Lis Mondaini, a newly graduated Social Communication graduate, became the 100th graduate of the UNR's rEGRESAR program.
With the excitement of dreams coming true, the rEGRESAR Program launched by the Universidad Nacional de Rosario celebrates an achievement that confirms that second chances are worth it: thanks to this initiative, 100 people have now managed to complete their university studies after having interrupted their studies and are now once again investing in public education.
Every degree earned is much more than an academic achievement: it's a life story that takes on new meaning. Behind every diploma are journeys marked by challenges, forced breaks, family or work responsibilities, but also by the persistent desire to finish what was once started.
The rEGRESAR Program, the only one of its kind in the country, offers academic and administrative support to those who, due to various life circumstances, have had to abandon their university studies at some point. It also builds a support network that allows them to transform past disappointments into motivation to achieve their dream of becoming a professional.
“It's an unprecedented program in the country, which aims not to wait for someone who decides to return, but to seek out and accompany those who left for whatever reason so they can finish their degree and fulfill their dream. It's a proposal that contributes to the goal of raising the graduation rate we're working toward, but one that demonstrates that UNR is not indifferent to what happens to its community. There's a deep conviction about what education produces in each person, and if we can make an effort to make the dreams placed in our institution come true, we must do so. I want to thank the academic teams at UNR and each Faculty that makes this possible, but most importantly, those who decided to return because of this proposal. It's not easy to make the decision to return, to return to studying; when someone does, they leave a powerful message that spreads to others: it's never too late, we're always on time. These first 100 stories demonstrate this,” said Rector Franco Bartolacci, highlighting the impact of this initiative, which UNR launched in mid-2023.
Bartolacci also highlighted the university community's "sensitivity" in making such a proposal possible and the way it addresses the challenges it faces. "These stories should be a message for our community and for those who are still unsure. For those who haven't enrolled yet, let them know that it's possible, that it's not too late, and that UNR has a platform that will help them complete it. For our community, because it confirms that this is the path. A sensitive and attentive institution that supports its community, also with a transformative vocation."
In mid-September 2023, rEGRESAR experienced its first unforgettable moment: Agustina Mazza and Mauro Arias became the program's first two graduates, fulfilling their dream of graduating as architects just a few days apart. Today, Liz Mondaini became the XNUMXth graduate, less than two years after the start of this innovative program.
Lis is 41 years old and the mother of two children. Twenty years ago, she began a Bachelor's degree in Social Communication, but due to various circumstances, she had to abandon her studies in the final stages of her degree. She currently works at the Rosario Municipal Publishing House and focuses on editorial design. Her mentor within the program was Professor Eric Monetti, who accompanied her on her return to UNR.
Romina Pérez, Secretary of the Academic and Learning Department, emphasized that a program like rEGRESAR, which covers all undergraduate programs at one of the largest universities in the country, UNR, is unprecedented. “It is a great satisfaction to reach the first 100 graduates of the program. We were able to personally support XNUMX individual careers from the different departments, ensuring that each graduate feels that the University is a place they can always return to, a place they can always be.”
Return to University
The first round of applications for this program was a resounding success, with students from all of the University's faculties writing to express their desire to return to school to complete their studies. This achievement was reflected in the graduation of many of them, who finally obtained their long-awaited degrees, marking the end of a long academic career filled with effort and dedication.
“I left college due to life’s twists and turns. I think I took my last subject in 2012. rEGRESAR is definitely a great program because you feel supported throughout the entire process, and it helps you overcome many of the doubts and fears that develop over time. I’m so happy to have returned to the University,” said an excited Liz Mondaini.
“I needed to close a chapter, to conclude so many years of study and effort. I couldn't leave unfinished a university degree that I loved and enjoyed studying, that gave me my best friends and also my husband, the father of my children. Doing so was proving to myself and my children that I was capable of achieving my goal,” shared Estefanía Debay, who recently graduated with a degree in Social Communication twenty years later, with three young children and a life built in Portugal.
Agustina Mazza, an Architecture graduate, revealed her motivations for enrolling, expressing: “What prompted me to make this decision was that, in reality, I had nothing to lose. With only one subject pending, I wanted to exhaust all the possibilities at my disposal.” The publication of the launch of the program became a hopeful sign for her, catalyzing the fulfillment of her dream after five years of postponement: “I always left that last subject for later, and it would have been much more difficult for me to make the decision to apply. to perform.”
“I always wanted to finish my degree and consolidate my self-esteem. I went to a country where education is fully paid for, which made me appreciate the tremendous opportunities we have in Argentina, which we often don't realize,” explained Carolina Costa, who in 2012 completed the final subject of her Bachelor's degree in Statistics, but life took her far away: she moved to Chile. Years later, she felt she owed something to the school that had opened the doors to knowledge and personal growth, so she returned to her studies to graduate.
For Hernán Rossi, the story was similar: more than two decades had passed since his last course. “If the University hadn't sought me out, I probably wouldn't have fulfilled my dream,” he said after earning his degree in Social Communication.
“I enrolled in the program because my son, who is studying engineering, enrolled me. It was a real pain point, and I'm very happy to have been able to graduate after so many years,” said Ricardo Peralta, a newly certified public accountant who earned his degree more than ten years after passing his last subject.
The rEGRESAR program demonstrates that it's never too late to return, that every journey is unique, and that the University must continue to open its doors to those who, for various reasons, were unable to complete their studies in the past. None of this would be possible without the commitment of tutors and professors, who accompany each step of this journey with empathy, dedication, and respect. Because behind every degree is a story that deserves to be told and celebrated. UNR is much more than a university: it's a place where public education takes on its full meaning, transforming stories, opening paths, and demonstrating that it's never too late to dream again.
Journalist: Gonzalo J. García / Photographer: Camila Casero.