Reedley College would like to celebrate the achievements of those who are the “First-Generation” of their families to attend college. This is a national celebration, and we would like you to be recognized for your achievement. We hope to motivate students and to know that they are not alone in their journey.
My parents came to California in the early 1940's. I was born and raised in a small community where education was second to working full time in a rural town's physically demanding agriculture. I am a product of a culture promoted by my family that nothing is impossible. My family reflects the diverse yet rich culture that encompasses this area of our Central San Joaquin Valley and the students I serve. I am a first-generation college graduate and very proud of my family's endless support, many teachers, and counselors who helped me make this a reality. Working professionally with diverse populations of students, community colleges, and universities comes second nature because I have experienced the same concerns, fears, apprehensions, and disappointments, I see daily in the students I encounter. These experiences have allowed me to quickly identify student needs and have the sensitivity necessary to serve special student populations. I believe and support our community college system's mission and am aware of the importance of offering a valued, quality, and affordable education to all students with a desire to persist.
Being a first generation came with its hardships, but it strengthened my appreciation of my educational journey. It indeed involved breaking down barriers. It was not easy, and the challenges were real, but my focus was more significant, and I knew I had to work harder for all that my parents sacrificed to pave my way to get an education. College completion is my success!
I am the oldest out of five children and I am the first one in my family to attend college. My college journey started right here at Reedley College. With the help of Mario Gonzales, my counselor at the time I was able to transfer over to California State University, Fresno in two years. At Fresno State, I was able to complete both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Being a first-generation college student there were many obstacles and challenges that I had to face. Nevertheless, I never wanted to let down my family, but most importantly, I never wanted to let myself down. Being a counselor at Reedley College is an honor because I can inspire and motivate students in the same place my college journey began. Quite often, I share my first-generation story with students I come across in hopes that they too will become successful and be the first in their family to graduate college.
I attended Reedley College (KRCC) immediately after high school. I attended for three years and stopped attending, one class short of my Associates degree. I returned two years later to complete the degree and transfer to Fresno State. After two terms, I felt that Fresno State just wasn't for me. I withdrew and began attending Fresno Pacific University. I graduated with my Bachelor's degree at the age of 27 and earned my Master's Degree at the age of 34, from National University. As a first-generation, non-traditional student, I truly owe my success to the support of my family. The journey to my graduate degree would not have happened without their love and encouragement. Remember, life happens, but keep pursuing your goals, even if it's one class at a time.
I have always loved school. After a chaotic beginning, my parents divorced when I was ten, and school was my safe place. My mother was left with five children and a job with pay so low, which barely covered the basics. I was fortunate to have teachers who believed in me along the way. In high school, I tried out for our international exchange program and was selected to spend the entire year in Copenhagen, Denmark. That experience changed my life. I realized education was the only way out of the poverty and chaos of my early years. I won a scholarship to a small Liberal Arts college, double majored and finished in three years. I knew I couldn't throw away my shot. I applied to graduate school and completed my first Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. My first job was at Valley Children's Hospital and I enjoyed it very much. After twenty years, I decided to return to school and study World Literature. It took five years, but I earned my doctorate and began a second career in higher education. I have worked at Reedley College now for eleven years and it feels like I have come-full circle. I love working with students and helping them navigate the academic reading/researching/writing they are faced with. Education has made the life I now live possible, and it is a privilege to help those who are just beginning their educational journey.
Began at Fresno City to complete general education while I turned 18 to become a flight attendant. Worked as a waitress; hated it. Changed major to nursing; worked at a hospital; hated it. Changed major to journalism while at CSU, Fresno; hated it. Changed major to business, non-profit management; LOVED IT. Now working on the attainment of a master degree in rehabilitation and mental health counseling and LOVING IT!
I was born in Michoacán, Mexico. For seven years I lived with no running water, no electricity, all of the floors in our house were dirt. My mom and dad had left me in Mexico during that time to look for better financial stability. Neither my mom or dad attended school at all, they did however learn to read and write with help from others. I am the oldest in my family and when I came to the US at 7 I started to navigate the world of education. I was getting the highest grades by the time I was 8 years old in my English class. I had no idea college existed until I was recruited by AVID in 8th grade and found out about this whole new world of education. I ended up going to UC Davis and I did not declare a major until my junior year when I realized how many math classes I had taken and decided math was for me. I then went to Fresno State and earned my Masters in Math with a Teaching Option. Now I am here teaching at Reedley College and wanting to make a difference in my students.
As a first-gen, Hmong, and QPOC within my family attending college, I was lost navigating the higher education system. There were times where I debated if college was for me, as I didn't see anyone who shared the salient identities or lived experiences I had. Fortunately, I persevered and continued on with resilience. I completed my undergrad at Oklahoma State University and aspired to continue working in higher education, so I could be a mentor and resource for other students like myself. I then completed my Master's Degree at Mississippi State University and found my way to continue working in higher education, leading my journey here to Reedley College at the Residence Hall. If you would like to connect for support during your time in college, don't hesitate to reach out.
