In the final episode of our three-part series Making It Out, we sit down with Mia Velasco (T’28), a first-year student at Duke, to discuss her transition from a central New Jersey public high school to life on East Campus in Durham, North Carolina. Mia takes us through her college application journey, breaking down the financial realities of choosing a school as a low-income student. She challenges common myths about affordability and shares what truly influenced her decision. We also explore her experiences with FOCUS clusters, service-learning classes, and her perspectives on access to higher education for first-generation, low-income students. Tune in for an honest and insightful conversation about what it really takes to make it out—and make it work.
Listen To Episode 7
Audio Transcript
Guest
- Mia Velasco is a first-year student from Central Jersey potentially majoring Public Policy with a minor in Education and a planned certificate in Health Policy or Program 2. She is passionate about educational and healthcare reform specifically for low-income communities. Currently, she serves as an intern in the Duke University Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards and as a tutor in Leap2School. She plans to further learn how low-income communities are formed and why they have limited access to education and healthcare. In her free time, Mia enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her dog Duke. An avid crocheter, she has a small business through which she aims to spread awareness for healthcare access through her creations, which include stuffed animals and clothing.
RESOURCES
THANK YOU
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Sachelle Ford and Jenny Wood Crowley from the Office of Undergraduate Education- Intellectual Community department, for supporting this project from the start.
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Catherine Angst and Gabie Stanfield for licensed music.