What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I thoroughly enjoy helping others settle into their pathway and just being a guide. I always wish I had that, and I want to be that individual to help others out.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
I really value how resilient it made me as an individual because I have grown so much and also learned so much along the way.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
Mentoring is the most meaningful way to process my own experiences and pass them on to someone else. Helping another person navigate the complexities I once faced is deeply fulfilling, and I can turn my past hurdles into their future opportunities.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
Being a first-generation student builds a unique, resilient independence. I’ve learned to navigate complex systems, and I’m turning my education into a powerful tool for social mobility. This journey gives me an important perspective that fuels a leadership style rooted in grit, empathy, and a commitment to uplifting my community.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I love meeting new people and helping them throughout their journey! I also love interacting and seeing different perspectives for each student!

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
I value being a first-gen student because it's something you have to accomplish on your own, which gives you a great sense of achievement and knowing you did it all on your own.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I get great joy as a mentor when I help people along their path to achievement and personal development. Knowing that I'm improving someone's life by sharing my knowledge and abilities makes me feel fulfilled. It is very satisfying to observe their growth and the problems they overcome. All things considered, my favorite aspect of being a mentor is the chance to encourage and enable others.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
Being a first-generation student, I cherish the chance to make my own path and leave a legacy of educational achievement for my family. Being the first person in my family to go to college presents some difficulties, but it also builds resilience, determination, and pride. I treasure the opportunity to push past boundaries and exceed expectations, not just for myself but also for the next generation.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I enjoy being a mentor because it allows me to make a difference in someone else's life. It's enjoyable to share my knowledge and experiences with my mentees and see them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Being a mentor allows me to make a positive impact on someone else's life, and it is great to know that I can help them progress personally and professionally.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
As a first-generation student, I value having the chance to create opportunities for myself and my family while also creating a new standard for future generations. Being the first in my family to attend college encourages me to work hard and overcome challenges.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
My favorite thing about being a mentor is building connections with students who share a similar background as me. It is very encouraging to see so many first generation students starting college and having support to help them navigate it. When I had a mentor my freshman year, it helped me find my place at VCU.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
For me, being a first generation student can be nerve wracking at first, but it is extremely rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunity to go to college and study what interests me. The support from my parents and family makes the late night study sessions and long homework assignments worthwhile!

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I enjoy being a mentor because it allows me to connect with others and share my experiences in a meaningful way. It is a rewarding experience to see others grow, gain confidence, and develop their own skills over time.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
What I value about being a first-generation student is being able to pave the way and set a foundation for those who come after me. It motivates me to work hard knowing that my journey can create opportunities and a starting point for others in my family and community.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I love being a mentor because I am able to share my experiences and support others as they navigate their college journey. Being able to provide a meaningful experience, encourage students through challenges, and see them reach their goals is something that brings me genuine joy. I value the opportunity to create a supportive environment where students can build confidence and reach their full potential.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
Being a first-generation student has made me value every achievement, no matter how big or small. Being able to pave my own path as first-generation students is both empowering and meaningful because it requires determination and resilience. It is also motivating to see how far I have come, and that perspective continues to push me to keep growing.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I enjoy being a helper, however I can. Whether it’s answering questions or helping someone navigate a difficult situation I enjoy being able to serve. Encouragement is another area I like to help in. Everyone, sooner or later will need someone to help them get through a hard day. Being a mentor helps me to serve others in this way.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
I value being an example. It allows me to share with others that they can do anything they set their minds to. I enjoy giving  and sharing my experiences.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I love being able to connect with people from various backgrounds and providing guidance and support to others, especially knowing how it felt when I first entered college. I also enjoy the amazing community YouFirst brings!

