First-Gen Directory

I am proud to be first-gen because:

I was a first generation college student in Texas so I know how it is growing up in a small Texas town and heading off to college. My family was certainly not accustomed to being on a college campus so they were more uncomfortable and lost than even I was. Then I went on to get my MFA from Rutgers in New Jersey. First gen folks really have a tough time when they head out of state too. But now here I am a professor back in Texas teaching 1st Gen students. My work has taken me all over the world as I have appeared in numerous films and television shows as well as great theatres across the country. That access I first got from being in school and meeting my faculty is exactly what I share now with my students. Education can bring access to worlds we thought impossible. I can bring them knowledge from the front lines of the entertainment industry. It has brought great meaning to my life and I look forward to each fall semester.

I am proud to be first-gen because:

I am immensely proud to be a first-generation student because my journey represents not only my own achievements but also the resilience and dedication of my family, especially my mother. My mom, a first-generation American herself, raised my brother and me on her own, instilling in us the importance of education despite the many obstacles we faced. We didn't have resources or knowledge about how to navigate the college application process, but we figured it out together. Her determination taught me to be resourceful and resilient, qualities that have been essential throughout my educational journey.

Pursuing higher education was my way of creating a better life for myself and my family. I wanted to ease the burden on my mom and contribute to our family's future. Achieving both a bachelor's and a master's degree was a testament to my commitment to that goal, despite the challenges of figuring everything out on my own.

Today, working in Undergraduate Admissions, I have the privilege of using my experiences to help other first-generation students navigate their own paths. I understand the struggles they face, the worries they have about their families, and the pressures they feel to succeed. Being able to share my story and offer guidance is incredibly rewarding, and it reinforces my pride in being a first-generation student. My journey has taught me to trust myself and, most importantly, to be a resource for others who are walking a similar path.

Students can ask me about:

As the Welcome Center Coordinator and Bobcat alum, I have lots of campus knowledge! Ask me about the admissions process, resources for students, campus life, or even how to represent TXST by being a campus tour guide or University Ambassador! 

I am proud to be first-gen because:

Like many, I never considered myself a first-generation college student because I have siblings who have already achieved their degrees. The true meaning of being "first-gen" eluded me until my first semester of graduate school in Spring 2024. As a Mexican American and the youngest of six, this revelation felt like a late awakening. I reflected on the opportunities I might have missed during my undergraduate years, from scholarships to resources that could have been pivotal.

But now with this newfound understanding, I have the chance to make a difference for my nieces and nephews who are in high school. I can share with them that they are first-gen, too, and guide them toward the opportunities available. I am proud to be First Gen because it means I am paving the way for my family and community, transforming obstacles into opportunities while giving courage to those to pursue their own dreams.

Students can ask me about:

What is first-gen?  Am I considered first-gen?  What opportunities are in store for me?

I am proud to be first-gen because:

Coming from a low-income, under-served background as a first-generation college student, I had very little support from home other than an aspirational single-mom who strongly encouraged me to get a college education despite the fact that she had no real sense of what that would entail. I had no experience with what higher ed looked like, nor did I have anyone I could lean on to make my way through the process. Thankfully, I excelled in the seminar-based undergrad program I found myself in, and I decided to pursue graduate education following a stint in the Peace Corps. I earned my Masters degree while pregnant with my first child and then my PhD while pregnant with my second. Those times were not easy, but I doggedly pursued my (late-breaking) goal of becoming a college professor and was able to secure a hard-won tenure-track position at Texas State University in 2013. Following a divorce and new marriage, I had a third child just as I was being promoted to Associate Professor in 2019, Fast forward through a pandemic and much much more, I was just promoted to Professor as of Sept 1, 2024, and I couldn't be prouder to be a first-gen student who pushed through numerous obstacles to succeed in my career. 

Students can ask me about:

How to persevere, how to leverage your strengths for success, how to find joy and stay sane in under duress…

Or, about: public service work like Americorps, Peace Corps, and other community-based environmental outreach; study abroad (namely, the experiences I had a student and those I provide as a teacher); my research on "fermented landscapes" (or the geography of wine, beer, and spirits broadly speaking); how to find and maintain an adequate "work/life balance" as a working mom; or my experiences as the "world's okayest runner" (since running is a personal passion, though I can't say I am very fast or good at it). 

