Student Spotlight: Kaina Rivera ’18 (Sociology)

“My upbringing from the Bronx caused me to be passionate about social issues,” said Kaina Rivera, a senior majoring in sociology at SUNY New Paltz and last year’s winner of the Ken Skelton Scholarship for Progressive Social Change. “Many social justice concerns affect my community and the people I love. I want to be able to provide solutions for situations that I have experienced and be able to help the generations to come.”

The Ken Skelton Scholarship was established to support sociology majors engaged in social change efforts—in other words, it was designed specifically to encourage students like Rivera, who has been active in a number of issues throughout her time at New Paltz.  Last year she worked with the campus group Students Against Mass Incarceration (SAMI), which was part of a successful campaign to eliminate the check box on the general SUNY application form that required applicants to report prior felony convictions before being considered for admission. The new policy was implemented in advance of the 2018 admissions cycle. “I am extremely proud to be a part of the group of students who took the initiative to fight for a change that would impact the lives of many in such a positive way,” Rivera said. “Tears came to my eyes the night it was passed.”

That campaign was just one of many issues in which Rivera has been involved.  Before being elected Student Association president this year, she served as the student vice president. Deeply interested in the criminal justice system and social justice issues, she has a minor in Black Studies in addition to her sociology major with a concentration in criminology. “There is so much more work to do,” she said—not just on the continuing “Ban the Box” campaign, but also in support of students “who were impacted by Puerto Rico, those affected by DACA, and much more. These obstacles probably won’t ever end,” she added, “but being able to overcome one shows the power we have, and there’s no stopping me now.”

The Ken Skelton Scholarship was the brainchild of Richard Adler ’77 and Donna Adler ’77, two New Paltz sociology majors who were inspired to dedicate themselves to progressive social change by their professor Ken Skelton.  Richard Adler is a successful attorney who has been at the center of national efforts to protect players, including student athletes, against sports injuries.  Rivera is only the second winner of this scholarship, which is awarded annually to students demonstrating academic excellence and a commitment to social change.

After New Paltz, Rivera is currently considering Ph.D. programs in sociology with a focus in law. “I am a believer that everything starts with education,” she said, “and if I can become involved in a field that allows me to be involved with the youth and law then I’ll be taking all opportunities.”

The more the Ken Skelton Scholarship grows, the more it can support students like Rivera—students who “who excel in their coursework through critical scholarship, superior academic performance, and outside of the classroom through exceptional participation in efforts to foster and advance equality and justice in our world.” If you would like to contribute, you can do so by contacting the SUNY New Paltz Foundation, or by donating directly on the Foundation website.