“ Everything that I accomplished in college , both at the two-year and the fouryear college level , I owe to the networking and the community I found with the student leaders I surrounded myself with .” Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Juan Gonzalez echoed the importance of resiliency , determination and finding an effective support system . Gonzalez was the youngest of 10 children in his family to graduate from college , and said he and all his siblings benefitted from generous and giving elders , mentors and faculty . He called First Gen students “ intelligent , motived and dedicated ,” and said extra guidance and resources may be needed for these students to thrive .
Many of UC San Diego ’ s First Gen faculty and staff , like cognitive scientist Bradley Voytek , musician Susan Narucki and Sarah Baker of the Analytical Writing Program , share a common desire to mentor . Gentry Patrick , a professor of neurobiology , benefitted from mentorship when he was a First Gen student at UC Berkeley and knows the role a mentor plays for struggling college students .
“ College is really one of the most transformative times in your life ,” Patrick said . Having grown up in Compton and the Watts neighborhood near Los Angeles , he said he wants to make sure young students from similarly underserved areas know schools like UC San Diego are within their reach .
“ You can really think about what you want to do with your life and then gain the necessary skills and knowledge base . An education is one of the best tools you can equip yourself with , especially for kids coming from underserved backgrounds ,” he said .
Despite the struggles , Contreras — that First Gen student who wouldn ’ t listen to the doubt about her in high school — said she wants all students to feel empowered and succeed : “ I tell my students , ‘ You ’ re exactly where you ’ re meant to be . And know that you belong here .’”
Are you the first in your family to go to college ? Share your First Gen student story with us at tritonmag @ ucsd . edu
ADVICE FROM THE TOP
From First Gen student at UC San Diego to chancellor of UC Santa Cruz , George Blumenthal , PhD ’ 72 , speaks from experience :
My backstory : “ When in high school , I didn ’ t even know it was possible to get a scholarship to college without playing football . I lived at home , went to college and continuously worked at least 20 hours per week , first in a store , then in the public library system
and finally as an undergraduate researcher at the university .”
What I would tell my freshman self : “ Feel assured that you really do belong at the university . Don ’ t be afraid to move outside your comfort zone , and always be open to new ideas and to thinking critically about the subjects you are learning . Be willing to seize those opportunities that present themselves .”
The best thing about my college experience : “ I was able to greatly expand my horizons . I had numerous eye-opening insights about myself and about the subjects I was studying — whether I liked them or not . I was able to get involved in research and discovery , which proved to be a life-changing experience for me . And my many interactions with others outside the classroom , both friends and co-workers , had a very positive and lasting impact on my life .”
Are you First Gen ? Do you have advice to share ? Let ’ s hear it ! tritonmag @ ucsd . edu
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