As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

To me, the importance of being a first generation college student is to hopefully create a chain reaction for the younger members of my family. I want to be a mentor and create a sense of accomplishment for my family.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Growing up as a poor child of a single undocumented mother, being a first-generation college student symbolizes a beacon of hope for my family and me. My mother and aunts are in awe over the fact that I made it to University and am pursuing a 4-year study. One of the main reasons I've made it to University is because of the help my mother gave me as a child. Although my mother was constantly working, she would serve as the backbone for my academic success in elementary school. Late at night when my mother would come home from work, she would wake me up so I could finish assigned homework and study for quizzes/tests. I'm so grateful to have an opportunity to pay back my mother for everything she has given me while still finding passion in my academic career.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Being a First-Generation college student is a journey filled with personal growth, overcoming generational obstacles, and serving as a role model for my younger family members. It signifies a strong dedication to education and the aspiration to create a brighter future for myself and generations to come.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

My grandparents moved to California from Oklahoma in the 1940s following the Dust Bowl. Most of the children in their families did not even complete elementary school, let alone high school. When they had children in turn, college was never a plan, and most of them, my own mom included, also did not finish high school. My mom bounced around for a bit before joining the army where she eventually received her GED. Knowing she wanted better for me, my mom pushed me towards college. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the knowledge or the resources to effectively set me on that path. Instead, when I finished high school, I went straight into the work force while writing whenever I could. I’ve always struggled with mental health, and bouts of poor mental health correlate directly with my ability to create. When I hit an all-time low in 2018 and was unable to produce any writing, I decided it was finally time for me to go back to school. When I made that decision, I had no idea it would lead me to where I am now, working on a historical romance novel as my capstone in the University Honors program at a University of California. To be here at UC Riverside after a journey through the struggles of poverty and the chasms of depression means the world to me, and I could not be prouder to say that in less than a year, I will be the first person in my entire family history to receive a Bachelor’s Degree.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Being a First Generation college student for me means blazing my own trail and accomplishing things that I never thought were possible. As a recent immigrant to the US from Greece and a non-traditional First Gen student, all the barriers I've had to overcome have helped me come to know myself, my strengths, and my dreams--along with the determination to keep striving and achieving.     

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

For me, being a First Generation college student means having resilience and determination to overcome educational barrieres that were created to prevent people like me from receiving a higher education.   

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

I feel privileged to be here at UCR, and to share my families struggles and experiences coming from the bottom with no money to having a stable life now and having myself pursue higher education. I feel that the sense of being a first generation student brings a different perspective and belonging in classrooms towards students who have parents who have already completed professional roles.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

As a first generation college student, I feel that I am taking a leap that my family was once afraid to take themselves.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Being a trailblazer

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Being a First Generation college student to me means that I am able to accomplish anything that I would like to pursue while learning how to become more independent and confident with getting out of my comfort zone. Being a First Generation college student also means that I get to use the support and advice that I received from my parents and family to go after what is best for me and my future.        

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Being a First Generation college student means hope and having the ability to use that hope to move mountains and pave a way for not only our dreams, but our families. It means We made it against all odds and we broke down that barrier.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Just hearing the word "first" is a lot of pressure to live up to. But I know as a First-Gen I'll be paving a way and creating a legacy for those to come after, especially for my younger siblings. Being the first one in my family is overwhelming at times, but at the same time, I'm showing my younger siblings that they can also reach this level of accomplishment.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Being a First Generation college student means shows others that they are not alone and they can succeed. Students of different cultures, ethnicities, races, and identities can be first-generation, and many times, they don't see many, or any, student who look like them be recognized for their achievements, especially as a first-generation students. As a Ukrainian-American, first-generation student, I don't tend to see many other Ukrainian-American students be recognized for their achievements in the media. I always advocate for first-generation students, and all students alike, because first-generation students do not always get the same opportunities as others whether it's financial, emotional, or physical support.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

To show to my parents that I am thankful for what they have provided for me. But to also give back to the community I grew up in eventually.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Being the first in my family to go to college means I can be the change I want to see for my community. Coming from a low- income background I will now have the resources to fuel my passion to cultivate a community of tolerance and hope.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Being a first generation college student means changing the cycle in pursuit of educational and professional development.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Being a First Generation college student means breaking new ground, not just for myself but for my family and community. It's about overcoming obstacles and navigating a path where there may not have been a clear roadmap before. I carry the responsibility and the privilege of being the first in my family to pursue higher education, which pushes me to work harder and reach higher, knowing that my success can open doors for others.

As a part of our "Why I'm First" campaign, please share what it means for you to be a First Generation college student?

Being a first-generation college student is deeply personal to me, as it represents the fulfillment of my mother's dream and the realization of a better future for our family. My mother, who sacrificed everything to bring her ten children to the US, has been my greatest influence. As the youngest of ten, I witnessed her unwavering determination and strength despite the many hardships she endured, including her lack of access to education. She worked tirelessly from a young age, and her resilience has been a guiding force in my life.

Growing up as an undocumented dreamer in difficult circumstances, education was not just a goal, it became my escape and my hope. School provided me with a sanctuary, a place where I could carve out a different path from the struggles that surrounded me. Despite the obstacles, including the loss of my father and the challenges of being a high school dropout, I found the courage to pursue a higher education. Completing 70 high school credits in just three months was a turning point that opened doors I never imagined possible.

My journey has been marked by perseverance, especially during the pandemic when I faced homelessness, financial insecurity, and my mother’s illness. Yet, through it all, I managed to maintain a perfect GPA in order to transfer to UCR, where I continue to strive for excellence. Being a first-generation college student means more than just breaking barriers, to me it means honoring my mother's sacrifices, uplifting my community, and inspiring others to pursue their dreams despite the odds.

Today, I have the privilege of bringing positive change to my surroundings, in which I get to inspire fellow students, enhance programs, and represent my university at a statewide level with the service I completed through CollegeCorps. My story is a testament to the power of resilience, and I am proud to be the change I wish to see in the world.