Stephanie Contreras will be the first person in her family to attend college — and the leap doesn’t look so formidable, thanks to the mentorship of USC student Natalia Barajas.
Five years ago, Christopher Chavez and his family committed to the university’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative, a decision that transformed their future.
Diversity and academic achievement distinguish the newest Trojans, including a record number of first-generation college students.
Betty Thai earned a fellowship that could lead to a job as a U.S. diplomat, an ideal fit for the first-generation college student who wants to help solve global challenges.
After eight years in the Navy, Brian Phan is a well-traveled vet with a knack for photography who plans to put his USC education to use as a physician assistant.
Angelina Crittenden is already making a difference through the First Generation Student Leadership Program she helped create. Her long-term plan: becoming a medical examiner.
After spending four years keeping some of the world’s biggest planes in the air, first-generation transfer student Matt Mena is climbing toward a computer science degree.
USC students talk about which labels they prefer, the stories behind them and the significance of self-identifying the way they do.
Public high schools and first-generation students create an outstanding fall class — USC’s largest incoming class ever — with South L.A. and the Eastside leading the way.
USC’s college preparatory program helps high achievers avoid undermatching and get into the top schools they deserve.
As a teenager, Jasmin Sanchez suffered a painful medical emergency that taught her to stand up for herself. Now she’s a USC Dornsife undergrad determined to advocate for others.
Though she initially struggled as a first-gen student, Cynthia Diana Villarreal has found — and built — a community of her own.
Catherine Pérez Garcia, a first-generation college student, will continue her research on health disparities in minority populations.
Inspired by her children, Ana González never gave up. Now, she’s got her degree and years of college memories, including a memorable meeting with President Carol L. Folt.
Kathy Pulupa spent her undergraduate years at USC researching spaces where women of color — especially lesbians and undocumented women — can feel safe and supported.
Maria Del Pilar Morales initially struggled to find her place at USC, but she soon discovered her calling in global health and her community among the university’s Latinx students and alumni.
Senior Connie Machuca studies corals and anemones to understand how they respond to rising temperatures, acidification and other ocean-related issues linked to climate change.
USC Viterbi freshman Jovani Esparza, a first-generation scholarship student, was inspired by his parents and brother to become an engineer and give back to those in need.
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.