Parents and graduating students from South and East L.A. shared breakfast and reminisced about their seven-year path through USC’s premier college prep program.
Juan Pablo de los Rios grew up on both the Mexican and American sides of the Rio Grande, which became a dumping ground for toxic waste. As a chemistry grad student at USC Dornsife, he hopes to one day clean that river and others like it.
Among incoming students, 1 in 4 had perfect grades in high school and over 15% are first-generation.
Emphasizing teamwork and community can help low-income and first-generation college students feel like they belong, according to research by USC’s Sarah Townsend and colleagues.
International travel, field research and community service projects are accessible to first-generation students at USC through the Fisher Fellowship program.
Though Anthony Ball is only a high school senior, he’s already an integral part of a USC research team. His next stop? Dartmouth College on a full scholarship.
Born in Vietnam to parents with fifth-grade educations, Amy Nham was taught that learning is the way out of poverty. As one of the first students to graduate from USC with the dual PharmD/MPH degree, she plans to use her skills to help those in real need.
Toni Atieh came to America only knowing two words in English: “hi” and “bye.” Now he’s finishing his freshman year at USC.
Giovanni Flores has long been interested in space. The university’s ROTC program has put it within his reach.
The $3 million gift from alumnus John Molina endows the C. David Molina First Generation Professionals Program, named in honor of John Molina’s father, and a scholarship fund.
Undergrads and alumni meet up regularly to polish resumes, practice networking skills and bond over shared first-gen experiences through a USC Career Center initiative.
Seeing her mom and dad work tough jobs to survive motivates USC Mork Scholar Jacqueline Martinez to provide them and others in similar circumstances with a better life.
Saianna Smith found her calling thanks to encouragement from teachers and mentors. Now the USC master’s student is helping others follow in her footsteps.
Proud parents take a rare day off to share a milestone as their son moves in at college.
Aimee Bravo discusses her time in the military and her vision for curbing substance use among service members by increasing access to mental health resources on military bases.
More students say “yes” than ever before; 1 in 4 have perfect grade-point averages and 17 percent are first-generation.
USC is increasing resources for students in their family’s first generation to attend college, including support with academic planning and making social connections.
The USC junior wouldn’t be in college without financial aid. Now the governor has named her a post where she can help others in the same position.
The new leader wants to help other first-generation students find their place in the Trojan Family.
Chemistry whiz Ryan Lopez wants to become the role model he never had growing up in South Los Angeles.
Milly Rodriguez assured them she would become the first in her family to graduate from college. And she’s sticking to that vow.
By going into medicine, Andrew Homere realized he could help people who thought medical school wasn’t an option.
His interest in medicine and social justice was influenced by a lack of equitable health resources for minorities.
Students and educators from across the state gather to focus on students who are the “epitome of the American dream.”