What is your hometown? San Francisco, CA

What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? Allan Hancock College - Transfer Certificate
California State University, Los Angeles - Kinesiology & Art
California State University, Fullerton - Education

What motivated you to go to college? I loved learning, exploring, and creating and understood college would be my way to continue to do the things I loved.

Describe your college experience as first-generation. It was something I had to do on my own. I had to figure out how to be financially independent and put myself through college. I worked full-time and went to school full-time until I reached my educational goal. There would be times I slept 3 hours a day just to get my coursework finished. I also had to put social life to the side for some years. Education was truly an investment of my time and energy.

What unique challenges did you face? Although I was a student, I was also depended on financially by others. I was also seen as freelance caretaker by extended family members. I was also trying to understand my identity as a questioning Queer Latino from a traditional Catholic household.

How did you overcome those challenges? Worked full-time while completing my degrees and choosing to focus on my studies. I also chose to move to another part of the state so I could focus on my development, academic and personal.

What did you advise other first-generation students? It is okay to invest in yourself. The best way to help others is to take intentional time and find your own path.