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
Being a first-generation student caused me to gain many valuable traits such as resilience, perseverance, and self-advocacy. Despite the hardships, I am reminded of the fact that I am able to pursue heights that many of my family members weren't able to achieve. I hope that people who have a similar experience to mine are not discouraged, but rather determined to keep going.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
What I enjoy most about being a mentor for first-generation college students is the opportunity to be a support source for my mentees. I understand how scary and difficult it can be to transition into college life especially if you don’t have any family to help guide you through it. It’s so rewarding to share knowledge that I know can help their journey be smoother.  Ultimately, being part of their journey is such an honor.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
What I value most about being a first-generation college student is the honor that comes with opening a new path for my family. I also value breaking barriers and showing that success can come at any time if you put hard work and dedication into it. Every accomplishment feels more meaningful because I know how hard my parents and I have worked to get me here. Most importantly, I value the chance to create a future that reflects all the sacrifices that helped me be successful.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
It allows me to make a difference in someone’s life, even if they might not believe so, where they come into a new place and I am able to make them feel heard and appreciated. I’m always willing to share my knowledge and experiences with my mentees. Overall just being able to see the progress and change within their time of me being a mentee.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
What I value most about being first gen is making it out in life and being able to be the first to provide for those who gave me the courage and help I needed to get to where I am. It allows me to have other opportunities that I didn’t think would be possible, and being able to give back to others like me and relate to others is such an honor. Because we all deserve to be seen and give ourselves credit for getting this far.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I enjoy being a mentor because I get the opportunity to support and guide others as they start on their new journeys. Mentoring also allows me to make a positive contribution to the community by enriching the lives of its members who represent the face of our future.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
As a first-generational student I value being able to pave a new way for my family. Navigating this uncharted journey allows me to empower others who may feel uncertain about their potential or place in higher education. Likewise, I can demonstrate to future generations that it's possible to break barriers.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor? 
I want to help other people who, like me, may not have had guidance when coming to VCU.  I want my mentees to know that I was once in their position before and that things will work out for them, no matter how overwhelming college might seem.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
I value what I have learned through guiding my own college experience. There is a certain responsibility that comes with being the first college educated person in your family, and I am proud of all the things that I have accomplished that I have not taken the time to acknowledge or give myself credit for.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor? 
I enjoy being a mentor because I love helping others feel supported and happy. I find it meaningful to share my experiences so they can enlighten and encourage, especially for first gen students because I know their struggles. It's incredibly rewarding seeing my mentees grow and accomplish their goals.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
I value the opportunity to break generational barriers and be a role model for younger relatives and others in similar situations. Additionally, I value the opportunity to become a stronger and smarter person by navigating college without a blueprint. I've made so much growth and I'm excited to continue growing, uplifting others, and creating new possibilities for the future.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I enjoy making a positive impact and helping guide people through some of the same experiences I encountered my first year. First-gen students possess a strong drive and determination despite the obstacles, and I closely identify with the same motivation.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
Being a first-generation college student, I value my accomplishments and am proud of paving the way for my family. I am proud that I will be the first one to hopefully complete college. It is a big step with a lot of experiences that I look forward to sharing with others who are the same.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor? 
I’m really excited to have the opportunity to mentor and connect with others. I enjoy helping people navigate challenges, especially when they’re facing situations similar to what I’ve gone through. Being able to share my experiences and offer guidance is very rewarding to me, and I’m looking forward to building those connections while supporting and watching mentees as they flourish and grow.

What do you value about being a first-gen student? 
I know how much my mother sacrificed to make this possible. Her dedication and hard work have been a huge inspiration. Beyond that, I value how the community has been incredibly supportive, I feel like I’m surrounded by people who lift each other up. The sense of belonging and encouragement I’ve found here has been invaluable, and it’s made a significant difference in my college experience.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor? 
I can pass on my own experiences that I have gone through during college and help my mentees balance their academic and personal responsibilities. It would give them the determination that they will achieve a lot on their journey as they don’t need to do this alone.

