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HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS
Meet Melissa Caramago
 The stresses of working a full-time job and going to school can be many, but with the help of several scholarships, affording college wasn’t one of them for Melissa.
A native of Colombia, Melissa came to New York City to earn her undergraduate degree. During that time, she fell in love with the city and said she’s now “here to stay.”
Wanting to advance her career, Melissa decided to go back to school to earn her master’s in construction management, an ideal companion to her current employment with a real-estate developer. NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate was a perfect fit.
Although her company agreed to reimburse a portion of her tuition, she still faced steep debt. Thanks to a scholarship, she was able to make up the difference and also take a larger course load. Melissa also was the recipient of a Women Executives in Real Estate scholarship, allowing her to become involved in the organization, which provides a networking platform for women in the real estate industry.
Melissa said her experience was more enlightening than she could have ever imagined.
“It really opened up the world of real estate for me. I took more than just construction management – structural engineering, real estate law and other courses to broaden my perspective,” she said. “All of our professors are in the industry, so you are learning from people who have valuable experience – architects, cost estimators, and more.”
Her relationship with professors didn’t end at graduation, however.
“It is great that we can keep in touch after we graduate,” she said. “I knew that I was meeting people who could help me in my career. And they have.”
“All of this would not have been possible without my scholarships, and I’ll always be mindful of that,” she added, noting that she plans to support financial aid for future students.
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Meet Alicia Tyree
 As Alicia was preparing for college, she applied to eight different schools. She selected a different major at each one.
This could be credited to an indecisive nature, but for Alicia it meant her interests could not be confined to one area of study. That?s why she decided that NYU?s Gallatin School for Individualized Study was perfect for her.
Ultimately, the breadth of classes and support from advisors helped Alicia narrow her focus to linguistics.
"I always loved studying languages," Alicia said. "I?d taken French, Spanish, Arabic, recognizing the similarities and differences between each. Then I took a linguistics class and kept on going."
Alicia then recognized the importance of learning how to apply her knowledge in a real-life setting. NYU?s extensive study abroad programs provided her with that opportunity?and a generous scholarship enabled her to take advantage of it.
"I wanted to go to Ghana to study linguistics in the field, but I didn?t know how I would be able to afford it," Alicia said. "You need immunizations, malaria pills, airfare, and many other expenses. But when I got my scholarship, I realized that I could do it."
With the help of her scholarship, Alicia was able to engage in an enriching experience at NYU?s study abroad site in Ghana.
"It was so wonderful," she said. "My study abroad trip enabled me to use what I learned in the classroom while in the field, and to actually see the work that linguists do in real life. It prepared me for my future in ways I never thought possible."
"I am so grateful for my scholarship," she added. "It has opened up the world to me."
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Meet Cesar Francia
 Cesar embodies the NYU global experience. Born and raised in Venezuela, he spent his first semesters at NYU's study abroad sites in Florence and Prague before arriving at Washington Square, all in preparation for his future career in international public service.
"I had been enjoying my experience, but the cost and all of my loans were always in the back of my mind," Cesar said. "It bothered me that I could not get loans in my name instead of my parents'. They have already done so much to bring me to this point, and I want it to be my responsibility. Now, because of my scholarship, I can enjoy my experience and not worry about those burdens."
He since has spent another summer in Prague, where he worked as a Resident Assistant. All these worldly experiences made possible by the Reynolds Foundation Program Fellowship are vital for Cesar’s career goals, he said.
When he's not in class or working at one of his part-time jobs on campus, Cesar demonstrates his commitment to public service by taking on numerous volunteer opportunities. Once a month, he helps manage a local homeless shelter.
"It is an amazing experience. These people are at risk every day. This is their only shelter. They are so thankful for what we do for them," Cesar said. "The experience of helping others and seeing the impact of my volunteering first-hand has really made me realize that this is what I want to do with my life."
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Meet Kalshelia Lloyd
 When Kalshelia first came to New York, she worked in finance. That field didn't satisfy Kalshelia's creative side, though.
She decided a career shift to marketing would be a better way to combine creativity and business savvy, so she decided to pursue an MBA. NYU was her top choice.
Kalshelia took a part-time job when she arrived at NYU to help pay for tuition, but it compromised her academic experience. When she had first visited an NYU diversity-recruiting event, she could sense a close-knit community, but a job gave her no time to take advantage of it.
"It severely limited my opportunities to network with other students and faculty and to take advantage of groups and organizations," she said. "I realized I needed to make the most of this experience. I'm never going to have it again. My scholarship gave me the ability to study full-time and immerse myself completely in NYU."
As a graduate student, Kalshelia said being involved in the campus community isn't as easy as for undergraduates. Now that her scholarship has provided her more free time, she said she's happy to put in the effort.
Kalshelia is taking out loans to help bridge the gap not covered by her scholarship and has gotten involved as a student leader.
"I am vice president of the student marketing association, and I volunteered with an organization that helps people with disabilities enter the workforce," she said. "It has been one of the most rewarding parts of my experience at NYU so far."
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Meet Marissa Maislen
 An aspiring dancer, Marissa knew that New York was the only place she wanted to be.
When the Seattle native is not rehearsing, which is seldom, she takes advantage of the city's offerings, including the New York City Center and the New York Ballet.
Marissa's father was in a car accident her freshman year, and his inability to work – and the endless medical bills – severely compromised her family's economic situation. Marissa was daunted with the thought that she may not be able to afford her studies.
To help make ends meet, Marissa works backstage during performances and at the reception desk in her residence hall.
"My family always said they would make sure things would happen for me," she said. "But I knew that it was a great burden. The scholarship made me feel at ease. When NYU gave me a scholarship, it made me believe they wanted me to go here and to have this chance."
Since receiving her scholarship, Marissa has since been able to settle in and truly enjoy the NYU community.
"There is a wonderful family, a wonderful community at NYU. In my program, we spend so much time together. We are all in classes together, learning from one another," Marissa said. "I feel grounded as a dancer now. I can't wait to get to the studio every morning. For me, dancing is not 'class.' It is what I do for a living. It's my life."
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