Sekou

I’m Sekou, from the Bronx, and I’m in my second year at Lehman College. College has been up and down. Freshman year was all about finding my footing, and this year I’m focused on pushing my GPA higher.

I first connected with uAspire through my high school; our counselor had seniors sign up. My uAspire advisor, Leah, checked in regularly, exactly when I needed it. She sent FAFSA reminders and scholarship leads, asked to see my class schedule, and talked me through things I didn’t even know how to start, like pursuing an income adjustment when my situation changed. It wasn’t just paperwork help. It was someone asking, “How’s school going?” and then giving me real steps to move forward.

As a first-generation student, there’s pressure to set the tone for my family, but I’m used to pressure from playing basketball my whole life. uAspire’s support kept me motivated on the tough days and reminded me I’m not doing this alone.

I haven’t declared a major yet, thinking psychology or something in sports medicine, but I’m working toward landing an internship soon and building the experience that will lead to a full-time role. My goals are clear: pick a path, stay patient, and keep growing.

Looking back, uAspire made the process feel possible. Having someone in your corner, checking in, explaining the steps, and believing in you, makes all the difference.