What do you value about being a first-gen student? (Complete sentences, please)
As a first-gen student, I value having found my own path at college, even though it was intimidating at first. There is much pressure with being the first in my family to graduate from college, but I still keep on standing and moving forward to greater heights.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
What I enjoy about being a mentor is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in someone's life, and that means so much to me. I also value being a reliable and supportive presence for my mentee.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
What I value most about being a first-generation student is setting a path for my siblings and my family as a whole. I take pride in the hard work and dedication it takes to accomplish my dreams and provide my family with everything they didn’t have growing up.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor? 
Growing up, I didn’t always have all the answers, but I was lucky to have people step in and guide me along the way. Whether it was a teacher, a mentor, or just someone who believed in me, that support helped shape who I am today. It made the overwhelming stuff—like college applications and financial aid—feel a little more possible. That’s what I love most about being a mentor now. It’s the chance to be that kind of support for someone else. I know how big of a difference it can make just to have someone in your corner, and it means a lot to be that person for others.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
What I value most about being a first-generation student is the sense of purpose and perspective it brings. There’s a certain kind of resilience that comes from walking into spaces no one in your family has walked before. It’s not always easy—there are moments of doubt, pressure, and unfamiliarity—but there’s also an incredible amount of pride in knowing you’re building something new not just for yourself, but for the generations that come after you. 

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
When I was a freshman, I had a mentor that really helped me out, and I love to help people in the same way. Helping my mentees adjust to college is very worthwhile for me. I'm also always excited to meet with my mentees!

What do you value about being a first-gen student? 
I value the independence that comes with it, but also the fact that my future is my own. I also value community and having opportunities.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
As a mentor, I can provide the support that I needed, not only as a first-year student, but also as a first-gen student. Being able to help students establish themselves in a new era of life is an immense joy, and I love getting to lift them up.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
I’m incredibly proud of how hard I’ve worked despite many challenges faced. There’s so much gratitude involved in being first-gen, knowing how much has been poured into getting you where you are and where you can be. Without having that representation, it’s important to me to be that representation to other first-gen students; giving them a visual representation that they can achieve anything they put their mind to.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
Mentoring gives me the chance to help others, connect with new people and build meaningful relationships. I also love creating a safe and welcoming environment where everyone can be themselves without needing to apologize for who they are. As a fellow first-gen student, I want to share that sense of belonging and encouragement with others on the same journey.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
I value the experience and the strong sense of community that comes with being a first-gen student. I love how we all come from different backgrounds, yet still come together to support and uplift one another.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I love seeing my mentees grow into their full potential. There is something truly beautiful and inspirational about helping one to navigate their challenges and come out stronger on the other side.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
Gratitude and resilience. For me, I always remind myself of my starting point. That is the motivation that pushes my self-discipline.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
What I like most about being a mentor is being able to be a guide to those who need one. I know how important it is to have someone outside of your advisor or family to speak to about college, and I want to be that for someone.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
What I value about being a first-gen student is breaking the cycle. To be the first one in my family to attend college has been a blessing like no other and I want to continue breaking cycles and show others that they can as well.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
What I enjoy about being a mentor is seeing the positive impact I can make on others. As a first-generation student myself, I know it can be difficult to acclimate to a whole new environment without much knowledge or assistance on what to expect. As a mentor, I think it’s important to both assist as well as form meaningful connections with my students! It’s always good to have a shoulder to lean on.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
What I value about being a first-gen student is the journey I can cultivate on my own without any heaping expectations. I want to make my parents proud; carrying that kind of determination throughout my college journey is something that fuels my academic success. In general, being a student at VCU has opened up several opportunities for me and I can’t wait to conquer them!

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I am excited to be a mentor to help provide first generation college students with the support they need as they navigate the changes that this new chapter brings. I enjoy connecting and relating with new people I meet and love to offer guidance whenever needed.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
I value the determination and growth of being a first-generation student.  I value each of my accomplishments a little bit more knowing how hard I worked to achieve them and to get to where I am today.  

What do you enjoy about being a mentor?
I enjoy being able to meet and guide first-gen students into their first semester of college. I had a great experience with my mentor freshman year, and I want to guide mentees like she guided me.

What do you value about being a first-gen student?
I value the bonds I have made through talking to other first-gen students to be able to help each other, as well as understand the challenges that come with being a first-gen student.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor? 
I can pass on my own experiences that I have gone through during college and help my mentees balance their academic and personal responsibilities. It would give them the determination that they will achieve a lot on their journey as they don’t need to do this alone.

What do you value about being a first-gen student? (Complete sentences, please)
As a first-gen student, I value having found my own path at college, even though it was intimidating at first. There is much pressure with being the first in my family to graduate from college, but I still keep on standing and moving forward to greater heights.