All Stories

"My parents had always encouraged me to go to college but as an Autistic kid from the middle of nowhere, I thought I wouldn’t be able to succeed in higher education and was destined for a small-town life. It wasn’t until Mr. Sugitan, my 10th grade English teacher, pushed the class to consider college and took our class on a field trip to UW that I could see myself succeeding in a big university like UW. Thanks to his encouragement, I dedicated myself to going to a university, preferably UW." - Sariah Burdett (B.A., History, Korean, and Asian Languages & Cultures, 2022), Program Coordinator, Department of French & Italian Studies

"My early schooling made me feel like I was navigating a lonely path, where no one truly understood my unique challenges. However, everything changed when I discovered the profound meaning of being a first-generation college student. I surrounded myself with like-minded peers and supportive professors who believed in my educational journey, greatly boosting my self-confidence. Now, as a dedicated staff member, my personal first-gen experience serves as a wellspring of inspiration. My goal is to empower students to seek help and take ownership of their education." - Andrea Alfaro, Program Coordinator, Department of Economics

"I wear my first-gen status as a badge of honor. It represents strength, courage, and tenacity. I welcome every opportunity to relay this message to first-gen students and to solidify the belief that they belong here, and the University is greatly enriched by their unique perspectives!" - Kristie Spencer, Professor, Associate Chair, Graduate Program Coordinator; Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences 

In the College of Arts & Sciences, we are proud to support the success of first-generation students, faculty, and staff, and celebrate their many contributions to our university community.

"Being a first-generation college student is a badge of honor and a responsibility I carry with immense pride. It symbolizes the collective hopes and dreams of my family and community, as well as the barriers I have overcome to attain higher education." – MJ Mencias, College of Arts & Sciences student double majoring in both Political Sciences and Law, Society, and Justice.

"I think that my experience as a first-gen really gave me an awareness of and empathy for the world around me that is reflected across all areas of my work. Since my college days, the concepts of social justice, cultural identity, diversity, and inclusion became fundamental aspects of how I approach my personal and professional life — from the stories I want/need to share, the communities I want to make an impact on, to voicing my ideas and concerns on practices that will improve the experiences and outcomes for all students, staff, and faculty." - Leo Carmona (B.A., Psychology, 2016), Media Relations Specialist, School of Art + Art History + Design

"I researched what I did not find in academia. I sought out scholars already in the academy who practiced pedagogies that were aligned with my philosophy and understanding of the world.  With their work as a foundation, I have become more comfortable with the soundness of my own teaching/learning relationships and practices." - Jeanette M Bushnell (Ph.D., Women Studies, 2010; B.S.N., 1975; M.N., 1979), Faculty Instructor: Department of Comparative History of Ideas; Interdisciplinary Honors

"You belong here. You belong here. You belong here. You belong here. Show up and work hard. Find community and always be willing to be there for others in the same way people have been there for you." - Jason Naranjo, Associate Teaching Professor for Disabilities Studies

"Knowing someone is first-gen brings an important point of connection that even after all these years alleviates isolation. This connection may be with a fellow faculty or staff person, but also first-gen undergraduate and first-gen graduate students. (Being a first-gen graduate student was particularly challenging for me.) I always mention my first-gen identity on the first day of class so that students might feel more comfortable approaching me." - Andrea Otáñez, Teaching Professor, Department of Communication

"Find a sympathetic faculty member and start asking questions. How should you design your major?  How do you go about realizing your goals or what's the best way to clarify to yourself what your goals are?   You don't know what you don't know -- it's very, very easy to make mistakes that will have you miss out on opportunities without even realizing it!" - Stefan Steinerberger, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics