When Bryan Kongnyu arrived at Cornell University as a first-generation college student from Danbury, Connecticut, he felt overwhelmed by the prestigious Ivy League institution. The Kessler Scholars Program made sure he didn’t face it alone. Program workshops, designed to support personal, academic, and professional growth, along with one-on-one guidance from program staff, were instrumental in helping Bryan succeed throughout his undergraduate journey and prepare him for his future.
“Through the Kessler Scholars Program, I was able to attend workshops to help me toward my career goals, and towards just me navigating college in a safer and better space,” Bryan said, pointing to sessions on financial planning as particularly instructive. “I’m starting to think about life post-grad, and what I’m going to do when I get a job. It was really helpful to learn financial budgeting tips and have community-building workshops to meet other Kessler Scholars, and [to know] that you’re not going through this alone.”
“Through the Kessler Scholars Program, I was able to attend workshops to help me toward my career goals, and towards just me navigating college in a safer and better space.”
– Bryan Kongnyu
For Bryan, the Kessler Scholars Program meant he could always turn to supportive people during difficult times. During his first year of college, he found support through a peer mentor assigned to him through the program, and in turn, he chose to become a peer mentor, assisting two first-year Kessler Scholars navigate through their early college experiences. Bryan said he sought to ensure they stayed on track and felt supported throughout their studies. At the same time, Bryan found that mentoring helped him grow into a stronger leader and communicator, invaluable skills for his own professional development.
The Kessler Scholars Program also supported personal growth in other ways. Bryan participated in a program-led trip to Ghana, an experience that allowed him to reconnect with his Western African roots, having grown up in Cameroon, while forging deep friendships with his fellow Kessler Scholars. As he explored beaches, rainforests, and cocoa farms, and immersed himself in Ghana’s culture, Bryan said he developed a greater appreciation for global interconnectedness, making the experience both memorable and transformative.
Kessler Scholars from Cornell University traveled to Ghana together.
In the final months of his college journey, Bryan also had the opportunity to participate in a retreat that brought together Kessler Scholars from Cornell University and Syracuse University. The event served as a powerful reminder that the college journey does not have to be a solo experience, as he connected with first-generation, limited-income students who shared similar backgrounds and paths to and through college.
“Bonding with the Kessler Scholars from Syracuse was nice – knowing that you’re not going through this alone. Other people in different schools are, you know, going through the same things as you.”
Support from the Kessler Scholars Program also shaped Bryan’s college experience in other ways. When he secured an internship with Amazon after his junior year at Cornell, the program contributed to travel and on-site expenses. This internship experience ultimately led to Bryan securing a full-time job offer.
“I’ll be going back to Amazon after graduation. Without the Kessler Scholars Program, I might not have even gotten the interview,” Bryan said. “They helped me polish my LinkedIn profile and take a professional headshot — all those little things really matter.”