What is your hometown? Baldwin Park, CA

What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? Mt. San Antonio College - A.A. Social and Behavioral Science
CSU Los Angeles- B.A Sociology
CSU Northridge - M.A. Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

What motivated you to go to college? I know I wanted to make a difference within my community and I knew in order to do that for myself I needed an education.

Describe your college experience as first-generation. My experience as a first-gen student was difficult at times, I had no one to help me navigate through the college experience, from filling out the admissions application to applying for financial aid. I did not have anyone to provide guidance, I had to learn everything on my own.

What unique challenges did you face? Some of the challenges I face are managing working full time and going to school. I did not have the option to just go to school, I had to also support myself, from paying rent to putting food in my mouth. I also had difficulty seeking help when needed.

How did you overcome those challenges? I knew that when I enrolled in school, I was going to dedicate myself to it and it was not an option to drop out. I decided to put my schooling first and I knew I was going to have to work harder for that.

What did you advise other first-generation students? Learn how to manage your time and set time aside for your health. Connect with the campus, counselors, mentors, and other students. Apply for as many scholarships as you can.
And don't forget, education is something no one can take away from you.