"Sometimes, You Have to Be the Change"

By definition, first-generation students are known for breaking barriers, overcoming obstacles, and creating change.

Graduate student Jesus Hernandez is no exception. The first in his family to attend college, Jesus wasn’t always certain that attending a university would be in his future. While his parents valued education and learning, they weren’t able to pursue a higher education once they moved to the United States from central Mexico. Growing up in Marshall, Minnesota, Jesus describes himself as very family orientated and close with his parents. Seeking a college near his hometown, he decided to join the Jackrabbit family.

Once Jesus arrived at SDSU, he dove headfirst into every opportunity that campus had to offer. His busy schedule includes service on countless committees, like those for safety and security, international affairs, diversity and inclusion, and the student promotion fund. In addition, Jesus joined the Students’ Association and acted as a community assistant while earning his bachelor’s degree. On top of that, he holds the title of being the reigning Ms. Homelycoming, having been crowned during the signature 2019 Hobo Day competition in the last year the event was held.

While every first-generation student has a bold story to tell, each of those stories is truly unique. We caught up with Jesus to learn a bit more about the first-generation student experience from his point of view: what it’s like to blaze a trail, break generational cycles, and pursue opportunities that had never before been possible for his family.

Jesus is living proof that being the change might start small, but that the ripple effect of courage, ambition, and support can make some serious waves.

What does it mean to you to be a first-generation student?

"Being a first-generation student means that I get to experience the opportunities that my parents didn’t get. The first-gen experience is so difficult, but worth the sacrifice. With every tough moment also comes the opportunities of a lifetime."

Growing up, had you always planned on attending college?

"I never really thought about college until my sophomore year of high school. I would say my certain “aha” moment was when I was early into my sophomore year, and we had a class discussion of what we wanted to be when we grew up. I hadn’t really thought about it in a serious way until that day when I realized I needed to start thinking about what was next."

Who had the greatest influence on you in deciding to attend college?

"My teachers, Mrs. Jans and Mrs. Smith, always believed in me and my ability to do anything I put my mind to, but also my parents! My dad has a middle school education, and my mom has a high school education. When they moved to the U.S., they didn’t pursue any further education, even though they both value education.

This is why I decided to attend college: to live the American dream that my parents came looking for."

What inspired you to choose your major? How will it impact your future career?

"I’m a communication studies major, and I chose my field of study because I wanted something that allowed me to be creative and have fun with my career.

In the future, I hope to work for a non-profit for a few years before entering a Ph.D. program at Texas A&M University to focus on cultural communication research. Someday, I want to be a professor for intercultural, public speaking, and cross-cultural courses at a university."

If someone out there were considering attending college as the first member of their family to do so, what advice might you give them?

"I was told that I would never be able to make it in a four-year institute and that I should give up while ahead, but I didn’t. I have proved everyone that told me that wrong.

But you must ask for help, find your support system. Having these people to uplift you is what will give you the strength to keep going."

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

"When I was a child, I dreamed of being many things! A doctor, a chef, and a fashion designer… I always dreamed very big, ever since I was a kid."

Describe one of your favorite moments or memories at SDSU so far.

"One of my favorite moments at SDSU was walking in the parade with LASA (Latin American Students’ Association) on Hobo Day 2019. Getting to represent a part of me that is so important made me feel seen in the community and on SDSU’s campus."

What do you love about SDSU?

"I love the opportunities that are waiting for you at SDSU. I know that students hear that all the time, but it’s the truth! Many opportunities are waiting for someone to take them, to mold them, to give you the tools to make sure you feel empowered.

That’s what I love about SDSU; you can choose the path you want, and the opportunities are at arm’s reach for you to take them and use them to succeed!"

How do you like to spend your time, outside the classroom?

"I like to spend a lot of time with my friends, my 40 house plants, creating a family here in Brookings. Sharing my time with friends is what makes me the happiest."

Have you received any scholarships to help make getting a higher education possible?

"I received the Dan West Scholarship, and it allowed me to focus on my competitive journey on the forensics team here at SDSU, but also on my courses. I was working and paying off my tuition, but competed on the weekends with forensics, which made it hard for me to have enough income to pay for school.

The scholarship was a great opportunity I was granted so that I could focus more on my overall college experience and not have to worry about payments or not being able to join activities, like the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, because I would be too busy."

How has becoming a Jackrabbit changed your life?

"Deciding to come to SDSU and become a Jackrabbit was the best decision I made. I have had the greatest opportunities that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else. It all changed my present, and my future, at SDSU."

Though Jesus has made it clear that being a first-generation student is anything but easy, it’s also incredibly worthwhile.

In this month of national recognition and celebration for first-generation students, we here at the SDSU Foundation are equal parts grateful and impressed by students like Jesus, brave enough to be the first and bold enough to be the change.

When asked what his advice might be to those who are considering attending college as the first member of their family, his resounding answer was to take the plunge, no matter what: