With a double-major in politics and law and global studies plus a minor in finance, Nilsa L. has a FULL schedule at Bryant University! It’s all to serve this 1,000 Dreams Fund Scholarship recipient’s dream of working in the public affairs or political arena; she wants to be an advocate for others and help them advocate for themselves, too.

What is your professional dream?

After undergrad, I want to further my education by going to graduate school. I am not 100% sure what I will study, but I definitely know that it will fall under the political umbrella (maybe public policy, political science, global affairs, and/or public administration). I want to work in the public affairs/politics space, because I want to help others and advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves — or be the resource for people to get support.

How will you use the 1,000 Dreams Scholarship?

I will use the 1,000 Dreams Scholarship money to pay for my tuition, so I can concentrate on my education and not how to pay for school.

How is this scholarship helping you get closer to your dream?

It is taking off money from my tuition, so I won’t have a big financial burden when getting out of school. My mind can be more focused on helping people instead of worrying about how to pay back loans.

​What advice do you have for other young women who are wanting to pursue their dreams?

Chase your dreams! Never give up! If it’s meant to be, it will be! I want other young women who want to pursue their dreams to know that no matter how difficult things may be, if they fight for what they want, everything will fall into place. Simply chase your dreams and one day you’ll have everything you’ve ever dreamed of — and maybe even more!

​Have you had any setbacks? How did you move past them?

I’ve had setbacks, specifically this year — my freshman year of college. Financing school was so difficult for me and trying to find a way to resolve it was so stressful and draining. I moved past it by accepting my feelings, thinking of the situation as a whole, asking for help when I needed, and finally finding a solution. Now I am less stressed about the financial factor of school. The stress is still there but learning how to control it and take care of my mental health was great for me to succeed and do well in school.

What’s next for you? What is your next goal?

My sophomore year of college is coming up and I have a few goals: continue to make the Dean’s List; join one of the dance clubs at my school; attend board of education committee meetings for my town or the city near my school; volunteer more; and read more than I do now.