What is your hometown? Anaheim, CA

What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? UC Los Angeles- B.A. Sociology Minor Chicano/a Studies
Layola Marymount University- M.A. Guidance & Counseling
University of Southern California- Ed.D. Higher Education Leadership

What motivated you to go to college? Growing up in a low-income household motivated me to go to college. I wanted to be able to provide for myself, help my parents out and eventually start a family. I knew that without an education, I would always struggle and I didn't want that for myself.

Describe your college experience as first-generation. It was scary not knowing if I was going to be able to make it. At times I felt like I did not belong.

What unique challenges did you face? The biggest challenge for me was that my parents did not understand why I wanted to go away to college. I felt that I betrayed my family by not working and moving away instead. In addition to feeling like my family did not support my choice to go to college, I struggled with finances so I had to work during college.

How did you overcome those challenges? I built my own support system. I found friend in similar situations that understood where I was coming from. I joined programs that helped prepare me for graduate school. Instead of focusing on what I did not have or the support I was lacking at home, I focused on my goals.

What did you advise other first-generation students? Make friends (the kind that will motivate you when you are down.) Network with professionals on campus. Join programs. Take advantage of all opportunities. Work hard but also remember to have fun.
Try to make time to volunteer/work so that you can build your resume and be job ready when you graduate.