Shaley Lora-Brito '27
Seedworks Scholar.
Shaely Lora-Brito '27 always knew healthcare was her calling, but it wasn’t until she began translating for her mother at doctor’s visits that she realized
the true power of nursing. Now, she’s combining personal experience, fierce independence, and a love for fast-paced environments to build a career where she can be the hope for others that she was for her own family.
She started out shadowing a pediatrician in high school, but craved more direct care. As the go-to medical translator and advocate for her mother, she saw first-hand how critical communication is in healthcare. Drawn to the emergency room, she loves the challenge, the energy, and the opportunity to help a wide range of people.
“I want to be the person I needed when my mom was sick. Nursing gives me the hands-on ability to do that... and more," Lora-Brito says.
Coming from a low-income household and navigating school alone as a first-generation student, the financial aid package made her decision to attend UMass Amherst clear, but Seedworks surprised her with so much more.
Between Seedworks and other scholarships, she was able to buy $1,000 worth of books and materials— costs that would’ve otherwise held her back. She says the access to the Seedworks scholarship "changed her life."
Lora Brito's classes also deepened her respect for the nursing profession, showing her the rigor, intensity, and lifesaving work nurses do daily. She found deep friendships, connection with other students of color, and a safe place to grow.
“Seedworks helped me find my people — and my peace.
—Shaley Lora-Brito '27, Seedworks Scholar