In seventh grade, Nicole Vega ’26 MSW was often absent from school and struggled with behavioral challenges. At home, her mother was bedridden, and as the youngest child, Vega took on caregiving responsibilities.

Despite these challenges, she excelled academically. When a principal recommended transferring her to an alternative school, a counselor intervened—advocating for Vega to stay.

That moment would shape her future.

A lifelong resident of Waterbury, Connecticut, Vega grew up in a Spanish-speaking household. Her mother, a first-generation Puerto Rican who moved to the U.S., and her father, an immigrant from Colombia who recently became a U.S. citizen, instilled in her a strong sense of resilience.

Vega didn’t begin learning English until preschool. Now 31, Vega is a mother to a two-and-a-half-year-old son and works full time for the Department of Children and Families. On May 9, she will graduate with a Master of Social Work through the Connecticut ¡Adelante! Scholars Program—part of the program’s largest cohort to date. The program offers MSW students bilingual Spanish/English clinical training to address the growing need for Spanish-speaking social workers in Connecticut.

Our CT ¡Adelante! Scholars . . . bring lived experience, cultural knowledge, and a deep commitment to serving their communities—qualities that will make them impactful leaders in the social work profession. — Milagros Marrero-Johnson, UConn School of Social Work

“We’re so proud of our CT ¡Adelante! Scholars, many of whom have overcome significant challenges to be in the program,” says CT ¡Adelante! Scholars Program director Milagros Marrero-Johnson, senior director of strategic initiatives and community engagement at the UConn School of Social Work. “They bring lived experience, cultural knowledge, and a deep commitment to serving their communities—qualities that will make them impactful leaders in the social work profession.”

The counselor who once advocated for her is a driving force behind Vega’s decision to pursue social work.

“In high school, I always wanted to help people be successful and reach their full potential,” Vega says. “I knew people had the ability to do well—they just needed extra support. As a social worker, I want to connect people with resources, educate them, and advocate for them.”

As an ¡Adelante! Scholar, Vega found a sense of belonging among a cohort of bilingual Latino and Hispanic students she describes as a “community and family.”

“At first, I felt very Americanized, but this group helped me reconnect with my cultural identity,” she says. “My son is Puerto Rican, Colombian, Mexican, and Dominican, and I want him to embrace and love every part of who he is.”

Through these connections, Vega also strengthened her Spanish-language skills, particularly terminology relevant to social work practice.

After graduation, Vega plans to continue her work with the Department of Children and Families while pursuing advancement opportunities, with the goal of becoming a supervisor.

“I want to make a difference—whether big or small—and support families,” she says.

Jeimy Tiga Segura
Seven years ago, Jeimy Tiga Segura ’26 MSW arrived in the United States from Colombia with a clear goal: “I wanted to learn English,” she says. “I wanted to become a bilingual teacher.”

Tiga Segura began her journey as an au pair, living with American families for two years and immersing herself in the language and culture while caring for their children. As she prepared to return to teaching, she unexpectedly found a role as a care coordinator serving the Latino community in Norwalk, Connecticut.

“Through this role, I discovered how much I loved serving others—especially my own community,” she says.

While exploring graduate programs, Tiga Segura attended an information session at the UConn School of Social Work. There, Milagros Marrero-Johnson spoke with her in Spanish about the support available to students in the program.

“In that moment, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be—both academically and professionally,” Tiga Segura says. “Having a strong Latino community around me was a major reason why I chose UConn.”

Tiga Segura enrolled in the School’s three-year, part-time Master of Social Work program and became an ¡Adelante! Scholar in her second year, taking courses in both English and Spanish.

“Taking bilingual classes has been an incredible experience,” she says. “I supported my classmates with Spanish, and in return, they helped me tremendously with my English—improving my pronunciation, clarifying concepts, and helping me better understand the culture. We truly cared for one another.”

Now 33 and residing in Stratford, Tiga Segura is a first-generation immigrant, married, and a proud “Husky mom.” She enjoys nature and traveling and has already recommended the ¡Adelante! Scholars Program to colleagues.

“I recommend it because it creates a sense of community, empowers students, and allows us to feel proud of who we are as immigrants,” she says. “To me, this program feels like a home for my people.”

After graduation, Tiga Segura plans to pursue a role as a bilingual clinician, ideally in an intensive outpatient program for adolescents, where she can combine her background in teaching with her social work training.

“I feel honored to say that I completed my master’s degree at UConn and can confidently provide services in both English and Spanish,” she says.

Emily Lopez
Emily Lopez ’26 MSW has always understood the power of language, community, and access.

A 27-year-old Latina, bilingual, and first-generation student, Lopez was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, in a family with roots in Guatemala. Spanish was her first language, and with support from her older brother, she developed both her Spanish and English skills early.

“Being bilingual has always been a core part of who I am,” Lopez says. “It continues to shape both my personal and professional life.”

Lopez did not begin her college journey in social work. Initially a political science major, she quickly realized the path wasn’t the right fit. It wasn’t until a career fair introduced her to the field that something clicked.

“Growing up in an underserved community, I saw firsthand how limited access to resources and support can impact individuals and families,” she says. “That inspired me to pursue social work—to provide direct support while also advocating for systemic change.”

While researching graduate programs, Lopez discovered the UConn School of Social Work and the Connecticut ¡Adelante! Scholars Program. Its focus on supporting bilingual and bicultural students immediately stood out.
“I hadn’t seen a program like this at other schools,” she says. “I knew it would help me grow professionally and give me a strong sense of community.”

As an ¡Adelante! Scholar, Lopez found exactly that—mentorship, financial support, and a network of peers with shared experiences and goals.

“One of the most meaningful aspects has been being part of a cohort where I felt seen and supported,” she says. “I also gained confidence using Spanish in clinical and professional settings.”

This spring, Lopez will graduate with her Master of Social Work and plans to sit for the LMSW exam at the end of May. She has also recently been promoted to a full-time role as a family support specialist at a nonprofit agency in New Haven, working with children and families.

“I’m excited to continue working in underserved communities and use my bilingual skills to help bridge gaps in access to care and resources,” she says.

The other graduating ¡Adelante! Scholars are Jashleen Abreu Flores, ’26 MSW; Lucas Daniel Amestoy, ’26 MSW; Jaileen Bedoya, ’26 MSW; Glendaly Bermudez, ’26 MSW; Kayla Cruz, ’26 MSW; Gerardo Enriquez-Rivera, ’26 MSW; Stephanie Escobar, ’26 MSW; Daniel Gutierrez, ’26 MSW; Shayla Lindo, ’26 MSW; Raynia Martinez, ’26 MSW; Viviana Mora, ’26 MSW; Andres Pacheco, ’26 MSW; Kimberly Rios, ’26 MSW; Jazmine Silva, ’26 MSW; Maricielo Valencia, ’26 MSW; and Alejandra Vazquez, ’26 MSW.

Watch the NBC CT stories, in English and in Spanish, about Connecticut ¡Adelante!

View additional photos below: (Photos by Kimberly Rios and Alejandra Vazquez)