My only ‘inheritance’ is education: Why first-generation college students strive

The Coachella Valley and Inland Empire region are home to one of the largest Latino populations in California, yet for many high schoolers here, college still feels like a foreign country that they don’t know how to navigate.

I’m a first-generation college student who grew up in Desert Hot Springs. In high school, I didn’t talk to my parents about SAT scores, internships, or what the next step of my life would look like during college or after. I still remember at the age of 17, feeling completely overwhelmed with college financial aid applications and applying to college during my senior year, while balancing a part-time job to help save money for college. 

I didn’t have a roadmap to follow, but I knew I wanted more for my future. That’s why I decided to stay local and attend CalState San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus, the Coachella Valley’s only four-year public university. That decision changed everything. 

I knew I wanted to help others who came from backgrounds like mine, hardworking and full of potential, but in need of guidance and mentorship. Overall, college has pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to uplift others while continuing to grow myself. 

Through it all, my family has always been my biggest motivator. Both my parents are from Sinaloa, Mexico, and my grandpa had farming roots in the Imperial Valley dating back to the 1960s. 

My dad grew up in a small town called Holtville, CA, and today works in pool construction. My mom was a stay-at-home mom and caregiver. They’ve instilled in me the value of education and taught me to chase after what I want. Growing up, my mom would always say, “La única herencia que te vamos a dar es la educación,” which translates to, “The only inheritance we’re going to give you is an education.” 

That stuck with me and still drives me today. 

After transitioning to the San Bernardino campus, I found a second home. I’ve grown more than I ever imagined. 

As student body president, I represent my peers at CSUSB and am their voice in various committees and decision-making spaces. For example, earlier this year, other students and I traveled to Sacramento to advocate on behalf of the entire California State University system. 

We shared with legislators stories about our journeys, our challenges, and how much we value our education. We reminded them that we are a true investment in the future of California and, with the right support, we’ll keep building a state we continue to call home.

That trip to Sacramento was just one part of the bigger picture. The rest is happening right here at CSUSB, where students continue to face real challenges, such as financial hardships, long commutes, demanding work hours, and food insecurity, all while giving it their absolute best. 

They’re not just trying to earn a degree; they’re trying to leave CSUSB as stronger versions of themselves and be ready to enter the workforce and build meaningful careers. These students are the true backbone of our region, but too often, they go unseen. 

I see myself in them. There was once a time in my college journey when I was juggling three different jobs, working in student government, at In-N-Out, and serving as an orientation leader. It wasn’t easy, but those experiences taught me resilience, time management, and a sense of gratitude. 

Across the Coachella Valley and Inland Empire, there are thousands of students with similar stories, students who are not just the future of California, but the ones currently shaping it.