“I think the most important thing for a first-generation student is to keep the community ties, to keep the local ties, and respect those who came before you. I had the opportunity to talk to a student who was interested in college but didn’t know what avenue to take, so I gave him my contact information and told him if he wanted to come see the campus, if he wanted to visit a college, if he wanted to ask questions, call me. I’ll do that for anybody. Last year I taught a political civics class in the Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute at my alma mater, East High School. Using the strength I gained here, and giving the high school students a sense that this is something they can do—whatever I have here I can give back.”
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