First Generation Students

First Generation Students at YVC

麻豆视频 is proud to support first-generation students in achieving their educational and professional goals. More than 75% of YVC students are first-generation, along with many faculty and staff members. We hope this page serves as a resource for first-generation undergraduate students and their families.

The term first-generation college student means:

A student is considered first-generation if neither of the student鈥檚 parent(s) or legal guardian(s) earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
A student who lives with and received support from only one parent or guardian who did not earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
A student who was/is a homeless youth, in the foster care system, or a ward of the state.

Celebrated nationwide every November.

We are honored to join colleges and universities across the nation in the National First-Generation College Celebration this November. Led by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the NASPA Center for First-Generation Student Success, this event celebrates the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff and alumni and raises awareness of the support necessary for this important and resilient population to continue thriving.

Please join this celebration by viewing stories of some of YVC鈥檚 first-generation students, alumni, faculty and staff, making use of our first-gen social media and Zoom graphics, or learning more about our supports for first-gen students.

鈥淢ultiple family members have attempted college, but none have graduated,鈥� says Connor Arvizu, a first-generation college student who plans to transfer to CWU after earning his associate in arts degree next year. 鈥淔or me, earning this degree means making my family proud. My dad dropped out of school in the seventh grade. I want him to know he gave me a good life where I can do big things.鈥�

Connor Arvizu - First Generation Student at YVC

鈥淏oth my dad and brother have passed. I know that earning a degree will make them proud 鈥� that鈥檚 my biggest goal. In my heart and mind, I know that when I walk down that stage, my dad's going to be watching and thinking, 鈥楾hat's my daughter right there.鈥�

Yesenia Espinoza - First Generation Student at YVC

鈥淜nowledge is power. As a parent, I want to inspire my children to never give up 鈥攖o pursue their goals regardless of their age. I want them to know that everything is achievable in life if you set your mind to it.鈥�

Celia Uscanga - First Generation Student at YVC

鈥淢y degree symbolizes breaking cycles of adversity and societal gender norms. All the women in my family before me were stay-at-home mothers and wives. I鈥檓 showing my daughter that women can be smart, achieve seemingly impossible goals, and change the world. As a child, I wasn't encouraged to pursue anything outside of being a mother and a homemaker 鈥� but I know now that I can be so much more!鈥�

Courtney Kryger - First Generation Student at YVC

鈥�Earning my degree means more than reaching a milestone 鈥� it is a reclamation. I come from a background where higher education, especially for women, was often seen as unnecessary or even discouraged. When I chose college, I faced doubt and fear from those closest to me. In many ways, pursuing an education meant believing in a future bigger than the one I was handed. It means carving out a path where a woman鈥檚 autonomy, critical thinking and personal growth aren鈥檛 just accepted 鈥� they鈥檙e celebrated. My degree represents every moment I chose growth over fear, and for the future I am building 鈥� not just for myself, but for those who come after me.鈥�

Karina Taylor - 2025 YVC Graduate

Celebrating First Generation Students at YVC

Ways to Celebrate First-Gen Students

We invite all members of our community to celebrate the success and presence of YVC students, faculty and staff who are the first in their families to attend college during the month of November. Show your first-gen pride on social media by using the following hashtags, social media graphics and Zoom backgrounds.

Celebration Resources

Facebook

I am proud to be a #YVCFirstGen student/faculty/staff because 鈥� #CelebrateFirstGen

Every day #YVCFirstGen students, faculty and staff make great contributions to our community. We are proud to join colleges and universities across the country to recognize the National First-Generation College Celebration on November 8! Learn more at /students/first-generation #CelebrateFirstGen

Instagram

I am proud to be a #YVCFirstGen student/faculty/staff because 鈥� #CelebrateFirstGen #FirstGenYaks

Thank you to all the #YVCFirstGen students, faculty and staff who make great contributions to our community! We are proud to join with colleges and universities across the country to recognize the National First-Generation College Celebration on November 8! Learn more at /students/first-generation #CelebrateFirstGen #FirstGenYaks

Twitter (X)

I am proud to be a #YVCFirstGen student/faculty/staff because 鈥� #CelebrateFirstGen

YVC is proud to participate in the National First-Gen College Celebration on Nov. 8. /students/first-generation #CelebrateFirstGen

[First & Last Name] [Degree Abbreviation if any] [Position Title] [Department is optional] 麻豆视频 [Area Code.Prefix.Suffix] [email@yvcc.edu]	[First & Last Name] [Degree Abbreviation if any] [Position Title] [Department is optional] 麻豆视频 [Area Code.Prefix.Suffix] [email@yvcc.edu]

[First & Last Name] [Degree Abbreviation if any] [Position Title] [Department is optional] 麻豆视频 [Area Code.Prefix.Suffix] [email@yvcc.edu]	[First & Last Name] [Degree Abbreviation if any] [Position Title] [Department is optional] 麻豆视频 [Area Code.Prefix.Suffix] [email@yvcc.edu]

[First & Last Name] [Degree Abbreviation if any] [Position Title] [Department is optional] 麻豆视频 [Area Code.Prefix.Suffix] [email@yvcc.edu]

Resources for First-Generation Students

YVC provides free tutoring, personal counseling, academic advising and other services to support the success of first-generation students.

Resource Info

麻豆视频