At Convocation, Fernanda Armas, president of the Associated Students of UW Bothell, greeted the first-time college students with advice learned from personal experience. \u201cMake connections and don\u2019t be afraid to rely on others,\u201d she said. \u201cRecognize that you don\u2019t have to face the challenges of college life alone. Lean on your peers, mentors and campus resources.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Armas came to UW Bothell as a first-generation student from Venezuela. She spoke of how she\u2019s changed since stepping foot on campus, echoing Chancellor Esterberg\u2019s earlier remarks to the students that \u201cIf we do our job well, then you are going to be a different person when you leave here than when you started. That is exactly as it should be. That is what higher education is about.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her closing statement, Armas encouraged the students following in her footsteps to be bold but always with respect, to speak up for what they believe in and to defend the values they hold dear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are living in a time when your voice is needed more than ever, and it\u2019s you \u2014 your courage, your passion \u2014 that will shape the future,\u201d she said. \u201cDon\u2019t let fear hold you back, because the change the world needs starts with you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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