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. Over 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 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 Community Spotlight: Maruth Figueroa, Ed.D.

Share a memorable moment you had when working with UC San Diego first-generation students and/or their family.
My two favorite times of the year are the start of a student’s academic journey and their graduation from UC San Diego. At the start I get to welcome them to campus and have the opportunity to meet their families. I help answer questions and assure students and families of first-gen students that they “got it!” To see their excitement and nervousness as they get started and then see them at graduation celebrations, it is the best! At the graduation celebrations I get to see them walking confidently across the stage, share their experience and thank their families. I look at the audience and you see their families beaming with pride and joy.

How does UC San Diego care for first-generation students and/or their family?
UC San Diego has many ways that support first-generation students and their families. In providing support and resources we think about the journey from start to finish. I’ll highlight four programs:

• Summer Bridge: helps transition first-generation students from high school to UC San Diego by providing a bridge experience the summer before fall start. During the five-week Summer Bridge experience students have the opportunity to build community with other first-gen students, get acclimated to college life through academics, personal and social development opportunities.
• Black, Latinx, and Native American (BLNA) Family Orientation: our students hold intersectional identities as such we invite many of our first-gen students and their families to the BLNA Family Orientation. Students and their families spend a weekend learning about all the programs and services that UC San Diego offers to our first-gen students to help them succeed. While at the same time, the resource centers spend time with families sharing about what it means to have a student in college, their changing roles, and how best they can support. We do this because we understand that students don’t come to UC San Diego alone!
• Student Success Coaching Program: facilitates the transition and promotes success of a cohort of incoming and continuing first-gen students at UC San Diego. Students are part of a collaborative, holistically supportive and validating environment that applies strengths-based approach.
• Tritons First: is a comprehensive initiative to engage first-generation professors, lecturers, researchers, staff, graduate students, and alumni at UC San Diego to inspire and equip first-generation students to excel during their undergraduate journeys.

If you could have a conversation with yourself as a first-generation college student, what would you say?
You are not alone! I often felt like I was the only one and I wasn’t. As I shed my fear to ask questions or for help, I realized that others were experiencing the same. I would definitely ask more questions!

First-Gen Staff Spotlight: Chrystian Smith

Chrystian is the inaugural UC San Diego Triton Pals Coordinator and joined the University in in April 2023.

What is a top resource you recommend to UC San Diego first-generation students and/or families of first-generation students?
Being first generation at a large institution like UC San Diego can feel overwhelming with the amount of resources available, and at times, it can be daunting when embarking on a new chapter in one’s life. One particular resource that we highly recommend for first generation students is the Triton2Triton (T2T) program — a peer support program designed to help students by students navigate through the college experience. Whether you need advice on what to buy for your dorm or a sympathetic ear to help you cope with challenging emotions, our trained team is here to help with a smooth transition and journey throughout your college experience. Housed under the Student Affairs Case Management office, the Triton2Triton program is open to all registered students, and we are thrilled that it will be launching soon. Stay tuned to learn more about our launch date and discover how we can assist you in exploring the many opportunities that UC San Diego has to offer!

If you could have a conversation with yourself as a first-generation college student, what would you say?
If I could have dinner with myself during my first-year of college, I would tell myself to slow down and enjoy the journey as it is happening. Yes, you can meticulously plan and progress towards the life you've dreamed of, but do not miss the life you're living while doing that!

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

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 & 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!