I am proud to be first-gen because:

As first-generation student, I learned to rely on mentors and to develop creative thinking at an early age. While my journey was full of learning opportunities(difficulties), I was lucky to have funded my undergraduate and graduate degrees through a combination of academic and athletic scholarships. 

In my experience, challenges and opportunities tend to balance each other and contribute to students' development. 

Students can ask me about:

Anything related to my career, intercultural development, professional growth, personal development.

I am proud to be first gen because:

It represents a significant personal and familial achievement that I once thought was beyond reach. Growing up as an only child in a single-parent household where my mother did not graduate high school posed its own challenges. I had to learn to navigate using the resources available to us. Fortunately, my mother worked as a custodian at the local school district, where I made invaluable connections from a young age that helped me understand the college application process.

Arriving at Texas State University as an undergrad, I faced the unknown with determination. Throughout my time at TXST, I made sacrifices and tough decisions to persevere. I worked as a student employee all four years, funding my education and applying the lessons I learned early on. These experiences and connections helped me secure my first full-time job just two months before graduating in May 2022, setting me on a path to a career in higher education that I once thought was out of reach.

Having been that student without a guide through higher education, I am now driven to support others. I am committed to helping students navigate college and connecting them with the resources they need to succeed.

Students can ask me about:

Feel free to ask me about anything career-related, navigating college life, Texas State University specifics (I’m an alum myself!), and more.

I am proud to be first gen because:

I inspired many generations in my family back home in India to pursue a career or life outside India. 

I lost my father at the age of 14, but my dreams pushed me to carve a path to pursue a Ph.D. in the US (even after multiple rejections from multiple universities). No one in my family has a Ph.D. degree and has never left India to pursue any academic degree- this still stands true even today. I am the first and only member in my (extended) family, who dared to get admission to U.S. universities, earn a Ph.D. degree and become a professor in one of the top public universities in the U.S. It was tremendous pressure while pursuing this degree and I am glad I was able to do it. 

My challenges were multiple-fold; coming from the professional world to academia to pursue a doctoral degree, understanding academic culture and understanding American culture as I had/ have no family member in the U.S. I came by myself to pursue my dreams in the U.S.- the land of dreams.  The only thing that is needed - perseverance! You are not a failure until you quit. 

Students can ask me about:

- My journey from India to U.S.

- How my professional experience helped me in my journey?

- How to overcome mental pressures while pursuing a degree as a first-gen?

- How to seek support when you feel stuck while pursuing a degree as a first-gen?

- How to take care of your mental and physical health?

I am proud to be first gen because:

I am the first in my family to attend a University and graduate with not only a Bachelors Degree, but also a Masters Degree. My dad went straight into the workforce right after high school and my mom attended a community college for a year. I have a younger sibling who tried to college route but ended up going to a trade school instead.

Growing up I always knew I was going to go to college someday, but I just didn't know what I wanted to study. In high school, I was heavily involved in the arts (musical theatre and dance), so I set my future focus on those. I spent many days and hours meeting with the career counselor at my high school going over all the options for good drama schools. However, like some first-gen students, it can be nerve wracking to make a decision or to talk about that decision with someone in your family that may not understand the pressure to decide. When the time finally came to decide what I was going to do, or where I was going to go, I panicked! Instead, I chose to enroll in a community college near my hometown. This was one of the best decisions I made, because I was able to complete my prerequisite requirements while taking my time to think really hard about what I wanted out of my college/university experience. 

The time came for me to finally pick a university to transfer to and I chose Texas State University because of what I wanted to study (Social Work). As a first-gen proud student, I was incredibly nervous when I had to figure out how to transfer, how to apply, what do I need, and the list continued! I transferred to Texas State in the Fall of 2009 and began my journey! I had to get over my fear and just start asking questions and putting myself out there to figure out university life! With the help of Academic Advisors, professors, classmates, my parents, and other Texas State staff members, I was able to navigate school more smoothly than I thought. With this help, I was able to obtain a job as a student worker on campus for almost 2 years, graduate with honors, and receive my Bachelors and Master's Degree both in Social Work. There was this overwhelming since of pride...a first-gen pride, that I felt after seeing all I was able to accomplish. Not only am I First-Gen Proud, TXST Bobcat Proud, a TXST Alumna, and now 10 years after graduation I am a TXST Staff Member. First-Gen Proud is not just a feeling, it's part of who I am!

