First-generation college students gather for second USC summit on higher education

First-generation students from across California recently gathered at USC to talk about higher education.

“Take advantage of high-impact practices made available to you,” said George Sanchez, director for the Center for Democracy and Diversity at USC, at the university’s second summit for first-generation students on Feb. 3.

More than 300 participated and while most were from USC, students from Loyola Marymount University, San Diego State University, the University of California, Irvine, the University of California, San Francisco and Stanford also attended.

Sanchez, professor of American studies and ethnicity and history, noted the work of USC Dornsife’s Joint Educational Project (JEP).

“Do hands-on work in the surrounding communities to allow you to have experiential learning through civic engagement,” he said.

USC Provost Michael Quick, the first in his family to attend college, has focused on first-generation families.

George Sanchez, director for the Center for Democracy and Diversity at USC.

“Students who are the first in their families to attend college have all the skills to be successful students — before they even get here,” Quick said. “They are driven, resilient and eager to learn. They are exactly the type of students who succeed in higher education.”

About 15 percent of USC’s undergraduates are first-generation students, and their six-year graduation rate is about 90 percent — the same rate as the general student population. This compares to an average graduation rate of just over 68 percent for first-generation students at private universities nationwide, according to a UCLA Higher Education Research Institute study.

The study also found about half of first-generation students are low-income students and likely to be part of a minority.

New generation, new path

USC sophomore Alejandra Franco said the summit was an extension of the outreach she does on her own in the Coachella Valley.

“I go back to my high school sometimes on weekends or breaks and talk to students about college,” Franco said. “A lot of their parents do manual agricultural labor, and the kids think the only way to get through is to start working right after high school.”

Franco said young people should be encouraged to attend college.

“I know about the admission process, financial aid resources and opportunities. It would be selfish of me not to share it.”

Franco has considered becoming an immigration attorney.

“Here at USC, I’m seeing there are so many other ways to impact my community,” she said. “I just know for sure I want to go back to my community and help out people any way I can, legally or educationally.”

What about students with full-time jobs?

Edwin Saucedo, president of the USC Undergraduate Student Government, received a student leadership award at the summit. Saucedo has advocated for resources, including a stipend aimed at helping working students with their tuition. Some of those students can’t participate in student activities because of full-time jobs.

Natalie Reyes, left, attends a breakout session during the first-generation summit.

“Student involvement increases graduation rates,” Saucedo said. “But there are persistent issues. It’s really hard to ask for help being a first-generation student. You come from an environment where you don’t ask for help because a lot of times your parents can’t help you.”

Saucedo, who will graduate in May with a degree in public policy, said the summit was a chance to talk about matters that affect first-generation students.

“At USC, we talk about race and diversity, but we don’t talk about class and that’s what’s holding them back,” he said.

First-generation success is important to Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, whose representative, Fernando Delgado ’14, presented a congratulatory proclamation to attendees and organizers for their efforts. Delgado encouraged students to take an active role in shaping their future.

The summit was organized by the Office of Diversity and Strategic Initiatives at USC Dornsife.