Jose Ballesteros is a first-generation college graduate from Stockton, CA. During his Graduate studies, he received support from his mentor to continue his Ph.D. As the Director of the McNairs Scholars, Jose now assists and mentor underrepresented students to pursue their Ph.D. degrees and achieve their own dreams.

Shiang-Wan Chin '17 Managerial Economics & Communication

My parents immigrated to the United States from Taiwan, and they did it without speaking English. My siblings and I grew up in San Francisco. When applying for college, I knew I had to stay close to home so I could visit my family easily, so I applied only to UC Berkeley and UC Davis.

UC Davis was always my top school. I first became interested because of its world-renowned agriculture economics program.

Joe Lee works in the CA&ES Dean's Office as an academic advisor. He is a graduate of UC Davis and has worked on campus since his graduation.

Lesllie Olivares works at the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety where she is part of their education and outreach team. In the fall, she will attend graduate school to pursue an MS in Nutrition Biology.

First Generation faculty member and UC Davis alumna Marina Crowder recalls her experiences as a first gen college student. The video is part of the FirstGen First Year Seminars series, produced to help college faculty connect with first gen students.

Lorenzo Zúñiga 

Undergraduate Advisor, Languages and Literatures

This is what makes me Lorenzo Zúñiga 

I am an immigrant who is the son of immigrants. My mother and father grew up in Ceballos, Durango, Mexico. My parents only had the opportunity to study until the third grade;  they were told that they were too old for school and had to work to help out their family.

At age 7, Ami Tripp entered the United States as a refugee. Her mom inspired her to pursue higher education, and as a first-generation UC Davis alumni, she is committed to giving back to her community.