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�鶹��ý is proud to participate in the I’m First-Gen College Student Celebration on Tuesday, November 8. With incredible support from the Classified Senate, Guided Pathways, and the Office of Student Equity, this celebration is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of our first-generation students, as well as our first-generation faculty, staff, and administrators.

I, like many of you, am proud to identify as a first-gen student, as well as a proud graduate of a California community college. I know firsthand how important it is, for those of us who were the first in our families, to break barriers and achieve our goals through higher education. As a first-gen student and son of immigrants, I truly value a college education as a means to attain economic mobility for ourselves and for our families. As a college student, I saw education as a way to fulfill the hopes, aspirations, and dreams of my parents, who came to this country seeking better opportunities for their children.

Enrolling in college was a way to fulfill the dreams that my parents had for me; however, I also recognize that being the first can present challenges, such as learning how to navigate a complex educational system. I am eternally grateful to have found valuable support through programs like EOP&S at my local community college. Even still, I remember lacking self-confidence in my abilities and the constant questioning around “Do I have what it takes to succeed in college?” As highlighted in an article written by Itzel Luna, “,” feeling out of place doesn’t automatically go away when students enroll and arrive on campus. Although my parents encouraged and valued my enrollment at Fullerton College, they did not possess the social capital to guide me in my educational journey. Thus, the importance of identifying and utilizing an on-campus support network to provide and affirm a sense of belonging, provide endless opportunities to answer unknown questions, and to support and challenge my development was invaluable to my success.

As you reflect on your student journey, I would ask that you consider what you can do within your spheres of influence and how collectively we can engage in conversation about how �鶹��ý can continue to transform our campus culture to be increasingly welcoming to all students. The book, “Becoming a Student-Ready College” written by Tia Brown McNair, Susan Albertine, Michelle Asha Cooper, Nicole McDonald, and Thomas Major, Jr., is an essential read that challenges educators to reframe our thinking. Rather than put the burden of readiness and preparation on the student, accept the joint responsibility for becoming a student-ready college.

I am encouraged by conversations and strategies that are occurring in various spaces, including the Guided Pathways Workgroup and Completion Teams, as well as the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (PAC-DEIA). Let us continue to co-create and sustain a college learning environment that ensures every student’s experience is designed for success. At �鶹��ý, we celebrate and welcome all students and we are particularly proud of our first-gen students who are eliminating barriers for future generations. 

Best, 

John