Graduating Senior with Big Dreams Grateful for Donor Support
Rutgers–Newark graduate with plans for a law career says donors to university programs that support students helped her pursue her dreams.
As she prepares to receive her undergraduate diploma, Beatriz De Sousa Lobo credits Rutgers University and its programs for giving her undergraduate experience “a stronger sense of direction and purpose.”
Becoming involved with the Rutgers Future Scholars, Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC), and the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network Program, all at Rutgers–Newark, exposed De Sousa Lobo to “a wide range of perspectives and ways of thinking about leadership and impact.”
De Sousa Lobo says she is grateful to donors who make these programs possible. “Because of your support, students like me are empowered to think beyond limitations, pursue ambitious goals, and create new pathways for our families and communities,” she says. “I’ve also had the privilege of maintaining relationships with donors who have become mentors, offering guidance, encouragement, and insight as I navigate my path toward law school.”
She said those programs were instrumental in her development. “I entered college motivated and goal oriented, but these experiences challenged me to think more intentionally about how to apply my education beyond the classroom,” says De Sousa Lobo, a 2022 graduate of Science Park High School in Newark.
As a Cape Verdean and Brazilian student raised in Newark, De Sousa Lobo says her upbringing played a significant role in shaping her perspective on community, opportunity, and advocacy. She was first accepted into the Newark Rutgers Future Scholars program in the seventh grade. Being part of the program from such an early age allowed De Sousa Lobo to grow alongside the university for nearly a decade, shaping her academic ambitions, leadership skills, and sense of community.
As a first-generation student, she says she plans to prepare for the LSAT and apply to Rutgers Law School in Newark following graduation. “My experience at Rutgers University has shaped my understanding of the common good by encouraging me to think critically about how individuals engage with and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” she says.
As a psychology major and criminal justice minor with a concentration in social justice, De Sousa Lobo has connected academic theory with real-world social issues, particularly those related to systems, behavior, and equity. “I am interested in immigration law and international human rights law because small legal decisions can have a huge impact on individuals’ lives,” she says. “I want to understand the system well enough to navigate it effectively and advocate for people in situations where the stakes are very real.”
BOLD Focuses on Women’s Success
De Sousa Lobo says one of her favorite parts of Rutgers–Newark is being a part of the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network Program. “I believe it is an incredible opportunity to be part of a program that centers women’s success and supports them in achieving their goals,” she says.
Participation in BOLD provided De Sousa Lobo with opportunities to build meaningful connections, engage with professionals in her field, and receive valuable guidance, she says. “As someone without lawyers in my family, having access to mentors who can help guide me through both the legal field and the law school application process has been invaluable.”
She participated in Braven’s accelerator course, part of a partnership between Braven and the BOLD program. Braven’s mission is to empower students with the skills, confidence, experiences, and networks needed to transition from college to the work force and enjoy meaningful careers. Through the program, De Sousa Lobo was partnered with a local attorney, who mentored her, an experience that reinforced her interest in pursuing a career in immigration law.
De Sousa Lobo says she was also inspired by other mentors at Rutgers–Newark, including Jennifer Bucalo, director of the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network and executive director of Strategic Initiatives at Rutgers–Newark, for helping her learn to be more assertive. “One of my greatest challenges was learning how to feel comfortable advocating for myself in professional spaces,” she says. “She taught me how to use my voice effectively, speak with confidence, and trust in my own abilities.”
Bucalo says she was delighted to have Beatriz as part of the BOLD program. “Beatriz exemplifies what the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network program represents, and we are confident that she will represent the next generation of changemakers.”
HLLC Program Benefits Students
Former HLLC Dean Tim Eatman also personally assisted De Sousa Lobo during a period of family hardship. “He was one of the most influential figures during my transition to college, which was particularly a challenging time for me,” she says. “I was navigating significant family difficulties, and he was one of the few individuals who truly recognized what I was going through and offered consistent support.”
De Sousa Lobo’s commitment to serving her community, a core component of the HLLC program, is evident in her extracurricular involvement. In addition to her current internship with the BOLD Program in the Office of the Chancellor at Rutgers–Newark, she interned with a Newark immigration attorney, and served as a bridge coach, supporting Newark high school seniors through the college application process. “It was an incredibly meaningful experience,” she says. “I was able to give back to students who may not have had access to the same opportunities I did.”
Study Abroad Program
Another highlight of her time at Rutgers was De Sousa Lobo’s opportunity to study abroad in Rome in spring 2024, made possible by support from the HLLC and the donor-funded Rutgers Future Scholars Propel Fund. “Throughout the experience, I developed a greater sense of independence and personal growth,” she says, adding that she did not know anyone else in the program and met lots of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
In addition to taking psychology and other core classes, she traveled to 12 countries, including France, Portugal, Romania, Greece, Hungary, and her favorite country, Spain. De Sousa Lobo says she felt at home in Spain because of the language; she is fluent in English, Portuguese, Creole, and Spanish.
Since she was accepted to the Rutgers Future Scholar program in the seventh grade in Newark, De Sousa Lobo says she always “felt at home” at Rutgers–Newark. In fact, she worked with the program as a mentor for a few years. “I wanted to give back to those students in the same way that RFS had such a meaningful impact on my journey,” she says.
Support the Rutgers Future Scholars General Support Fund
Please consider a gift to the Rutgers Future Scholars program to make an immediate difference in the lives of Rutgers students today.
