About
The Uplift Fellowship works to help underserved first-generation and/or low-income (FGLI) high school sophomores apply and get accepted into colleges and universities. We want students to be academically and professionally prepared for their aspiring careers. Our Mentorship Program connects mentees with experienced college student mentors who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise. Through one-on-one mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities, we aim to foster personal and professional growth, helping mentees achieve their goals of pursuing higher education.
We believe that higher education must be more easily accessible.
Our Mission
Our mission revolves around the overarching goal of assisting FGLI students in gaining admission to colleges and universities without an excessive financial burden. The organization recognizes the unique hurdles that FGLI, especially BIPOC, students encounter and strives to level the playing field in higher education.
Our Founders
Ileane Barrera
Ileane is a junior at Columbia University, studying Political Science with a Special Concentration in Public Health. Coming from a family of Ecuadorian immigrants and a single-mother-led household, she has firsthand experience with the educational barriers present in New York State between the city and the suburbs. Aspiring to be a lawyer and a congresswoman one day, she has developed a passion for breaking down the barriers that underrepresented communities face within the legal and educational fields. In her free time, she enjoys running and studying at new cafes with friends.
Our Founders
Patricia Bessie
Patty is a junior at Columbia University pursuing a degree in Political Science with a Special Concentration in Public Health. Growing up in the border town of San Diego, Patricia has witnessed the firsthand impact of immigration issues on families, particularly with her mother unable to cross into the US legally. This personal experience has fueled her aspiration to become a lawyer. Patricia's passion lies in dismantling the obstacles faced by underrepresented communities in both the legal and educational spheres. In her free time, she likes to find new cafes and bookstores in NYC.