Kayton Carter, Executive Director of Academic Advising Enrichment, shares his first gen story.

Kayton Carter, MA recently became Executive Director for Academic Advising Enrichment at UC Davis. He was previously Executive Director of UC Davis’ three retention centers and four retention initiatives, which support African diaspora, Asian Pacific Islander, Chicanx and Latinx, and Native American students, and was founding director the Center for African Diaspora Student Success, UC Davis’ first Black student retention center. 

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.

Connie Champagne, PhD is the Educational Enrichment and Outreach Programs Director, housing the Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP) and Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR) among other undergraduate research programs. She coaches underrepresented minorities, disadvantaged, and disabled students, supporting them on their journey to succeed with life sciences degrees.

E. Nuñez works for the Undergraduate Research Center as an Associate Director. Read E's story on how they ended up in college and how their background helped them.

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.

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.