Senior Studying Psychology
Illinois College
Peer Mentoring Program
This narrative recounts a meeting with the Siragusa Family Foundation, featuring Ray Martinez, a senior studying psychology at Illinois College. Ray has been involved with the ACI Peer Mentoring Program and TRIO as both a mentee and a mentor, and he is also part of the Co-Pilot program.
Coming from Texas and transitioning to a Hispanic environment made being away from my family challenging. I found myself in a completely new setting with people I had never met before. Not a day went by without my mentor, Carlos, checking in on me. He was from Chicago! He would regularly ask about my well-being and how my classes were going. We developed a strong bond throughout this experience.
I was part of the first class in the Mentoring Program, and we formed a tight-knit group from the beginning. It’s incredible to see how the program has expanded since then. During my freshman year, I faced financial difficulties that made it hard for me to return to campus after visiting Texas. The cost of the tickets was quite high, and my parents were also struggling. I learned about an emergency fund and wondered if it could help cover my transportation costs. I was relieved when they said ‘Of course! We need to get you back to campus!’
Once I returned, I immediately got back to work. As part of ACI, I had the opportunity to represent Illinois College in Chicago. Coming from Texas, I was enthusiastic and ready to make the most of it! I got dressed in my suit, and when I arrived, I was greeted by a large crowd. Right away, I started making connections with people who shared similar backgrounds—many were low-income, first-generation students. It’s inspiring to see what they have accomplished; they are now successful business professionals. I want to follow in those footsteps; I aspire to help others and make a positive impact in my life and the lives of others.
ACI has helped me not only as a mentee but also as a mentor, enhancing my leadership skills on campus. Over time, freshmen began approaching me for guidance. This experience was fulfilling, and I discovered my desire to be a leader who helps others. It all started with ACI. I was even able to attend a few board meetings with the Board of Trustees. “ACI helped me grow, and I’m so thankful for that!”