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Proud to be first-generation

The First-Generation College Celebration on November 8, 2024 is a national event to recognize the achievements of first-generation college students and alumni.

As a part of this celebration, we’re taking the opportunity to highlight the first-gen student experience in our PCC community. Get to know some of our first-gen faculty and staff at PCC in this video and on this webpage! They shared a few of their biggest challenges and supports from their own college experiences.

José Dela Cruz, Ph.D.

Vice President, Student Affairs

• Graduated from: University of Oklahoma (B.A. & M.Ed.); Oklahoma State University (Ph.D.)
• Major:
  • B.A. in Psychology with a Criminology minor
  • M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration and Institutional Research
  • Ph.D. in Policy Studies
• My challenges as a first-gen student:
  • Time management and holding myself accountable to my university studies.
  • Imposter syndrome while at OU – I had self-doubt about my intellect, skills, and accomplishments and, at times, felt as if I didn’t belong at OU.
• My supports that made a difference:
  • My family provided consistent support and constantly reminded me that quitting wasn’t an option.
  • My uncle, who was my roommate, and an OU graduate student, at the time. He often reminded me that pursuing an advanced college degree was meant to be challenging or, if not, everyone would do it.

Vicky López Sánchez

Executive Dean, K12 and Community Partnerships

• Graduated from: Portland State University
• Major:
  • B.A. in Business Administration and Management
  • M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy
• My challenges as a first-gen student: I lacked the social capital regarding the college culture and the financial resources.
• My supports that made a difference: My parents and my TRIO advisor.

Dustin Bessette

Adjunct instructor, Computer Information Systems (CIS)

• Graduated from:
  • Columbia-Greene Community College (A.S.)
  • Marylhurst University (B.S.)
  • University of St. Mary (M.B.A.)
  • Campbellsville University (M.B.A.)
  • Nebraska Methodist College (Ed.D.)
• Major:
  • A.S. in Applied Sciences
  • B.S. in Real Estate
  • M.B.A. in Marketing and Advertising Management
  • M.B.A. in Healthcare Management
  • Ed.D. in Education and Leadership in Healthcare
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Time management and a plan of action.
• My supports that made a difference: Family and friends.

Mistique Vigeo

Department chair and instructor, Foods & Nutrition

• Graduated from:
  • Humboldt State University (bachelor’s degree)
  • NUNM National University of Natural Medicine (master’s degree)
• Major:
  • Biology (bachelor’s degree)
  • Nutrition (master’s degree)
• My challenges as a first-gen student:
  • Working full time while going to school (it took me 13 years to get my bachelor’s degree).
  • Chronic stress and not having anyone to turn to for simple questions related to how to navigate college.
• My supports that made a difference:
  • At first (for 13 years) I felt like I had no supports. I just kept my head down and did the best I could.
  • Later, I attended an Alumni Roundtable (past graduates) and received the best advice I ever got while in school which was “Get to know your professors! Meet with them outside of class, build a relationship. You are paying to have access to them and getting to know them will open up doors you never expected.” This proved to be very true and is part of why I am here as an Instructor at PCC today.

Josephine Pino

Instructor, Biology

• Graduated from:
  • University of New Mexico (B.S.)
  • University of Utah (M.S.)
  • UC San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (M.S.)
• Major: Biochemistry (B.S.) then Marine Biology and then Cell Biology
• My challenges as a first-gen student: I did not know how to choose my major, nor how majors connected to jobs.
• My supports that made a difference: I worked part-time in the Minority Research Support Program and through that had peer and professor mentors.

James Gapinski

Director, TRIO Student Support Services

• Graduated from:
  • University of Wisconsin-Waukesha (associate’s degree)
  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (bachelor’s degree)
  • Goddard College (master’s degree)
  • Prescott College (master’s degree)
• Major: Education (undergrad) and Writing (graduate)
• My challenges as a first-gen student: I faced financial challenges. I also struggled to find a sense of peer community and belonging at school.
• My supports that made a difference: My on-campus job provided me with financial support, leadership skills, and a peer network. I also found validation and encouragement through several supportive instructors and librarians.

