STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

 "Welcome to SDSU!  I earned my Social Science degree with a minor in Counseling & Social Change. I am proud to share my hometown is Fallbrook, California and I am a first generation non traditional Chicano transfer student from Palomar Community College.  While my journey to get here was challenging, it was also a very rewarding experience like no other. The best advice I can offer other first gen students coming into SDSU is to never set limits to your success and take advantage of all the resources available to you to reach and surpass all your goals, you'll never know what you're capable of until you try it."    --- Oscar Duran

 

“My name is Brittany Jones and I'm from Richmond, California. I majored in Interdisciplinary Studies in Three Departments (Social Work, Psychology, and Criminal Justice). As a first generation, low-income African American student, I've faced many hardships before and during college but one important thing that I've learned while navigating this process is to build relationships and form your community. There are many students and faculty just like you and who want to help you but you have to seek and reach out. Stand strong in yourself and your experiences while forming connections because you will need that support and that reminder -- that you matter!”

 

"My name is Nancy Nguyen and I was raised in Pittsburg, California and am currently an Honors student majoring in Sociology and minoring in Public Administration. I am a child of Vietnamese refugee parents and the first person in my family to attend college. My advice to other first generation college students is the following: 'The 20's may be the most confusing time of your life - we are too young to have it together, yet too old to not. You are in constant transition - make sure to lean into the discomfort and seek out mentors/femtors, friends, and family that support you, challenge you, and make you a better person.'"


"Kevin AllecArreola, double majoring in Electrical Engineering and Psychology from San Diego (Barrio Logan specifically). My advice would be to find a community and a support system. What helped me the most as a first-gen was having a group of people that could help guide me and occasionally support me in times of need. People like counselors and mentors who have knowledge and experience navigating the university system are of great importance but also having a trusted group of friends and peers who you can study with and confide in...Going to SDSU and having a variety of communities of people like me (First-gen, minority, low-income, STEM) has helped me tremendously and my own sister has taken notice and told me how lucky I am to have such communities on campus. There's a saying that goes something like, '"it takes a village to raise a child,' well following that logic, I believe it takes a community to help a first-gen graduate." 


"My name is Charmagne Jones, and I am a Kinesiology major with an honors minor in Interdisciplinary Studies, born and raised in San Diego. Being a first generation student at SDSU can be daunting at first glance, however there are so many resources dedicated to first-generation students that help ease both scholastic and extracurricular transitions. I would high advise future first generation students to connect and engage with faculty in the Weber Honors College and the external programs dedicated to help them along their college journey."

Learn more about Charmagne Jone's SDSU experience