Students can ask me about:

I enjoy connecting people with resources and helping them in any way I can. Ask me about community resources! 

I am proud to be first gen because:

I was able to start a legacy of higher education for myself and my family, leading to a desire to help others be successful in earning their education. I graduated with my bachelors degree as the first in my family, and had my children in the stands of Strahan watch me walk the stage. Now, my husband and my kids are supporting me as I seek the first PhD in my family as well!

Students can ask me about:

Ask me how to navigate school while raising children. Ask me what amazing resources Texas State University can help with when you need someone or something. 

I am proud to be first gen because:

I am proud to be First Gen because I navigated the journey to earning my college degree largely on my own. My determination and willingness to step out of my comfort zone opened doors I never imagined. Completing both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees is more than just having the physical diplomas—education has been a transformative experience that has completely reshaped my perspective on life. After separating from the Military, following a six-year career in the Air Force, it felt daunting to be "starting over." But I pushed through the confusion, the lack of motivation, and the challenges of comparing myself to peers who went to college right after high school. I’m proud that I persevered and accomplished something truly life-changing.

Students can ask me about:

I would encourage students to ask me any questions that will help them succeed academically, professionally, and personally during their time at the university and beyond. I am also happy to answer any questions about my unique experience of coming to college in my later 20s rather than straight out of high school. 

I am proud to be first gen because:

In November of my senior year of high-school, I realized I should probably apply to college if I planned on going in the fall. I came from a small school and college prep was not something that was pushed at the time. My cousin attended Texas State, so that is where I decided I needed to go as well. I was accepted into the Emerging Stars program where I started attending school in July of 2010. It was through this program that I ended up getting a diagnosis of ADHD and was able to get supports. I went from struggling daily to complete academic tasks to making the Deans list consistently. I went on to be apart of the national board of directors for the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) and to finally graduate with my degree in interdisciplinary studies, making me the first in my immediate family to graduate from University. I later decided to get my masters in Special Education and became the first in my immediate family to earn a masters. I am now so excited to be back at Texas State as the Bobcat RISE Program Specialist!

Students can ask me about:

Disabilities and higher education

Teaching/Education Programs (especially special education) 

I am proud to be first gen because:

I am proud to be a First Gen because I have learned to empower myself despite all odds being stacked against me. Being a First Gen has taught me how to take control of my environment, my well-being, and my goals. My First Gen journey has given me invaluable insight into the importance of diversity, struggle, and hard work within higher education. I have had to overcome homelessness, PTSD, and being marginalized as a member of the LGBTQ+ community to complete my First Gen journey. As a First Gen Faculty member, I can now give back to students who may also be experiencing similar situations during their educational journey. Being a First Gen is an honor because I get to be a part of something special; something that not everyone has the opportunity to be a part of. 

Students can ask me about:

Ask me about different resources that may help you with your First Gen journey (scholarships, grants, well-being, study habits, time management, advice, etc.)

I am proud to be first gen because:

Growing up, I was regaled with stories from my older relatives about the adversity our family faced throughout Texas. Whether it was being denied anything beyond an 8th grade education due to prejudice against Mexican-Americans or overcoming violent hazing and racism my uncles both experienced being the first Mexican-American police officer and fighter in Houston, the moral of the story was always the same; never take education for granted, and take every educational opportunity afforded to you. In my hardest times studying for finals or balancing a self-inflicted overloaded class schedule, my motivation always came from the sense of pride and gratitude I had for the opportunity to be the first in my family to pursue higher education. Still to this day, I proudly hang my Texas State University diploma on my wall next to a picture of my great great Tio Placido Martinez standing with other members of his local LULAC chapter after their inaugural meeting to help create equitable educational opportunities for students of color in Goliad, Tx. 

