First-Generation Triton Family Connection

Dear Triton Families,

We're more than halfway through Winter Quarter, which means your students have been busy with midterms and planning their courses for spring. Now is a great time to check in with your students about their academic plan and encourage them to meet with their academic advisors. In this edition of our First-Generation Triton Family Connection e-Newsletter, you'll find some helpful academic resources to share with your students and ensure they get support they need. But we know it can be hard to support your students without resources of your own. That's why our newly updated Parent and Family Programs website is full of helpful information just for you, including a guide to understanding your students' academic journey, helpful monthly tips and important dates, and useful campus contacts. We hope you'll make the most of it, and that you'll let us know if there are any other helpful resources we can provide.

Sincerely,
Margot Clifford
Director, Parent and Family Programs

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

First-Gen Staff Spotlight: Rosa A. Tejeda MA, Triton Firsts Coordinator

What does supporting first-generation students at UC San Diego mean to you?

Supporting first-gen students means being able to support pioneers of families and encouraging them to persist by using their skills to succeed. Being able to support first-generation students also allows me to heal a part of my undergraduate self because I am able to be the professional I know I would have needed through my journey.

Rosa is the Triton Firsts Coordinator at UC San Diego. The Triton Firsts Initiative focuses on building relationships between first-gen faculty, staff, and students.

Stay Connected: First at Muir

Muir First Gen Families are invited to check out the First at Muir webpage. On this page, you'll find information about the First at Muir initiative and the events the program will be hosting throughout the year. Please bookmark this page and check out all its resources. Feel free to email Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Claudia Pena if you have any questions.

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 and gain transferable skills, and achieve.

Finding Academic Support on Campus

College Advisor | Your student can set up an appointment with an academic advisor in their college to talk about courses, adding or dropping a class, and other related topics.

Major Advisor | Your student also has an academic advisor for their field of interest (e.g., biology, ethnic studies, linguistics). This advisor provides guidance related to your student's major.

Triton Testing Center (TTC) | The center is able to assist with accommodated testing, make-up testing, and in other situations where a student needs to test outside of the classroom but within a proctored setting.

Teaching + Learning Commons | Your student can receive a variety of academic help at the Commons, from study groups and tutors to developing to learning strategies and improving their writing. Resources are offered in Spanish, too. Learn more here.

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

Change in your family income? You and/or your student can connect with Financial Aid & Scholarships to learn about options to get the help you and your student need.

Financial Aid and Scholarships Video Resources: The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office has a large video resource page with content for all financial-related needs. You can check out the video resource page here.

Have questions? Connect with Financial Aid and Scholarships by virtual counseling, email, and phone. You can learn more about all contact methods on the Financial Aid & Scholarships website.

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!

Share your thoughts and story! Tell us about your experience as a parent and family of a first-generation student by answering a few short questions. We may feature you in the next edition of e-newsletter. Submit today!

The Office of Parent and Family Programs supports families of undergraduate students. Visit our brand new website for information on events, paying the bill, resources,
student life, and more.

Triton Family Ambassadors share their diverse perspectives, resources and experiences with other Triton families and help foster family community at UC San Diego. Join today.

University Resource Centers enhance campus life, foster personal and professional growth, and facilitate social connections. Explore the centers.