Dear Triton Families,

Welcome to the first First-Generation Triton Family Connection e-newsletter of the academic year! This special edition of our quarterly e-newsletter features content curated specifically for families of first-generation Tritons. Almost 40% of UC San Diego students are the first in their families to go to college. Our first-generation students represent every college and every major on campus. They are athletes and artists, RAs and peer tutors, student government representatives and research assistants — just to name a few.

Your student has accomplished incredible things to get where they are today, and we know they didn’t do it alone. Family support and involvement are among the biggest factors that contribute to first-generation students’ success and motivation. That means that no matter how you show up for and support your student, you play an important role in their UC San Diego journey. Our hope is that the resources, stories and insights collected in this newsletter will help you continue to support your first-generation student and better understand and feel more connected to their UC San Diego experience.

Sincerely,
Margot Clifford
Director, Parent and Family Programs

Community and belonging are essential to student success. This section highlights efforts across campus to celebrate and foster first-generation community and spotlights individuals from across our Triton community who share their first-gen experience. 

First-generation student spotlight: Daisy Castañeda Garcia

I come from a multitude of firsts: I am a first-born daughter, granddaughter and notably the first to move away for university within my immigrant, Hispanic, low-income household. Coming into college, I was terrified and closed off, unwilling to accept change or try new things. I would hibernate in my dorm, letting the weight of imposter syndrome take me in.

As I began to finally adapt to the environment at UC San Diego, I started to throw myself out there. I committed to attending tutoring services for chemistry and math and motivated myself each day to ask questions and say "hi" to those around me. I quickly realized how fundamental socializing was to the feeling of belonging and taking up space where you normally wouldn't. Since then, I have encouraged myself to always chase that feeling, find community and make an impact outside of my academics.

UC San Diego essentially offered me the best of two worlds: a university with amazing pre-health resources and a home away from home. It gave me the ability to be independent and have my own freedom, but it didn't make me feel alone or isolated. Now, as a fourth-year student and a Chancellor's Associates Scholars Program (CASP) peer mentor, I am able to grow and give back. It’s given me a beautiful sense of purpose outside of academia to have an active impact on other first-generation college students. 

National first-gen day at UC San Diego

Every year, National First-Generation Day is celebrated on Nov. 8 to commemorate Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. Through this act, we were able to enable the Federal Financial Aid Programs to fund students education and invest in college and universities. To this day, we can see the contributions of the HEA with programs like Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Federal TRIO programs, and other programs that promote access to higher education for first-generation college students. 

Each student’s academic journey is different. This section focuses on resources and support systems at UC San Diego that help your student take full advantage of their academic ability, discover opportunities to excel, gain transferable skills and achieve.

Research Program Applications Open for First-Generation Students

The McNair Program is currently accepting applications for the 2025-26 program, which begins in winter quarter and concludes with a paid eight-week Summer Research Program. The program provides faculty-mentored research opportunities for undergraduates who are first-generation college students or members of underrepresented segments of society. The application portal will remain open through Nov. 30 and reviewed on a rolling admissions basis. 

For more information about this opportunity and how to apply, visit the McNair Program website. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact Thomas Brown at tkbrown@ucsd.edu. 

Teaching and Learning Commons Serving First-Generation Students

First-generation students can access academic and experiential learning support at the Commons, including study groups and tutoring sessions where students can master class content, improve their writing and build bridges between academic and cocurricular activities, such as on-campus student employment, academic internships and peer mentorship. These on- and off-campus experiential learning opportunities enable students to learn by doing, preparing them for success at UC San Diego and beyond. Resources are offered in Spanish, too. Learn more here.

The Teaching and Learning Commons is also excited to announce the relaunch of the Research Experience and Applied Learning (REAL) Portal. Students can explore research, internships, service learning, study abroad, leadership, entrepreneurship and more —all in one place! Encourage your student to start exploring the REAL Portal today and learn more about experiential learning.

Finding Academic Support on Campus

Meeting the cost of an undergraduate education is a significant investment. In this section, you'll find resources dedicated to ensuring that students and families have the support and information they need to navigate financial challenges and build pathways to the future.

Connect with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office

As parents and family members, you are important members of our Triton community. We hope you'll get involved and take advantage of all this community has to offer!