.

What’s it like to attend Booth School of Business as a Chicago Scholars Alum?

I am from a predominantly Black neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. The University of Chicago is a special place to me, and in many ways I grew up in the backyard of this institution. I share a lot in common with the values of the University, and attending Chicago for graduate school has always felt like a natural next step for my personal and professional development.

Attending Booth as a CS alum is deeply rewarding and fulfilling. It’s a testament to how far I’ve come—from a young person in the heart of the South Side seeking personal development and self-discovery, to now pursuing my MBA at a globally renowned institution. Booth’s commitment to academic freedom and its emphasis on meaningful impact resonate with my own principles and experiences with CS. It’s an empowering experience, and one that constantly fills me with gratitude.

 Do you think your experience as a Chicago Scholar helped prepare you for Booth?

Absolutely-–Chicago Scholars was instrumental in preparing me for Booth. Chicago Scholars focuses on fostering economic mobility, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging. Their goal is to create a dynamic Chicago led by diverse leaders from across the city. The organization provided me with resources, training, and opportunities to successfully apply to college, graduate, and embark on my professional career. My involvement with Chicago Scholars reinforced the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and the value of community—competencies which were indispensable along my journey to business school and beyond.

How do you think the partnership between Chicago Scholars and Booth School of Business will help future Scholars?

Chicago brims with talent and potential. However, many of the city’s youth lack the resources and opportunities needed for higher education and to realize their capabilities. Chicago Scholars is making significant strides to address this challenge. A partnership between CS and Booth has the potential to create a powerful pipeline for Chicago’s young talent to access world-class business education and opportunities. Scholars would benefit from Booth’s rigorous academic environment and its commitment to fostering leadership skills. At the same time, Chicago Booth would benefit from the wealth of insights rooted in the intellectual diversity stemming from its surrounding communities. The symbiotic relationship between Chicago Scholars and Booth can amplify the impact on economic mobility and leadership development, cultivating a new generation of diverse leaders for Chicago and beyond.

What’s your advice to Scholars who are thinking about grad school?

While college enrollments have declined in recent years, particularly among young men of color, higher education remains a critical gateway for opportunity in the United States. My advice is to pursue your passions with perseverance and an open mind. Grad school, especially a prestigious institution like Booth, is not just about academic rigor; it’s also about personal development in preparation for the long-term peregrination through life. Utilize your experiences and the networks you’ve built, like those from CS, to guide your journey. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and never underestimate the value of mentorship and building relationships. With hard work, discipline, and determination, students of all backgrounds can overcome barriers and attain excellence.

What would you say to your Booth colleagues about getting involved with Chicago Scholars?

I would encourage my Booth classmates to get involved with CS and contribute to shaping future leaders from across Chicago. Involvement with CS is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people who are just starting their professional journeys. Whether through mentorship, sharing expertise, or supporting the Scholars’ college application and career transition processes, support for Chicago Scholars perfectly exemplifies Booth’s “pay it forward” mentality. Engaging with CS not only enriches the lives of Scholars but also provides invaluable learning and personal growth opportunities for Booth students. Together, we can help create a vibrant Chicago powered by diverse leaders from every neighborhood.

This piece is part of a series focused on the ongoing debate about the relevance of humanities majors in today’s job market. See recent opinion pieces about this topic here and here.

The humanities consist of disciplines such as history, art, gender studies, music, philosophy, religion, and much more. It fosters critical thinking and authentic appreciation of the human experience. However, institutions have challenged the importance of humanities and cut funds for its development. The humanities are essential to understanding what it means to be human, motivating us to question assumptions about ourselves and the world around us, and encouraging broadening one’s focus to other practical implications.

In my personal experience as a double major in Neurobiology and Philosophy, the humanities have allowed me to grow my interest in self-awareness, such as considering how it can be altered in varying mental states (i.e. emotions). This developed when I was enrolled in my first philosophy class, Philosophy 101. A couple of our discussions revolved around social differences and inequity where minority groups had the space to share our experiences of prejudice. I shared my story as a Latino who grew up in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago and my feelings of being isolated in a predominantly white population at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In spite of this feeling of exclusion, I carry a chain in my bookbag given to me by my grandmother, which allows me to feel a sense of comfort and belonging. This reflection, along with insights from my classmates in Philosophy 101, has driven me to consider how emotions can affect our self-awareness and actions. Hence, I majored in philosophy to further explore my interests from a cultural standpoint instead of limiting myself to STEM.

