Stories | First Generation Initiative

Stumbling into Science - Connie Champagne

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.

Stories: Staff

Fire in the Belly - Shiang-Wan Chin

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.

Stories: Students

Discovering my voice at UC Davis - Jennifer La

Jennifer La '19 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Tell us about your first generation background. Where did you grow up and what is your family history? What is unique about your story?

My family is part of an ethnic minority group from Vietnam known as the Hoa people, ethnically Chinese people who fled to Vietnam to escape economic hardship and violence during the founding of the Republic of China.

Stories: Students

Refuge - Jessica Ison

First generation college student Jessica Ison found refuge at UC Davis. The FilAm community has helped her connect with her heritage, while the Women's Resources and Research Center provided a sense of belonging when she first arrived on campus. An environmental toxicology major, Jessica is also a talented poet.

Stories: Students

Adoption Changed Everything - Elizabeth Nuñez

Elizabeth Nuñez works for the Undergraduate Research Center as an Associate Director. Read Elizabeth's story on how she ended up in college and how her background helped her.

Stories: Staff

Fear as a Means to Personal Growth - Joe Lee

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.

Stories: Staff

Failures Are The Best Motivation - Miguel Paulo Flores

Miguel Paulo Flores is in his last year before achieving his Bachelor's degree, but his education is not stopping here. After college, he will then work towards becoming a consumer or product analyst to support his mother and brother. And of course, he wants to make them proud!

Stories: Students

Setbacks are not a reason to give up - Leslie Olivares

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.

Stories: Faculty

A Journey through Five Colleges - Dave Ivan Cruz

Dave Ivan Cruz '19 International Relations

Tell us about your first generation background. Where did you grow up and what is your family history? What is unique about your story?

Stories: Students

Jeanette Ruiz - FirstGen Story (Video)

Jeanette Ruiz Department of Communication

Communications professor Jeanette Ruiz shares her first generation college student story.

Stories: Faculty