UNC is featuring some of this year's first-year students including Arely Patricio, who chose UNC because it would help her fulfill her dream of helping others through nursing. Patricio was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado. The daughter of Mexican immigrants who did not have the opportunity to further their studies, she approached the challenge of becoming a first-generation student with the best attitude.

“My parents have always told me to dream big. And I am not only planning on dreaming. I am planning on achieving,” she said.

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