The humanities disciplines can teach skills that have increased in demand in our evolving workplace. For example, philosophy has encouraged me to engage in public speaking and learn how to communicate effectively. Since joining the McNair Scholars program, I’ve been able to develop my research skills at the Center of Sleep and Consciousness lab. Under the mentorship of Dr. Cirelli, I am contributing to the testing of the SHY hypothesis. We study synaptic plasticity and the changes that occur between sleep and wake. In the lab, I learned how to reconstruct neural cells from 2D images obtained from mice subjects using electron microscopy. Despite facing challenges with effective communication as an introvert, my philosophy courses have offered various opportunities to practice my public speaking and hone my argumentation skills.  This has given me the courage to present my contributions at the University of New Mexico McNair Scholars Conference.

As a third-year student interested in graduate school, philosophy has allowed me to explore the relevance of neurobiological research from an interdisciplinary perspective. For example, my interests in neurobiology are based on consciousness and how altered states of awareness can influence one’s actions. My engagement with the humanities plays a crucial role in expanding the scope of my research interests to other real-world scenarios. Philosophy, with its emphasis on ethics, has provided me with insights on the challenges faced by neurodegenerative disease patients within prisons. This interdisciplinary perspective not only prompts me to question the molecular and structural aspects of neurodegenerative diseases but also the ethical implications within the treatment and care of these patients. I am interested in how we can improve correctional facilities to accommodate neurodegenerative disease patients, and to what extent we can decide if a patient is conscious enough to coexist in our social environment.

The humanities have provided me with a newfound perspective on the importance of learning about human experience and action. Furthermore, it allows me to expand the scope of my research interests to other real-world implications. I would advise other students to engage in the humanities, and institutions to encourage its development.

Learn more about how Chicago Scholars supports students in their college years.

John Garcia, Chicago Scholars Alumni, Former Emerge Intern, Mentor since 2023

Starting this month, in celebration of our new Mentor application opening, we’ll be highlighting some of our current incredible mentors with a new mentor of the month series. Be sure to come back every month to hear their stories, why they decided to become a mentor, and maybe even some special stories of connections with their scholar cohorts that you can only read here.

Our January Mentor of the Month is John Garcia – as a Chicago Scholar alumni himself from the class of 2021, John has been a part of the Chicago Scholars community for years. His transition to mentor in 2023 was the next step in his drive to continue to give back to his community.

“Chicago Scholars has been a huge part of my life since being a scholar myself and I would not be where I am today without the organization. I’ve been a scholar, a peer mentor in college, an emerge scholar, and now a mentor for an amazing cohort of students. I’m driven by the desire to help students who are in the seat I once was, and to give back to the Chicago community that has give so much to me over the years,” said John.

Though John has been part of the Chicago Scholars community since he started as a Scholar in 2018, his journey as a mentor is only beginning – and he has so much more that he’s looking forward to as he helps to guide other Scholars on their path forward.

“I have appreciated the opportunity to grow, teach and learn from our younger Chicago Scholars and I know the impact the organization is able to have on students lives. Being a first generation, low income student, I know the struggles scholars can go through in terms of finances and finding community in campus. If my advice and words can reach even one student, that is a huge success. My advice for anyone, including if I could give it to my former self, would be to always be yourself, keep an open mind, and learn to love and care for the people around you. I would like to show my gratitude to all of Chicago Scholars for their dedication to me and all of the scholars. Thank you and I look forward to continuing my involvement with the community.”

Inspired by John’s story? Head here to learn more about applying to be a mentor! The mentor application is now open to support our new incoming class of Chicago Scholars – head here to check out the application and apply before the deadline on May 3rd!

Show up for Scholars like Rafael by making a gift to Chicago Scholars today! Click HERE to donate.

It is a rare and lucky thing to know what you want to do from a young age. For Chicago Scholar Rafael Mena, Civil Engineering has been his passion from a young age – he even chose his high school with it in mind.  

With advice from his teachers and friends in the program, Rafael joined Chicago Scholars and quickly found value in our college matching program. Not many universities offer Civil Engineering degrees, and even fewer were close to home. But the University of Illinois, Chicago ended up being a perfect fit. “The big thing I learned was that you don’t have to go to the best college, you have to go to the best one for you,” said Rafael.  

