Monserrat Ortiz is a sophomore majoring in Spanish with an Education concentration. She was born in Texas but raised in Mexico. After graduation, she aspires to be a high school Spanish teacher. Montserrat struggled to navigate resources on campus as a first-generation student but hopes to motivate students to always ask for help when needed.

 

Monique is a Biology major with an Environmental Science concentration from Laredo, Texas. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue graduate school for Marine Biology. Her advice to fellow first-gen students is to not fear asking for help. She says, "My goal as a peer mentor is to help other first generation students overcome the same obstacles I did."

Bryan Velazquez is a senior Education major from Coppell, TX. They plan to pursue teaching or working in higher adminstration after graduation. Bryan's key advice to other first gen students is to "not be embarassed or scared to ask questions, asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of absolute strength." A little fun fact about Bryan is that they are super early for everything!!! 

Gianella Flores is a senior Psychology and Business double major from Arlington, TX. She hopes to pursue her Master’s at UD upon graduation. Her advice to fellow first-gen students is that "it is okay to feel confused and scared when first entering college as a first generation, but eventually you find to really enjoy it when you immerse yourself into the experience." A super fun fact about Gia is that she actually has a twin brother!