Greg Contreras

Director, College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

• Graduated from:
  • Treasure Valley Community College
  • Oregon State University
• Major: Graduate degree in Counselor Education and Supervision
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Balancing academic and extracurricular activities.
• My supports that made a difference: Student Leadership Team and faculty members at Treasure Valley Community College.

Marisela Marquez

Advisor, College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

• Graduated from:
  • PCC (A.S.), Oregon State University (B.S.)
  • Portland State University (M.Ed)
• Major:
  • B.S: Human Development and Family Sciences
  • M.Ed: Post-Secondary Adult and Continuing Education
• My challenges as a first-gen student: It was difficult to stay motivated while consistently feeling scared and confused.
• My supports that made a difference: The College Assistance Migrant Program helped me find the courage and patience to be a successful student.

Luis Castañeda

Pathway Recruiter

• Graduated from: University of New Mexico
• Major: Chicano Studies
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Being a husband, father, and full-time worker while in college.
• My supports that made a difference: Family and faith. If God is for me, who can be against me? Romans 8:31

Katrina Eerkes

Data Analyst, K12 and Community Partnerships

• Graduated from: Warner Pacific College
• Major/Minor: Social Work and Human Development
• My challenges as a first-gen student:
  • Time management
  • Filling out my FAFSA and understanding my student loan payback schedule
• My supports that made a difference:
  • Internet access and MS Word to complete assignments
  • Work-study placement at school library and gym

Greg Jackson

Adjunct instructor, Computer Information Systems (CIS)

• Graduated from:
  • Southern Oregon University
  • George Fox
  • Wharton
• Major:
  • Double-major in Computer Science and Business (B.S.) from SOU
  • M.B.A. at George Fox
  • Executive Leadership CTO Program at Wharton
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Just understanding the entire college process. Financing, Degree Options, etc. I didn’t even KNOW that I COULD apply for medical school or go on to be a lawyer….I thought that was only for “rich people” etc. and I literally didn’t think I was “allowed” to apply for those types of programs.
• My supports that made a difference: I didn’t have any support system…It was just me, myself and I. I wish I had support such as a success coach, college mentor, etc. I literally had nobody but my parents who never went to college and who were generally negative about the entire college thing. I eventually got involved in Residential Life and became a Resident Assistant and then a Hall Director. This was a Godsend to me as it paid for my room and board.

Priscilla Atamian Lundberg

Director, Inroads to College and Margaret Carter Skills Center

• Graduated from:
  • Santa Clara University
  • University of Oregon
• Major:
  • B.A.: English Language Arts
  • M.F.A.: Creative Writing
• My challenges as a first-gen student: All of the other students seemed to know where to go and what to do. I felt guilty because my family had to mortgage their house to send me.
• My supports that made a difference: Living with other students who could explain things and joining student government.

Flamur Vehapi

Instructor and Success Coach, Future Connect

• Graduated from:
  • Rogue Community College
  • Portland State University
  • Southern Oregon University
• Major:
  • A.A.O.T. in Psychology
  • B.S. in Counseling Psychology
  • M.A. in Conflict Resolution
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Financial barriers and lack of familiarity with the college processes and policies.
• My supports that made a difference: My instructors and my involvement on campus with student life and leadership.

mae stephenson

Director for Queer and Trans Student Success

• Graduated from:
  • Seattle Central Community College
  • Portland State University
  • University of Vermont
• Major: Women & Gender Studies
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Understanding student loans and navigating all the complex systems from admissions to graduation.
• My supports that made a difference: Working in Student Life was a game changer! That supervisor/mentor and peer support made all the difference.

Alan Miles

Adjunct instructor, Computer Information Systems (CIS)

• Graduated from:
  • The Ohio State University
  • Portland State University
• Major/Minor: English Literature/Computer Science
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Funding and guidance.
• My supports that made a difference: Pell Grants and stubbornness.

