Stories | First Generation Initiative

Six Tips to Get Through Remote Classes

UC Davis senior Orey Aderibigbe has a message for her fellow Aggies: "We got this. We're gonna do this!" We're all in this together. Here are Orey's Six Tips to Get Through Remote Classes.

1) Use a Planner or Agenda.

You can write down your test dates, your quiz dates, homework due dates, all in one little book! It's good to keep all of your due dates in written form so you can see them. Right when you get your syllabus, automatically write down due dates in your agenda book.

2) Print Your Syllabus.

Stories: Topics

From Farm Worker to PhD: My 10-Year Journey

Erika Estrada BS, Biological Science '16; PhD Student, Food Science

Ten years ago I arrived alone in the US with nothing but a dream. Now I am proud to call myself a scientist, a PhD student, and a mentor. My family, while loving and supportive, never imagined that I would become a scientist. To be honest, neither did I.

Stories: Students

From Nothing to Everything

Layla Al Asadi '20 Psychology and Human Development

By Layla Al Asadi with Hailey Chatterton

Stories: Students

Helping Undergraduate Students Achieve their Dreams - Jose Ballesteros

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.

Stories: Staff

Integrating Career Readiness into the Classroom

In an earlier blog post we discussed the role faculty have in supporting students' career readiness - a critical issue for FirstGen students. We shared some resources and ideas for integrating awareness of career-preparatory skills into the classroom. Here we share a video recap of what we discussed at the forum, along with links to the resources mentioned.

Stories: Topics

Academic Integration of Career Readiness

Students need to be able to connect what they've learned in the classroom to their future careers. Calling out things you're already doing in the classroom -- such as communication, teamwork, and creative problem-solving -- and relating them to career readiness can help.

Stories: Topics

First-Gen Stole Contest: Jenny Zavala

The two hands represent my parents, and the rag being twisted holds everything that represents my parents such as their hardships, sacrifices, and dreams. By twisting the rag, both hands “shower” me with love, support and most important of all, an opportunity. At the bottom is a representation of me in my graduation gown holding my diploma while I receive my parents loving gifts which all contribute to my growth of who I am today.

Stories: Students

First-Gen Stole Contest: Chelsea Blankenship

Being a first-gen student comes with its challenges, but for Chelsea Blankenship, the journey had bittersweet movements, where she learned to find beauty in darkness. Through her poem, simple talk, Chelsea hopes to help other students understand that they are capable to overcome trauma and that they are beautiful being.

Stories: Students

First-Gen Stole Contest: Roseanne Gorelik

As the daughter of two immigrants, Roseanne Gorelik and her family was ecstatic for her to have the opportunity to attend UC Davis, and to now see her graduate, it is a dream come true for the family. Through her written poem: Us: In Poems, Roseanne describes her powerful relationship with her family and how her journey through college, was not just for her, but for her family as well.

Stories: Students

First-Gen Stole Contest: Yilda Korpela

From a hardworking agricultural family in the Central Valley, first-generation graduate Yilda arrived in Davis prepared to dedicate herself to her studies in order to succeed not just for herself, but her father as well.

Stories: Students