What is your hometown? South Gate, CA

What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? Mt. SAC AA Social and Behavioral Sciences
CSULA BS Rehabilitation Services
CSULB Masters in Counseling; Student Development in Higher Education
CGU Ph.D Education; Higher Education and Student Affairs ( Coming soon)

What motivated you to go to college? Honestly I came to college to prove to my mom that I would not get a good job but then it turned into wanting to serve my community.

Describe your college experience as first-generation. I was challenging and daunting but I believe because of mentorship and starting at Mt. SAC it became possible to reach my goals.

What unique challenges did you face? I think not having anyone to turn to for questions and felling out of place. I also am formerly incarcerated and in recovery which I believed added to this sense that I do not belong or that I am not supposed to be here. I also was a 3x high school drop out so I had to start from the bottom and work my way to where I am today.

How did you overcome those challenges? I think I listened to mentors and always asked questions. Most importantly no matter how I felt I just kept moving forward.

What did you advise other first-generation students? Find someone whose belief in you scares the heck out of you and hang on to them no matter what. There will be many people along your journey that will be there to clap for you and cheer you on so find them. But one person on this journey will tell you can accomplish great feats so if you can believe in that believe that they do and trust them.