Like many first-generation college students, Encarnasion-Sosa found the transition to higher education challenging, he said.
“Being first gen comes with a lot of pressure because you don’t want to disappoint anyone. High school and college are so different, and I didn’t have anyone at home who shared the experience. Failing your first class in college leads you to question, ‘Do I really belong here?’ But last semester had a 3.1 GPA,” he said.
Encarnasion-Sosa rebounded through his resolve and by taking advantage of the supports available at Abington. During his first semester, he would attend classes and immediately head home to Philadelphia, but he quickly made changes to his routine.
“I joined SODEI’s I’m First group for first-gen college students, which made me much more open as a person by meeting other people with the same struggles,” he said.
Later, Encarnasion-Sosa became a student ambassador for SODEI, which involved planning, logistics and collaboration, and the work related broadly to his major. SODEI staff selected him to present at an inclusive leadership conference at Temple University in Philadelphia.
A year ago, he was asked to join the Welcome Peer Leaders, a mentoring and coaching program that pairs first-year students with current students to support their transition. That led to a part-time job in Academic Advising.
“Working in Academic Advising allows me to step into the professional world and help students set up realistic schedules and give them a student perspective and feedback on classes,” said Encarnasion-Sosa, who has also taken on leadership roles in the Latino Student Organization and Brother2Brother.
Mentors have been crucial to Encarnasion-Sosa’s growth, and he said he is grateful to SODEI staff and to Chris Walters, the senior coordinator for the Student Success Office, for their advice and opportunities.
“Chris Walters is always pushing students to be our best,” he said.
Encarnasion-Sosa’s journey at Abington has demonstrated that he can have it all, he said. He opted to go to college near home to save money and to be near his family while developing skills that would advance his career. He advises new students to tackle their fears and challenges by reaching out to the campus community.
“Getting involved can open so many doors and opportunities. It helped me academically and with adjusting to college life. Make sure you meet with your advisers because they will push you to be your best,” he said.
About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 25 majors, accelerated master’s degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.