By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart

If you told “2021 Esper Bausenwein” that in just a few short years, she would be thriving in college, she probably wouldn’t have believed you. She definitely wouldn’t have believed you if you told her that she was a President’s List scholar, Assistant Director of the A to Z Players, Treasurer of the TTRPG Club, a Student Assembly senator, and the recipient of the Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for EOP Student Excellence, the State University of New York’s (SUNY) highest achievement for Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students. 

As she nears the end of her final semester as an Individual Studies: A.S. student, Bausenwein can’t help but marvel at all that she has accomplished at SUNY Broome, but declared: “If I’m allowed to flourish, I will.”

Bausenwein hails from the Kaisertown region of Buffalo, New York. Her formative years were spent with her parents, three brothers, and “a cast of characters” from her extended family. Looking for a change, the Bausenweins relocated to Port Crane. The transition from an urban setting to a  rural community left 13-year-old Bausenwein in a state of profound culture shock. 

“In Buffalo, everything was within walking distance of our house.” Bausenwein reflected. “Then we moved to the middle of nowhere. If we needed something, it was at least an hour’s walk away. When we first moved to the area, we didn’t have a car, so even basic tasks like picking up groceries became a massive project.” 

Life in Broome County was unquestionably difficult for the Bausenwein family. Financial struggles and inadequate housing plagued daily life. Stressors at home bled into the school day.  Though Bausenwein was always a strong student academically, she struggled to maintain friendships with her peers. An admitted “angsty, bossy teenager,” she withdrew from her classmates and slumped into bouts of depression. 

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world. While the confinement of the pandemic posed an immeasurable strain on her family, Bausenwein took solace in her ability to isolate. A surprising perk of the pandemic was the space and time it provided for self-reflection. When in-person classes resumed at Chenango Forks High School, Bausenwein felt open to new relationships, including those through mentorship programs like Binghamton University’s local chapters of Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP). Soon, she spent every free period, study hall, and lunch break with her mentors, building her confidence and banking information on academic planning success, career exploration, and strategies for financial wellness.

In the midst of applying to colleges, the Bausenweins became unhoused. The family temporarily moved into a hotel for a few months, until they were able to find an affordable home to rent. Though Bausenwein had initially set her heart on attending Binghamton University, adding SUNY Oneonta to her college list as a backup, she couldn’t bring herself to complete either application. In a moment of clarity, Bausenwein shifted her attention to her community’s college. 

“I felt overwhelmed by Binghamton and Oneonta’s applications,” Bausenwein explained. “But, I started SUNY Broome’s application process with the attitude that, ‘SUNY Broome won’t tell me no,’ which put me at ease. I kept telling myself that I could start at SUNY Broome and then transfer when life got a little calmer.” 

Understanding firsthand the transformative impact of social workers and counselors, Bausenwein enrolled in the Individual Studies: A.S. program to explore her options and build a transfer path toward future degrees in sociology.

Bausenwein is set to graduate this May. She plans to transfer to SUNY Oneonta.
Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers

Though a natural fit for SUNY Broome’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Bausenwein hesitated and missed the application deadline. In a unique twist of fate, the Educational Opportunity Program had a last-minute opportunity to expand the size of its incoming cohort. Bausenwein met with program director Venessa L. Rodriguez, who immediately noticed her burgeoning potential. Rodriguez enthusiastically welcomed her into the fold, offering access to additional academic, financial, and social support. For the first time in years, Bausenwein could breathe. 

Bausenwein eased into her first semester, focusing on her classes and acclimating to life as a resident in the Student Village. When her roommate introduced her to members of the A to Z Players, she took a leap and decided not to retreat to her room but instead tag along to rehearsal, eventually jumping in to help the crew build the sets. At the end of their season’s performance of “Noises Off,” Bausenwein was surprised, but delighted, to be invited to the cast party. Without realizing it, she had built a close-knit community of friends –something she longed for throughout her high school years. 

After a successful first year, Bausenwein was hired as a peer mentor for EOP’s 2024 Summer Advancement Academy. There, she guided the newest cohort of EOP students as they prepared for the transition to college through a series of workshops, classes, and community-building experiences. Bausenwein was in her element, officially transitioning from mentee to mentor. 

“Serving as an EOP peer mentor was honestly the best thing that ever happened to me,” Bausenwein said. “I felt like a mini-social worker, sharing my knowledge and connecting students to resources. I went from having a quiet existence to walking out of the Student Village and instantly seeing five people that I know. I never thought that I would have that.” 

Bausenwein hit the ground running in the fall of 2024, assuming leadership roles across campus while maintaining a 4.0 average. Most recently, she was selected as a Norman R. McConney Jr. Scholar. This prestigious award recognizes the academic and personal achievements of outstanding EOP students across the SUNY system. 

In her final few months as a SUNY Broome student, Bausenwein balances her wish for time to slow down, while excitedly anticipating her future as a sociology and human services student at SUNY Oneonta. While some might shy away from sharing their personal hardships, Bausenwein views each setback as an example of her resilience and hopefulness.

“I am my adversities,” Bausenwein shared proudly. Every struggle in my life has led me to where I am today – a successful soon-to-be college graduate, just beginning my next academic journey.” 

Learn about the Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY Broome.

Esper Bausenwein with Dr. John B. King, Jr., Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), at the Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for EOP Student Excellence awards ceremony.

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