CSUMB is a great destination for first-generation college students

By Adrienn Mendonça-Jones

First-Gen Forward: the university’s perspective

California State University Monterey Bay serves many constituents as a state university and through its designation as an Hispanic Serving Institution and a Minority Serving Institution. But it’s also received designation as a First-Gen Forward institution. 

“It’s part of a national network of institutions committed to engaging in evidence-based practices and scaling efforts to serve first-generation students,” said Clementina Macias, the interim associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, who also serves as the director of College Support Programs. 

First-generation students are generally defined as undergraduates whose parents have not attained bachelor’s degrees. At CSUMB, over 53 percent of the student population identifies as first-generation. 

According to the Center for First-Generation Student Success (which runs the First-Gen Forward program), the average persistence rate for student retention after the first year at public four-year institutions is 86 percent. 

At CSUMB, “the College Support Programs have an average persistence retention rate of approximately 96 percent,” said Macias. 

“We want any student who steps on campus who is first-generation to know that even though they are the first, they are not alone and they have a strong support system at CSUMB,” she continued. 

That support system includes: financial aid packages and assistance, which help students with everything from seeking grants and scholarships to providing school supplies and access to groceries; an annual First-Generation Celebration; a first-year success living learning community; and a First-Gen Forward committee which works to enhance, support, and continually expand services for first-generation students.

First-Gen Forward: the student’s perspective 

Ryan Anderson, TRIO SSS

Coming to a new university
“Before I even stepped foot on campus, TRIO held an online Summer Boot Camp that put me in contact with other incoming transfer students. I enjoyed the boot camp and, even more, I enjoyed walking into my classes on the first day of the semester, seeing familiar faces – on a campus I had never been to before.”

Having a common cohort 
“I don't have anyone to talk to about school back home. Neither of my parents, or my sister or my grandparents have gone to college, so it is a weird feeling to have such a big part of my life be completely foreign to my family: things like the intensity of finals, phenomena like imposter syndrome. Not only can I speak about these things to the staff and students in TRIO, but they often are the ones bringing these ideas up in workshops or one-on-one appointments. It means so much to know I am not alone.”

Yadira Arredondo Gonzalez, CAMP

Finding community in her first year
“CAMP really helped with my first year. It was a great support system away from home. I could converse with people from the same background as [mine], the same community of low-income and first-generation students. I definitely know it helped me grow as a student, and as an individual too.”

Her work as a CAMP mentor in her fourth year
“It has been such an honor to guide and connect with students. I enjoy giving advice, being that comfort person for someone [to] go to. I would definitely encourage students to apply and get involved with CAMP. If it wasn’t for CAMP, I would not have finished school. It means a lot to me, and my family, to overcome obstacles and accomplish graduation.” 

A message to potential students
“I want first-gen students to know there are other people like them, and that there’s a place for them here. I would really encourage them to advocate for themselves, and to feel like they belong in a four-year institution.”

Jazmine Ramirez Hernandez, TRIO SSS

Transferring from Hartnell College
“My peer mentor for my first year was someone who I could schedule meetings with if I had any questions about student life or if I needed a pep talk. As a first-gen student, there is always that point in the semester in which we feel like we can’t keep going anymore.”

Encouragement to attend graduate school
“After completing my first year at CSUMB, I considered graduate school. I attended a Grad School 101 workshop with TRIO in the Fall of 2022. A TRIO pro staff member helped me polish my resume, revise my statement of purpose, and prepare for my grad school interview. On April 5, I was accepted into the Master’s in Counseling and Guidance program at San Jose State University. In the Fall of 2023, I will continue my academic journey as a graduate student.”

More on College Support Programs:

“CSUMB’s College Support Programs are dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of undergraduate underrepresented students through high-quality programs and services that promote educational opportunity and support students’ academic success,” said Macias. 

The programs include:

• Educational Opportunity Program 
• Guardian Scholars
• TRIO Student Support Services 
• College Assistance Migrant Program 
• Undocu-Success Center