Coming into a program that centered a future oriented lens was impactful. It helped to not only think about getting to college but getting the most out of college to best prepare for the professional world. Starting early gave Rafael the time and space to figure out what was best for his future.  

But the transition from high school to college wasn’t easy. College was significantly more rigorous that his high school program and a change in perspective was needed. Rafael realized that having a reason he could return to when times got hard was essential: “I had to learn to ask why? Why am
I doing this? Why do I want to be a construction manager?” The reason was ultimately his family, community, and to build opportunities for those coming in after him. 

Chicago Scholars also pushed Rafael to think outside of his courses to internships and opportunities that would support his professional growth. As a sophomore at UIC, he currently mentors three other students. Showing up is a major theme in Rafael’s story. “I’m here because one day I want to give back to everyone. Chicago Scholars has great mentors and advisors that gave me a lot of opportunities and I want to do the same thing for others. I want to give back to those who helped me, by mentoring at Chicago Scholars. This program really helps minorities that might have not been able to make it otherwise.” 

Along his journey, Rafael had people show up for him and present him with opportunities that he took full advantage of. With those experiences, Rafael now shows up for others and wants to continue to do so.  

I’ve always loved The First Day of School. Everything about it excites me in the most awesomely beautiful way. As a young student, I loved going to Walmart with my mom and sister to pick out brand new school supplies. In the days leading up, I would spend hours organizing my pencil box and backpack, eager to put them to use. I would even try on several outfits to make sure I had the perfect back-to-school outfit. And I looked forward to seeing my friends, meeting new people, and learning new things.  

 When I became a teacher, the first day of school continued to have significant meaning. It was up to me to set the tone for the entire year. During the summer, I would think non-stop about how I wanted to not just create a welcoming classroom, but instill a passion for learning, a love of reading, and a sense of belonging. I still thoughtfully prepared my first day outfit, but instead of buying school supplies for myself, I now shopped for 10 cent spiral notebooks in bulk, collected pens/pencils from anywhere and everywhere, and searched used bookstores for popular young adult lit that I could add to my classroom. When I became principal, I would spend months preparing for the first day. Now, at Chicago Scholars, my first day of school is New Scholar Orientation. And what a first day it was! 

 As my colleague Kim and I walked 550 Scholars of the Class of 2028 and their families over to the auditorium on Loyola University’s campus, I could feel the air buzzing with anticipation. The nervous, yet eager faces, each representing a unique story and journey, began to fill the room. The energy was electric, as if the very atmosphere swelled with the promise of transformative possibilities. I couldn’t help but be swept away by the infectious spirit.  

 One of the things that struck me most was the unspoken sense of unity and shared purpose. Scholars from various backgrounds, neighborhoods, and experiences all gathered together, united by a common goal: to break barriers and create a better future for themselves and their communities. The room itself radiated with the belief that these Scholars were destined for greatness. 

 I had the privilege of connecting with a Scholar named Janeth who is an optimistic, self-taught artist with a passion for literature who dreams of becoming the first person in her family to graduate college. I met Scholar Gabriel, an emergent filmmaker, who I discovered has a talent for storytelling who will one day be a Hollywood director and producer. (Honestly, I saw his movies on Youtube and this Scholar will be a household name in the future.). I talked with Scholar Ahmed, a brilliant student with a heart of gold, who immigrated from Morocco and is already engaged in scientific research towards gene therapy with the hopes of identifying genes that could be edited to cure diseases.  I spoke with Scholar Aniyah, a hardworking student with a part-time job with the White Sox who maintains a high GPA at her school on the south side of the city. When Aniyah described her love of gaming and how she wants to design her own video games in college, I believed she could and that she will. 

 Among the many memorable moments, one stood out as a testament to the incredible strength of empowerment and the sense of belonging. A panel of successful Chicago Scholars alumni took the stage, sharing their personal triumphs, struggles, and the impact they have made since their own days as Scholars. The stories they shared were not just tales of individual success; they were testaments to the transformative power of education and the ripple effect it has on communities. CS Staff member and alumnus Ja’Qwan Hoskins wowed everyone when he shared that he graduated debt free with no student loans. Another CS Staff member and alumna Stephanie Rosado shared a beautiful tribute to her parents and her culture. It was a reminder that every Scholar in that room had the potential to create a lasting impact within their family, neighborhood, and city. 

