Statement Of Purpose: A First Generation Chicana Student

My primary motivation to participate in GiGS arises from a desire to encourage and support students from underrepresented groups that are considering a graduate education and to help them perceive graduate school as an attainable goal. As a STEM graduate student of color, I am saliently aware of the many challenges facing people of color, particularly with access to people or mentors who can provide information and advice on preparing and applying for graduate school. Since neither of my parents ever attended graduate school, much of the process was new to both me and my family. “Simple” things such choosing which labs to work in during your undergraduate career, or knowing when or where to sign up for the GRE was challenging due to the lack

“ You got no fuckin’ idea what La Raza means…It’s about our people out there working…Surviving with pride and dignity, that’s La Raza” (Frost, “La Raza, Part II”). Many people in American society keep social activities and music in two entirely different categories. Nevertheless, such classification fails to recognize how social activities and music may enlighten each other. The correlation between the major ever-changing experiences of Chicana/os has shaped Chicano music in the United States. Which showcases that music can be a powerful instrument to communicating the voice of social activities. In the twenty-first century Chianca/os continues to battle with issues of oppression, power empowerment, resistance, violence, and identity crisis.

Welcome, I am honored, as a young first generation Latina, to be speaking in front of you. Although there are stereotypes toward young Latina woman such as myself, I knew that anything was possible which brings me here today. I am not here to talk about myself but rather the future especially our future. A future where I envision that technology has advanced extremely but fear that our human interaction and compassion will be decreasing.

Dreams are shaped by ideals and families shape the beliefs we grasp strongly. The sacrifices and struggles of my family and I are what have shaped me to be the person I am today, therefore i have dedicated my path as a first generation Hispanic student to my family.

As a first-generation Latina in college, I could not be where I am without the help of multiple individuals. My parent’s sacrificed so much coming into this country. They left behind their family, their home, in order to one day provide a better future for me. Initially, my parents planned on staying in America for five years then they would go back to Ecuador. However plans changed once my mom became pregnant with me. The decision to stay in order to give me the best future possible greatly affected both my parents. They suffer greatly and lament leaving their family everyday. Only my mom has the slight possibly of returning to her home country but unfortunately, the only thing waiting her is her mother’s grave.

My Hispanic culture is exceedingly unique contrast to other cultures because we have countless of beliefs, holidays, lifestyles, etc. My world of Hispanic culture raised me to become an independent and determined person because being the first generation of a Hispanic family to attend college has my family beyond thrilled for me to put value to our heritage. Putting value in our heritage is a magnificent emotion because people anticipate Hispanics to fail; but, we prove them wrong when we accomplish our goals. The Hispanic culture’s strength is unbelievably astonishing because we are ambitious of our dreams and we don’t cease until we fulfill our wish. Including the Hispanic culture at University of Washington may open people’s mind that we

Growing up as a first-generation college-bound Hispanic woman has proven to be a difficult journey. Both of my parents left their home countries at a young age and came to this country without any ideas or real opportunities on where to begin. At a young age, I have been taught that having a higher education is the key to having a successful and plentiful life. However, the journey towards achieving my dream of receiving a higher education has been filled with moments where I have challenged the stereotypes about getting pregnant and dropping out of high school, facing my grandma’s unexpected illness that affected me both academically and mentally, and the challenge of being a first generation college bound student in my family.

Freshman year during my lunch period, I had decided to participate in technology squad to assist those unfamiliar with software applications such as PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs. Also I was responsible to assign laptops out to students who needed them. When I heard of EMT Club, I automatically joined because I wanted to learn more on what it takes to become an EMT. I handed out candy grams to raise money for the ambulance corps and got to listen to current medical technicians that provided an overview of their responsibilities. In addition I attended a first aid class and got certified, so I can lend a helping hand in an emergency. Outside of school in the Fair Lawn Jewish Center Religious School, I helped students learn the hebrew alphabet and planned activities that would keep them engaged.

Growing up as a Latino in a community where most of the population are Hispanic had made me blind, detached from the reality of the world and the reality of the college experience, especially in Santa Cruz. Looking at the world I have always known to an extent who had more privilege than others, special attention, and more rights. I have also vaguely known which groups have been treated with less respect seen as less, but all of this didn’t really seem to matter to me in my immediate world. Coming to Santa Cruz on trips such as ORALE and JUSTICE has made me see, made me realize that it does affect me, my family, and my community that privilege is something that isn’t gifted to us but which we fight for, which causes us to be looked at differently

Although a majority of my family are college graduates from Peruvian universities, few graduated from universities in the United States. A bachelor’s degree has become common ground in my family. I wish to pursue a graduate degree to set a high standard for my future children to follow. My Peruvian and Chicano culture has greatly influenced the value of education. For me education is not just considered to be knowledge, but instead extends to the daily

I am a first generation Haitian-American college student. I recently left you my place of employment to return to college. Both of my parents have a high school graduate level education, and some trade experience. Also, my parents both work two jobs and it's still extremely difficult to make ends meet and have the finances left over to pay for tuition and books. Without the aid of financial aid and scholarships, I am not sure if I could afford to continue my education. I have worked diligently to get the funds to pay for classes, and got my grade point average high enough so that I could be considered for such awards. I am confident that my hard work will pay off in the

On June 15, 2012, President Barack Obama passed an executive order, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), that helped to make it more possible for undocumented students to attend college. DACA’s passing has left administration at colleges and universities with differing approaches on how to support, or not, undocumented students attending their institution. However, there are still holes in the support for undocumented students in pursuing higher education. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the undocumented student experience, discuss how it relates to Mount Holyoke College, offer viewpoints from the student and dean perspectives, and provide analysis of how the director of multicultural initiatives can support

Since my transfer orientation at UCR, I was interested in getting involved with the Chicano students Program. It was the main organization that I felt connected to. Fortunately I had the opportunity to intern at CSP, it has been one of the greatest experience of my collage years. I am so proud of my self of getting out there and doing something for our college campus. This quarter I discovered skills that I had hidden, before this internship I didn’t now some skills that I had hidden. I have always been and introvert student but was hoping to get my extrovert side and have learned that I do have it. I am proud to say that Spring 2016 internship has been one of the best experiences.

My background will always be something that I am proud of in this society. Being a Latina to me is a great advantage and makes me want to pursue the highest level of education that I can in life. Latina/o’s are considered part of a minority in society, even when there is a growing population of them. When people think of Hispanics they do not believe that we will achieve greatness or be going to college because of the stereotypes that are against us. Even Springfield has a stereotype boarded around it. I want to show others that just because they stay in Springfield, it does not mean that they can not achieve their dreams. Because many do not

Through my leadership experiences at SCSU, I have grown into a strong, independent, and courage woman. This past spring semester, I took the opportunity to apply and be accepted to present at M.E.Ch.A.’s national conference about my independent studies course that I developed. I never imagined to share my cultural experiences on that level and have professors comment afterward about how they enjoy my presentation. There have been opportunities where I was able to discuss with administrators among other students and our concerns on campus issues facing students of color directly to them. I have met strong, academic leaders and students at conferences that have exposed me to love and embrace my cultural identity, indigenous roots, femininity, strength, and personal struggles. The education program gave me the opportunity to continue learning in another location for student teaching, which again has exposed me to new experiences, people, environments, and academic challenges. I no longer view challenges as obstacles, rather I view them as tests to help me remember how worth it, the path I am on and pursing, is to me. When I first started my freshman year in fall 2012, I could have never imagined that I would do and come as far as I have. I remember when I began this journey, I said to myself that I would graduate