Mariangelis Gonzalez '23
First Generation Scholar
Rochester native Mariangelis Gonzalez is an active member of the campus community and feels “thankful” to be a part of the First Generation Scholarship Program. The School of the Arts graduate is exploring Fisher’s biology, Spanish, and political science programs.
Outside of the classroom, Gonzalez is a member of the Student Government Association, Fisher CRU, the Latino Student Union, Pre-Health Club, and Political Action Club. She is also an active volunteer at the American Red Cross and her church.
Gonzalez says that the First Generation Scholarship Program provides opportunities to develop as a leader and be a part of something larger than herself. In her first semester at Fisher, she has already met “amazing people,” and feels supported by the Fisher and “First Gen Family.”
Destiny Ford
First-Generation Student and Nursing Major
An alumna of the Rochester City School District, Destiny Ford was attracted to Fisher for its reputable nursing program, strong first-generation program, and the size of the campus and classes.
As a Fisher Urban Scholar, she noted that her favorite spot is the Scholars Lounge where students can interact with each other and complete their homework together. Committed to completing her service hours, she also joined the Black Student Union.
Riley Rease
Finance Major
As a member of the men's soccer team, Riley Rease has been quite busy during his time on campus. While he found Fisher through his soccer, his visit to campus sealed the deal.
He hopes to become involved in the business clubs at Fisher, perhaps one day serving in a leadership position in those clubs. He also plans to provide service to the surrounding community to help kids who may be struggling; he says he was once there and would like to give others a helping hand.
When asked whether he would recommend Fisher to others, his answer is unequivocally “yes.”
Sophia Sportelli
Service Scholar and Inclusive Childhood Education and Biology Double Major
When Sophia Sportelli first toured Fisher, she noticed the welcoming community, and she said she liked the idea of a smaller school so she could build relationships with her professors. And that’s exactly what she has done!
As a Service Scholar, she made immediate friends and connections with the faculty, whom she also said are always available to help. For her, Fisher “feels just like home and the community is absolutely amazing.”
Ranita Williams ’20
Inclusive Adolescence Education
For Ranita Williams ’20, St. John Fisher College is all about family. Her grandmother attended Fisher in her late 40s, earning a degree in education, and often brought Ranita to campus with her.
“My grandmother loved Fisher and Fisher accepted her with open arms. I knew I could feel the same Fisher family love that she once felt and still feels,” Ranita recalled. “I knew here I could begin to cultivate myself to become not only a better person but a better leader in the world.”
For Ranita, developing as a leader means diving head first into student life on campus. She was president of the Class of 2020, the recruitment and retention leader for the Commuter Council, and was a member of the Orientation team. That’s all in addition to pursuing a degree in inclusive adolescence education with a concentration in American studies.
With her passion for student life, it’s no surprise that her favorite spot is the Campus Center.
“It’s where everything happens. It’s where your friends meet up, it’s where you find out about events, it’s where you meet new people and find new clubs,” Ranita explained. “In a way, the Campus Center is almost the heart of the campus, because without it Fisher would not be the same.”