Episode 22: Comprehensive First Gen Programs

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Dannielle Romoleroux, a Program Manager at a diversity recruiting start-up in New York, about her First Gen Journey. She recently started a passion project focused on documenting her financial goals and progress, First Gen Money. She discusses how she didn't really consider money when applying to and attending college but re-paying her loans has become her priority and motivated her to think more critically about how she manages her money.

Today's episode features a panel from Making Waves Foundation's College & Alumni Program (CAP). CAP provides financial literacy, college coaching, scholarships, career development, and professional networking opportunities to close the gap from college acceptance to college completion for low-income and underserved college students. Four CAP staff members – Ana Calderon, David Ochoa, Dr. Kristina Wright, and Victoria Kupu, will be sharing their experiences as First Gen Professionals working to support and create opportunities for First Generation College Students.

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez reviews two articles that highlight how universities can support First Gen students through comprehensive programming. Dr. Hernandez discusses how social support, financial support, academic support, faculty engagement, mentoring/advising, and high impact educational practices should be central components to any comprehensive First Gen program.

Dr. Hernandez introduces the changes to season 3 and outlines the eight correlates of First Gen success that she will discuss throughout the season.

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Israel Rojas-Moreno, a Senior Consultant at Capital Group about his First Gen Journey. He discusses how he felt guilty about having distance from the challenges his family faced back home and how his long-term perspective was vital in helping him stay motivated for school. He also shared how he learned to utilize the strengths of his First Gen identity to relate to others and build meaningful relationships with colleagues and family members.

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Maira Hernández, an author, blogger, and Recruitment Specialist at a non-profit organization about her First Gen Journey. She discusses her struggle to understand herself better, find balance, and advocate for a professional space that would allow her to feel valued.

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Rocio Herrera, an A-G Diploma Project Counselor at a high school in Los Angeles, about her First Gen Journey. She discusses her early need for structure and guidance, her strategy for creating a career path that would provide flexibility and security, and how her First Gen identity helps her relate to her students.

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Cesar Tiscareño, a civil engineer and project manager, about his First Gen Journey. He discusses how he had trouble relating to others who didn't share his background in both academic and professional settings. Finding mentors, clarifying his professional values, and challenging some of his own assumptions helped him develop meaningful relationships and build a satisfying career.

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Andrea Hernandez, a Relationship Advisor at a commercial bank, about her First Gen Journey. She discusses her decision to transition from one major to another, her experience joining a sorority, and the two separate career paths she carved out for herself during college.

In this episode, Dr. Hernandez interviews Ernesto Velázquez, Deputy City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles, about his First Gen Journey. He discusses struggling with coursework before leaning in to his interests, navigating law school and the legal profession while feeling different, and the lessons he has learned along the way.