Riane’s journey to and through college has been shaped by resilience and a deep desire to serve others. Graduating with honors from Marquette University with a double major in social welfare and justice and sociology, she’s now taking the next step in her path: pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
“As a first-generation student, my journey wasn’t easy,” Riane reflects. “I faced language difficulties, financial stress, and the pressure of navigating systems no one in my family had experienced before. But I kept going, not just for myself, but for my family and for the people I want to serve one day.”
Riane’s college journey was defined by both academic excellence and deep community engagement. One of her proudest accomplishments was serving as a resident assistant for Umoja, a Marquette Living Learning Community.
“Umoja means ‘unity’ in Swahili, and that’s exactly what we built,” she says. “I had the privilege of creating welcoming spaces, mentoring residents, and organizing our first formal cultural dinner. It was a powerful reminder of what a community can look and feel like.”
Now, Riane is continuing her education with the goal of working in a hospital setting, supporting patients and families through illness, trauma, and life’s most difficult transitions. In the long term, she dreams of creating systemic change, particularly by expanding access to mental health care and building stronger networks of support for vulnerable populations.
Throughout her journey, College Possible has been a constant source of support.
My coach wasn’t just there for academics—they were there emotionally, too. They reminded me that I belonged, even when I doubted myself,” Riane says. “College Possible gave me the confidence to speak up for myself and the resilience to keep going.”
To future College Possible students, she offers advice rooted in lived experience: “Be patient with yourself. Build your support system. You don’t need to have it all figured out—but don’t forget that you belong in these spaces. You’re more capable than you think.”