Students can ask me about:

How to navigate acculturative stress from parents who may not understand the unique challenges of college life and the demands of higher education. How to carve your own unique path that honors your family without feeling like they are dictating your goals for you. How to select a meaningful and useful major to accomplish future career goals, or open doors for meaningful opportunities based on your existing interests and functional strengths. 

I am proud to be first gen because:

I didn't realize there was a term "1st gen" until I became a faculty member at my alma mater here at Texas State. Looking back, I think I was lucky to find mentors as an undergraduate and graduate student that were essential for my success. If there was a specific program to help someone like me at the time, I didn't know it as a student and again think luck and grit helped me get where I am now. I remember feeling lost and out of place pretty much the entirety of my undergraduate years. I now look forward to meeting and mentoring 1st gen students and being part of a group that celebrates the uniqueness of this population and sharing my story. 

Students can ask me about:

I'm an open book, they can ask me anything.

I have a family. My husband was also first gen at TXST.

I'm on the Round Rock Campus if that makes a difference to students.

I have a strong clinical education focus with hands-on training

I am proud to be first gen:

I am a proud first Gen student because it tells a story. Being able to graduate and even go to college shows how hard my parents worked to come here. Even though they weren’t able to finish school, we finished together. I was born in Vietnam and came here with my parents. They were only able to finish high school because they both had to work. In Vietnam, students have to pay for tuition in every grade they take. I am already struggling to pay for college, I cannot imagine having to pay for elementary, middle school, and high school. I would be the first person to graduate because my grandparents and parents didn’t go to college. I would also be the first teacher in my family. 

I am proud to be first gen because:

I get to show not only myself but my family that a higher education is possible, even through the hardships we have faced. I show up every day to ensure that I have a better life than the one I was blessed to enter, but happy to change.

Students can ask me about:

The process of getting student loans, scholarships, pell grants. It was very daunting and scary to think about at first, but doing it is so much easier than you expect. 

I am proud to be first gen because:

I am proud of the overcoming the challenge of my own pride and ego!  Initially, I believed asking for help was a sign of weakness and that I needed to figure everything out on my own.  This mindset often left me feeling overwhelmed, especially when I encountered challenging subjects.  It took a lot of self-reflection and humility to acknowledge that seeking help is a cool.

Students can ask me about:

Ask me about all the cool things the department of Campus Recreation offers.

Ask me about US1100 and how to transition from high school to college.

Ask me how I transitioned from the work force into Grad School, after being away from college for ten years.

Ask me to critique your resume and cover letter.

I am proud to be first gen because:

One could say I am a bobcat through and through! I am a first generation student undergrad through my PhD that I am currently pursuing. My undergraduate degree with a Bachelors of Fine Arts with a major in Theatre and a Minor in Opera performance, my Masters degree was in the O.W.L.S. or Organization, Workforce, Leadership Studies program where I studied Plus Size Women in Workplace Leadership Roles, and now I am currently working on my PhD in the Educational and Community Leadership program where I plan to research The Impact of Size-Based Bullying on Plus-Size Women from Primary School Through Professional Careers. I always knew I was going to make it to college for undergrad. My Mom and I had no idea what we were doing so I have lots of school loans, but I did it. Furthering my education was only a dream my Mom and I talked about, because we knew I wouldn't be able to afford it. I started working for the university and received scholarships/grants that have helped me continue my education. My Mom unfortunately passed away from breast cancer in 2022. My life started to spiral and I didn't really know what direction I wanted to go in. I knew I needed to change my career and luckily something sparked and it lead me right back home to Texas State! My Mom unfortunately passed prior to me accepting this position, getting into grad school, graduating with my Masters, and getting accepted into my PhD program. I like to say these extra degrees are for the both of us. She's helping me through it along with my rescue pup, Sunflower! Don't be afraid to keep going! We bobcats are pretty resilient and can achieve anything you put your mind to! Ask questions, make friends, explore the campus/city, make memories, work hard, and don't forget to enjoy your time as a student! 

Students can ask me about:

Any questions are welcome! If I don't know the answer, I can point you in the right direction!