Being a first-generation college student is an accomplishment like none other. It entails venturing into the unfamiliar, while also accepting a new experience that leads to new doors, traditions, and opportunities. The best part – you don’t have to do it alone!
Welcome to the Public Health family! We look forward to working with you and seeing you at our first-generation events.
Provide support, advocate, and host events to enrich the experience of first-generationstudents in the School of Public Health (SPH).
Celebrate the accomplishment of being a first-generation student.
"I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. I never planned to go to graduate school and knew little about public health. Exploration is what got me into it. ... I was fortunate to find great mentoring in my graduate program that took the time to help me understand the opportunities that were available to me, and like so many other first-generation students, I didn’t know those opportunities even existed.”
Dean of the School of Public Health
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“My younger siblings are the reason why I've come to embrace my identity as a first-generation college student. By being a prime example for my younger siblings, my experience will ease their feelings of overwhelmingness, and let them know that they are not alone in this journey. My favorite aspect of being a first-generation college student is having a network of Aggies in the same boat. Oftentimes, I fall victim to the feelings of imposter syndrome. Thanks to an extended family of first gens like me, I don't feel so isolated. A piece of advice I would give to my fellow first gen peers is to continue reaching out. Not only will you be cleared from any confusions, but you will feel at ease having that someone to confide in for any concerns. You got this!”
“Being accepted to Texas A&M was one of the greatest moments of my life. I always felt growing up, going to a college like Texas A&M would only be a dream especially because nobody in my family went to college. I worked hard on my studies and grades at Blinn to hopefully be able to transfer to A&M. When I found out I was accepted into the Public Health program, I was beyond excited and knew my family would be so proud of me. Going to a huge university was scary. I knew there were going to be many people in my class, a huge campus where I was hoping to not get lost in, and classes that were going to be challenging. One of the biggest helps when trying to figure these things out was my academic advisor. One of the most important pieces of advice I would give others is it is okay to ask for help. If you want to succeed, you can’t be afraid to reach out to either your advisor, professors, or even your classmates to ask questions. Being a first-generation college student definitely has its struggles at times, but nothing is more fulfilling than to prove to yourself you can reach your goals with the support of the many people in your life and the people at the university that want to see you succeed.”
“Being a first-generation college student was a daunting thought, but I soon realized that the possibilities and opportunities I had unfolded as a freshman towards my future were endless. By participating in the LAUNCH: ACREW community I was supported and mentored in navigating campus resources and growing my professional network towards professional school. Most importantly, under the guidance of professors in the School of Public Health and their welcoming spirit, I was able to gain the confidence and mindset to achieve my goals. Although there are many doubts about the road to come and the decisions to make, the supportive warmth I experienced alongside other first-generation students helped me persevere. College is not only about evolving professionally, but evolving as a person. It is also important to realize that being a first-generation college student is not something you go through on your own—you are surrounded by Aggies that are in the same boat as you and they will fall just as you will. What matters in the end is that you rise each time stronger and with certainty that the next opportunity is a privilege to succeed in reaching your dreams.”
"The experiences that a first-generation student encounters are unique and difficult to navigate, and at times I would feel as if I would not meet my goals and graduate, yet I did. On campus, I established a new family, my first-gen family. Being able to have friends and faculty that could relate to my struggles and assist me on a more personal level shifted my undergraduate experience to a positive one. I thought once I graduated however that I would no longer feel my connection with being a first gen, yet as a first-year graduate student I have encountered truly similar experiences and feelings as I did in my first semester at TAMU and that allowed me to realize that being first-generation is for life. There will always be continuous learning, realization, imposter syndrome, but that does not mean you have to see being a first gen as a setback. As one first gen to another first gen, know that you will be okay, and sometimes that means you’ll change your goals. Let your experiences lead you and do not be afraid when you begin to lean into different interest. Change can be scary, and even more as a first-generation student that is tackling and exploring higher education but be proud of your background and enjoy your small victories."
“The experiences that a first-generation student encounters are unique and difficult to navigate, and at times I would feel as if I would not meet my goals and graduate, yet I did. On campus, I established a new family, my first-gen family. Being able to have friends and faculty that could relate to my struggles and assist me on a more personal level shifted my undergraduate experience to a positive one. I thought once I graduated however that I would no longer feel my connection with being a first gen, yet as a first-year graduate student I have encountered truly similar experiences and feelings as I did in my first semester at TAMU and that allowed me to realize that being first-generation is for life. There will always be continuous learning, realization, imposter syndrome, but that does not mean you have to see being a first gen as a setback. As one first gen to another first gen, know that you will be okay, and sometimes that means you’ll change your goals. Let your experiences lead you and do not be afraid when you begin to lean into different interest. Change can be scary, and even more as a first-generation student that is tackling and exploring higher education but be proud of your background and enjoy your small victories."
Juanita Rodriguez, MS '17 Public Health Studies, Academic Advisor II rjuanita09@tamu.edu
Erin Schneider Assistant Dean for Student Services erinschneider@tamu.edu
Crystal Vinal Director vinal@tamu.edu