What is your hometown? Los Angeles, CA
What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? Cal Poly San Luis Obispo - B.A. English, Minor in Spanish, Minor in Psychology
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo - M.A. Education Specialization in Counseling and Guidance
What motivated you to go to college? I was born of immigrant parents who sacrificed a lot to provide for my family, we were focused on survival and meeting our basic needs growing up. I was raised in a one bedroom apartment with six sometimes eight people. I focused on education because I did well in it and I learned about the opportunities it could bring to my family.
Describe your college experience as first-generation. My first year in college was the toughest year. I felt very homesick and I didn't feel like I belonged at the university. Half way through, I was ready to step away and return home, but I am very glad I pushed through. I was able to participate in EOP and got connected with advisors and other students with similar backgrounds as me. I learned the campus and got connected, and eventually college became easier to navigate. I started working, got involved and started passing my classes.
What unique challenges did you face? As a first-generation, low-income student, I experienced different obstacles from academic under-preparedness, financial challenges, family, and academic barriers, as well as career indecision. Often times I felt like I didn't belong on campus and would be sent home or teased if I was discovered.
How did you overcome those challenges? I credit a lot of my success to one EOP advisor who empathized with me and believed in me before I believed in myself and helped me in my educational journey when I was ready to step away. She connected me to resources and build community for other students like me to come together.
What did you advise other first-generation students? It is incredibly important to get connected and realize that you share a similar experience to more people than you think. Don’t give up. If at any time you have doubts about your abilities as a student or as an individual, I would love to meet you and be the support you need to help you realize you deserve to be here and you have what it takes to continue being amazing.
