What is your hometown? Upland, CA

What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? Mt. San Antonio College - A.A.
Cal Poly Pomona - B.A. & M.A.
University of La Verne - Ed.D.

What motivated you to go to college? My mother and her struggles to provide daily life essentials while growing up in a low socio-economic immigrant community in Los Angeles. My long journey to the US from Mexico in the 80s. My mother's saying, "we didn't come all this way for nothing," continues to be a catalyst for ongoing development and change.

Describe your college experience as first-generation. Lonely, isolated, disconnected from the campus community (staff, professors, and students), afraid, and introverted. No one to look up to or ask questions, directions, or guidance.

What unique challenges did you face? Economic hardships, food insecurities, and transportation challenges. I couldn't buy books for classes, have reliable transportation, or find a safe and welcoming space to study—English language difficulties.

How did you overcome those challenges? worked 3 jobs; woke up extremely early to take public transportation; tried to meet other students with similar circumstances; however, the challenges continued all the way to my doctorate degree.

What did you advise other first-generation students? Don't be shy; seek and ask for assistance from peers, instructors, mentors, and institutional programs. Find your motivation, inspiration, and goals. Don't give up, and continue your academic and professional goals. Talk to counselors and school personnel you find welcoming, understanding, and willing to listen to you. We all need someone once in a while to give us a hand and a push---and that is okay.