For our 25th anniversary, we are celebrating the alumni of our program who have continued to make meaningful and positive impacts on their communities long after workshops. Anyone familiar with PeerForward or College Summit is keenly aware of the crucial role our alumni play in our organization. They uplift, energize, and guide Peer Leaders along their path to postsecondary success; they are the role models who prove that college is an option for everyone and there is no limit to their dreams.
Siri Garcia is committed to helping others find their “superpower”. She believes everyone has a skill or trait that gives them a unique perspective on how to approach a problem. She uses her own superpower to create an inclusive work environment for all that enter the largest hospital system in New York City, Mount Sinai.
“My community inspired me to pursue a career in Human Resources. I witnessed so many hard-working parents face workplace injustice with no recourse available to them. My mission is to change the narrative in human resources so that we can better represent and protect Black, Latinx, and other communities of color.”
As a first-generation student, Siri found that earning a postsecondary degree was an “experience I will forever cherish.” Not only did earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Bridgeport boost her confidence, but it also empowered her to believe that she could achieve more. She recently graduated with her Masters in Business Administration from her alma mater, the University of Bridgeport. “This degree is valuable not because of how society defines it but the journey and path I walked just to get here.”
Beyond her career, Siri seeks to continue to inspire first-generation students to pursue a postsecondary degree as a PeerForward Coach-in-Training. She will train and motivate students during the 2021 workshop season this summer, “Students should pursue postsecondary education to receive comprehensive academic and student support. The college experience promotes accelerated learning opportunities and partnerships to advanced work-based learning. As a first-generation graduate, college provided me with the credentials to move along in my career but also in leadership spaces.”
We asked Siri which lessons she’s learned from PeerForward that continues to take with her in leadership and workspaces.
“College Summit taught me to advocate for myself and stand in my truth. I learned that self-advocacy empowers me and helps me make the decisions that are best for me.“