I struggled with attending college as there were not any examples in my immediate family. I dropped out several times. I needed to work and make money to help support my family even as a teenager and in my early 20s. It took many hard lessons and lots of support to finally find my footing and success in higher education!
During my journey to college completion I had a lot of doubt. I wondered if I was ever going to complete my degree. I questioned my skills, I felt I wasn't smart enough and I would compare myself with others and realize that I wasn't as successful as they were. A friend challenged me to get better grades the next semester. I decided to give it a shot. I stopped talking to friends that brought me down and began hanging out with students that wanted to get good grades, I removed negativity from my life which sadly included certain family members and I began to focus and think about my goals on a daily basis. Little by little I noticed change. I started to receive better scores in exams and essays. These short wins gave me momentum to keep going. I realized that having the right friends, removing negativity and constantly thinking about my goals helped me reach college completion and it also helped me in finding success in other aspects of my life.
Ever since I was a little girl, I had wanted to go to college, but I had no money or plan or role models for how to achieve that. (One of my grandparents dropped out of school in the 4th grade and another one in the 8th. Both of my parents dropped out of high school; my dad later got his diploma while serving in the Navy, and took some college classes, and my mom got her GED.) I started college after high school but had to drop out because I couldn't afford it. Two years later I got a good-paying job as a 911 dispatcher, and that's how I managed to go back to school. I worked full-time, sometimes on graveyard shift, and I had mandatory overtime whenever another dispatcher called in sick. It was often hard, but I was able to get my bachelor's degree when I was 28. That's why I always tell students that it's okay to do things on your own timetable. The world tells you what you should do and when and how it should be done. But the world doesn't know your particular situation and what you've already achieved just by managing to enroll in college. You're about to make a difference in your own life and, by being a role model, in the lives of others who know you.
My dad had a 5th grade education, and my mom quit school at 15 to work full-time and help her parents provide for her younger siblings. I was the first of my siblings to go to college. After some starts and stops, I went back to college at the age of 26. My dad died my first semester back at college. He died the day before finals began, and his funeral was on the day of my last final. I managed to get through all my finals, but the last one. I took an incomplete, and finished coursework in the spring for that course. I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in English at CSU Fresno three years later. Because of my education I had employment opportunities that allowed me to meet and learn from brilliant people, and travel for work to places I might never have seen.
I grew up in rural Mississippi in an area with many similarities to the Central Valley. I am proud to say that I come from a long line of farmers and blue collar workers. I started working outside the home at age 14. My parents wanted a different life for me and, even more importantly, my greatest desire was to continue my education and expand my horizons. I worked everywhere from food service to factories to support myself through college. My college degree changed not only my life but the life of my children as well. To all 1st generation students, you can do this!
My parents grew up poor and barely survived the Cambodian genocide. My parents always told me to value the education I receive in the U.S. I always pushed myself to do well in school and to give back to the community. Throughout my childhood, I stayed involved in school and community activities while serving as a student leader. As Senior Class President graduating with Honors, I shocked everyone when I shaved my head and joined the U.S. Army. I put my education on hold to serve my country because I owed it to this wonderful country for giving my parents another chance at life, which in turned gave me life! It was before my deployment to Iraq, where I found out about distance education courses. I signed up with a local community college and left to Iraq with a Student Education Plan for my entire deployment. Once I returned from Iraq, I continued to take courses until I left the military. I immediately enrolled in Fresno City College using my G.I. Bill during the summer of 2008. I earned 2 Associate's Degrees: one in Business Administration and one in Business Management. I then transferred to Fresno State and earned a Bachelor's in Business Administration with an option in Entrepreneurship. I continued to work and started a family, where I had my first child and was pregnant with my second child. Afterwards, I attended the University of Phoenix where I earned a Master's in Business Administration right after having my third child. Soon after, I embarked on my ultimate educational journey, Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership at the University of Phoenix. During this time I had my fourth and fifth child. I am now Dr. Sarah Maokosy with 5 degrees and 5 boys!
Born in Mexico, migrated to California when I was 13 years old. Was raised in a catholic, poor socio-economic environment. I am the oldest of 4 siblings. Nobody in my family had obtained financial stability or a college degree. After high school I joined the Army, not understanding the college going process and still undecided about my career. Served for 9 years as an X-Ray tech, honorably discharged as a Specialist. Became a single father and wanting a career change I went back to school, obtained my B.S. in Business Admin - Accountancy from Fresno State in 2012. While going to school I worked for the Upward Bound Program and loved it. There, I met my mentors and received the guidance and support I never received elsewhere. Since then, I have continued to work in Education, mentoring and helping students from similar socio-economic backgrounds as mine prepare for college. I love my job and I am currently in school for my Masters in Ed. Counseling. I encourage all 1st generation college students to seek support and to persevere. Find good role models in your life and lead by example.
As an active reservist for the US Navy the transition when I first got out of boot camp was a little disorienting. There were benefits that no one told me about and forms I had no idea how to fill out but with the help of the Reedley College Veterans counselor it was a breeze. Now that this is my last semester and I’m glad I ask for help from Sue Vang and Miette Sasselli.
