What is your hometown? Alhambra, CA

What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? CSU Los Angeles - B.S. Physics
CSU Los Angeles - M.S. Physics

What motivated you to go to college? My brother’s struggle, perseverance, and his achievements gave me an opportunity to imagine my future where I teach my own classrooms. I got my Master of Science degree in physics from Cal State LA and in addition to being a student then, I facilitated labs as a graduate assistant and tutored students as an instructional student assistant.

Describe your college experience as first-generation. I was lucky enough to have joyful experiences helping students while I myself was being guided by professionals. I made my transition from a secondary educator to a primary instructor 3 years ago, and along with my brother, I am a first-generation college student. I wouldn’t have successfully completed my degree without the support system found on the college campus.

What unique challenges did you face? My brother paved the way in front of me, but the support found on a college campus in student peers, tutors, professors, and advisors helped me navigate through my college journey and offered a meaningful and empowering experience.

How did you overcome those challenges? The equivalent of this campus’s STEM Center, ASAC, MARCS, Writing Center, and Advisor’s support guided my growth and helped me turn my potential into actuality.

What did you advise other first-generation students? I am now part of a campus’s support system and as a college educator I can say: I am rooting for you, We are rooting for your success. Your education is about you, no one else, take advantage of all the support our campus offers and let our mentors teach you how to advocate for yourself. You are worth it.