 Amid all the activities, workshops, and get-to-know-you conversations, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Gratitude for organizations like Chicago Scholars that invest in the limitless potential of these young minds. Gratitude for the unwavering dedication of parents, mentors, counselors, and educators who provide guidance and support. But most importantly, gratitude for the Scholars themselves, who dare to dream big and believe that they have the power to shape a brighter future. 

 After we packed my car, marking the end of the day, I started the commute home with my colleagues Kevin and Miguel. Exhausted after a long day, but filled with indescribable joy, we reflected with one another on the ride home. We shared moments of inspiration with one another and our hopes for the Class of 2028 Scholars. In that moment, I knew that my role as Associate Director of College Counseling and Family Engagement was so much more than just simply helping a student get into college. It was about nurturing dreams, building resilience, and creating a community of change-makers. 

Chicago Scholars, mark my words: these students, these bright minds, are going to change the entire city of Chicago. They will be the ones who create innovative solutions, lead with compassion, and shatter barriers that have held society back for far too long. And I can’t wait to see it happen. They will manifest change and I am here for it.  

The Supreme Court’s decision to effectively end affirmative action will undoubtedly make it more difficult for diversity to shine through at well-renowned universities: They voted 6-3 in the University of North Carolina case and 6-2 in the Harvard case.

This ruling sets America back from decades worth of progress in diversifying college campuses: According to the Department of Education, 37 percent of Black people in the 18-to-24 age range were enrolled in college, and Hispanics made up 33 percent of college students in that age range. In California, where the state affirmative action ban has been in place since 1998, Hispanic students at UCLA and California made up just 21.5 percent of the 2020 freshman class, 29 percentage points below the college-eligible Hispanic population.

In the ruling, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that “a benefit to a student who overcame racial discrimination, for example, must be tied to that student’s courage and determination. Or a benefit to a student whose heritage or culture motivated him or her to assume a leadership role or attain a particular goal must be tied to that student’s unique ability to contribute to the university. In other words, the student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual — not based on race.”

This decision is meant to put parameters around how students discuss any disadvantages they’ve faced in their college applications. But for students of color, it’s almost impossible to discuss the disadvantages one has faced without tying it back to race.

Through housing discrimination, lack of generational wealth, and navigating a world in which the minority body isn’t as valued as white counterparts, the minority experience is embedded in a person from birth.

Race is a significant part of a person’s identity. Affirmative action allowed minority students to receive more of a fair shot of being admitted into college. It allowed colleges to be intentional on diversifying its campuses. It ensures that underrepresented students are given an opportunity. Focusing solely on one’s test scores and GPA ignores the context of the individual.

Even more alarming, standardized tests inherently disadvantage Black and brown individuals because they lack access to test prep, attend lower-performing schools, and often aren’t given the opportunity to take advanced coursework to better prepare them for the exams.

Take me, for example. I was a solid student at Westinghouse College Prep. It’s a reputable school, but I wasn’t at the top of my class and suffered from test anxiety, so my SAT scores didn’t reflect my ability.

I transferred to Westinghouse during my sophomore year to have access to the advanced placement courses and extracurriculars that universities look for — not every student is afforded the luxury of being able to transfer. In doing so, I struggled to keep up during my sophomore year — which was an anchor to my GPA.  I didn’t shy away from my identity and experiences throughout the college application process. My Chicago Scholars counselor, Monique Moore, encouraged me to talk about my sophomore year, which saw my grades fall from 3.8 my freshman year to much lower, and to not run from that year.

I probably wouldn’t have been admitted to Knox College if it wasn’t for the school looking at every part of my identity, not just my GPA and test scores. Changing the paradigm would have significantly hurt my chances. I didn’t hide the fact that I would be a first-generation college student coming from a single-parent family.

“The admissions rubrics they have constructed now recognize that an individual’s ‘merit’ — his ability to succeed in an institute of higher learning and ultimately contribute something to our society — cannot be fully determined without understanding that individual in full,” Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said after the ruling.

The ban prevented diversity from occurring at private institutions, which hurts the college process for every student involved.We learn from those who come from different backgrounds. Being exposed to different people from different cultures is paramount to your growth as a student and person.

Knox was a very diverse school: The opportunities to learn about my friends and classmates culture’s was eye-opening. I have never traveled outside of the United States, so hearing about one’s culture and attending dance performances during the college’s International Week was beneficial and enriching to my educational experience.

That experience wouldn’t have been possible without race being part of the calculus in the decision process. The ruling won’t end Affirmative Action, but it will make diversity at colleges and universities tougher to achieve.