As the first person in her family to pursue a four-year degree, Fatima Meza navigated the college admissions process with the help of her high school teachers. She knew she needed a small, supportive environment to make the most of her college experience. She found exactly that at St. Francis College, within the cohort-based McGuire Scholars Program, which is part of the Kessler Scholars Collaborative.
Fatima felt an instant sense of connection and support when, during her senior year of high school, an admissions officer from the college visited her home to congratulate her on her acceptance, a gesture that was reinforced throughout her college journey by the McGuire Scholars Program. In turn, Fatima has dedicated her own time to helping other students at the college find their own sense of belonging as part of a close-knit student community.
Fatima helped lead the program’s student advisory board, where she facilitated discussions with her peers and provided feedback about the program’s impact. She also helped organize cohort events and activities for scholars to create new memories and build strong relationships, such as a Halloween social, a spring picnic at Brooklyn Bridge Park, and a bake sale to raise money for Memorial Sloan Kettering’s pediatric cancer center.
Mentorship also significantly shaped Fatima’s college experience. During her first year in college, Fatima was mentored by an upper-level scholar in the program who helped her adjust to campus life. That guidance left a lasting impression, inspiring Fatima to become a mentor herself and support first-year scholars through the same kind of challenges she had faced. Fatima shared that she strived to ensure her mentee always felt seen, heard, and empowered.
“I tailored [my actions] to my mentee’s needs,” Fatima said. “For example, I had a mentee who was struggling a bit with her classes. I met with her, and we developed some study plans for her. I also provided her with some study tips that I use personally. It meant a lot to me that I was able to help someone else out the way someone helped me when I needed it.”
“I’m really excited, and I’m also sad, because I’ve been on this campus for the past few years, and I know I’m going to miss it so much. I feel like I’m leaving a piece of my heart here.”
– Fatima Meza
As graduation approaches, Fatima credits her success in large part to the support system the McGuire Scholars Program provided and the encouragement it provided for students to explore new opportunities. Fatima’s eagerness to gain new experiences and participate in extracurricular activities allowed her to grow, lead, and build strong relationships with her peers and the program staff.
Now, she’s preparing to begin a new chapter at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she’ll pursue a master’s degree in nutrition. Her long-term goal is to become a registered dietitian, helping people develop a healthier, more joyful relationship with food, nurturing both their bodies and minds.
As she reflects on her college journey, Fatima knows she will miss the campus community she helped build: “I’m really excited, and I’m also sad, because I’ve been on this campus for the past few years, and I know I’m going to miss it so much. I feel like I’m leaving a piece of my heart here.”