What is your hometown? Santa Ana, CA
What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? UC Irvine -B.A. in Sociology and B.A. Criminology, Law and Society.
CSU Long Beach- M.S. in Counseling with a specialization in Student Development in Higher Education.
What motivated you to go to college? What motivated me to pursue a college degree was the power of “la chancla.” All kidding aside, I was a late bloomer in terms of my educational aspirations. While my high school grades were good enough to directly apply to a four-year university, there was nothing remarkable about my academic record. In the beginning of my senior year of high school, I really didn’t see any other path to take after graduation. So I took a leap of faith and decided to apply to CSU Fullerton and UC Irvine. I vividly remember speaking to my parents about the application process, and was met with encouragement clouded by confusion, uncertainty, and anxiety. Despite their lack of a formal education and not knowing the steps I needed to take to obtain a college degree, they knew that the social and economic mobility that a college degree provides was worth the pursuit. My parents never forced me to go to college, but they did challenge me to become a better version of myself. Although my journey was filled with many academic, financial, social, and personal barriers I stepped up to the challenge to make my parents proud.
Describe your college experience as first-generation. As a first-generation college student, I know that navigating higher education is not easy. Reflecting on my personal experience, I had several moments of stress, anxiety, and personal doubts. I struggled to find my community, choose my classes, and I didn’t even know where to buy my textbooks. But before long I started to hit my stride. I discovered subjects I was passionate about, I established connections with my peers and I went on to establish the career that I dreamed of in higher education.
What unique challenges did you face? Some of the challenges I faced while pursuing my college education included:
1) Lack of college readiness
2) Financial barriers
3) Social isolation (from my family and friends from my neighborhood)
4) Lack of self-esteem
How did you overcome those challenges? It took the support of my parents and mentor Dr. Juan Francisco Lara to help to reflect on my strengths, abilities, and knowledge to overcome my own doubts. Oh yeah and a lot of studying. 😁
What did you advise other first-generation students? Remember, being the first in your family to attend college can be challenging, but it's also a rewarding and exciting experience. You're not alone in this journey, and there are plenty of resources available to help you succeed. Here are a few more tips to help you along the way:
1) Identify your campus resources: And when you do, use them! It's common for first-generation students to feel out of place in higher education. So, don't hesitate to use the resources available to you on campus.
2) Find a mentor and other first-generation students to connect with: Having someone who can guide you through this journey can be very helpful.
3) Build a support system: It's important to have people around you who understand and support your journey.
4) Believe that you belong: Overcoming the "imposter syndrome" is crucial. You've earned your place in college just like everyone else.
5) Always advocate for yourself: Be relentless in getting the answers you need and the support you deserve.
6) Ponte Las Pilas: No matter how much self-doubt you may have, with hard work, dedication, and commitment you can get through anything. You got this!