Mitzy King

School Social Worker, Early College High School at PCC

• Graduated from:
  • PCC
  • Portland State University
• Major:
  • Bachelor’s in Community Development
  • Master’s in Social Work
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Not knowing how to navigate college and old beliefs that I didn’t belong or deserve to be in college.
• My supports that made a difference: I had wonderful professors who were encouraging and who shared their own stories.

Damien Adams

Instructor, Mathematics

• Graduated from: San Jose State University
• Major: Mathematics
• My challenges as a first-gen student:
  • The first big challenge was balancing school, work, and life. I had no boundaries and felt anxious all of the time, and I put my head down and pushed forward. I advise my students all the time now to NOT do this.
  • The second big challenge was imposter syndrome. Once I got to graduate school and moved away from home, I lost all sense of myself. I doubted my decision to leave and doubted my abilities and even my identity. It was a challenge that took years to overcome.
• My supports that made a difference:
  • The two biggest supports were my partner and my peers. My partner and I always supported each other in all ways and helped to put our journeys into perspective for each other. My peers were invaluable to find joy when school was always pushing forward and putting pressure on us at all times. Trying to balance all of the responsibilities while also working 3 or 4 jobs to make ends meet was very taxing, and having peers to build community with helped to always bring joy into our lives.

Nereida Macias

Dual Credit Coordinator

• Graduated from:
  • California State University – Monterey Bay
  • University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (master’s degree)
• Major:
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Educational Leadership (master’s degree)
• My challenges as a first-gen student: As a first-generation student, I faced a handful of challenges. The biggest was not knowing where to even begin with the college-going process. The second was helping my parents understand that it would pay off in the end; while being totally uncertain if it actually would.
• My supports that made a difference: During my first year at CSUMB, I was admitted into the TRiO Student Success Services program. I genuinely do not believe I would make it past my first year, let alone graduate with my bachelor’s. But via the mentorship and support I received from TRiO, not only did I graduate but I was also introduced to graduate school and the opportunity to study abroad. My mentors supported me every step of the way–they challenged me AND believed in me. They introduced me to the power of scholarships which afforded me the opportunity to study abroad as a Gilman Scholar. They also took me on my first graduate schools tour and introduced me to the world of student affairs. I would not be here had it not been for their encouragement, support, and service to first-generation and/or low-income students! Shoutout to Dr. Omar Murillo and Jesus Clemente!

Chon Madrigal

Operations Manager, YES and Gateway to College

• Graduated from:
  • Oregon State University
  • Portland State University
• Major:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology
  • Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Navigating unfamiliar territory, always feeling a step behind, and not having supplemental financial resources available.
• My supports that made a difference: Two supports that were invaluable to me as a first-gen college student were 1) having mentors and instructors who encouraged me to be out of my comfort zone, and 2) having been part of a community that provided a cohort of support throughout. For me, that was Phi Delta Theta.

Wendie Siverts

Full-time faculty, Computer-Aided Design & Drafting (CADD)

• Graduated from: Western Washington University
• Major: Industrial Design
• My challenges as a first-gen student: I didn’t know how to navigate the system and wasn’t aware that help was available.
• My supports that made a difference: Instructors that welcomed me and made me feel like I belonged, as well as finding peers I finally connected with.

Adam Clark

Outreach and Intake Coordinator, College Access

• Graduated from:
  • PCC
  • Portland State University
• Major: Psychology
• My challenges as a first-gen student: School, work, and parenting full-time; financial circumstances.
• My supports that made a difference: My coach Tracie Memmott! The support of the Gateway to College & Yes to College staff and programs.

Rhonda McLeod

Office Assistant/Enrollment Specialist, K12 and Community Partnerships

• Graduated from: Portland Community College
• Major: Criminal Justice
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Understanding the financial aid process and learning math.
• My supports that made a difference: Disability Services, Rebecca Vogt, Micki Josi, and the whole College Access and College Success department. This department was called PCC LINKS when I was going to school.

James Gray

Faculty department chair, Emergency Medical Services

• Graduated from: University of Hawaii – Manoa
• Major: Zoology
• My challenges as a first-gen student: Navigating the system and self-confidence.
• My supports that made a difference: Student resources and programs for underrepresented students.