By Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – NOV. 8, 2024 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) joins the nation today in celebrating National First-Generation College Celebration Day, commemorating the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

This landmark legislation aimed to make higher education accessible to all, especially those from underrepresented communities.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: PRESIDENT GUY BAILEY 

UTRGV President Guy Bailey, a first-generation college graduate, is dedicated to providing accessible, affordable education to empower students blazing new trails for their families. Pictured is Bailey with students during the Picnic with the President event on the Edinburg campus on Sept. 4, 2024. (Photo by Paul Chouy)

UTRGV President Guy Bailey, a first-generation college graduate himself, embodies the university's commitment to empowering students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education.

"As a first-generation student, I understand the challenges and the transformative power of higher education," Bailey said. "Our mission at UTRGV is to provide accessible, affordable education to all, especially those who are blazing a new trail for their families."

Bailey earned his B.A. and M.A. in English from the University of Alabama and achieved his Ph.D. in English Linguistics from the University of Tennessee.

Since taking the helm at UTRGV in May 2014, Bailey has implemented initiatives to keep the cost of attending UTRGV low, recognizing that many students face financial barriers similar to those he once encountered.

Under his leadership, Bailey has helped enact:

• Financial Accessibility: UTRGV developed a financial model that keeps average net academic costs low. Notably, 90% of full-time in-state undergraduates pay no tuition and fees, alleviating financial burdens on students and their families.
• Research Growth: Research expenditures surged from $20.78 million to $82.44 million, enhancing the university's capacity for innovation.
• Institutional Growth: The university's net worth grew from $737 million to $1.1 billion, reflecting a strengthened financial position.
• Enrollment and Retention: Increases in total enrollment and student retention indicate more students are choosing UTRGV and thriving academically.

"Our goal is to remove barriers and create pathways for success," Bailey added. "By keeping education affordable and investing in our students, we are transforming lives and, by extension, our communities."

A GROWING FIRST-GENERATION PRESENCE

First-generation students constitute a significant portion of UTRGV's student body. According to the Office of Strategic Analysis and Institutional Reporting:

• Enrollment Growth: From fall 2015 to fall 2023, the percentage of first-generation students increased from 56.6% to 60%. In fall 2023, of the 31,864 students enrolled, 19,128 were first-generation.
• Degrees Awarded: The number of degrees awarded to first-generation students rose from 2,894 (53.6% of all degrees) in 2015–16 to 4,011 (56.4%) in 2023–24.

BUILDING BRIDGES: RAQUEL PEREZ'S JOURNEY 

Raquel Perez, program manager for the Center for Mexican American Studies at UTRGV, overcame barriers as a first-generation college graduate and now dedicates herself to strengthening accessible higher education pathways in the Rio Grande Valley. (Courtesy photo)

Raquel Perez, program manager for the Center for Mexican American Studies in the Office for Bilingual Integration, reflects on her path as a first-generation college graduate.

"It was hard to believe higher education was attainable for me as a Latina woman and migrant worker with limited means," the Edinburg native said. "The journey came with many barriers, but the desire to impact my community kept me striving."

While Perez faced financial constraints and a lack of guidance, she was motivated to inspire others.

"I saw pursuing higher education as an opportunity to break the cycle of limited opportunities," she said. "In my role now, I aim to address the challenges in strengthening our region's pipeline for accessible higher education."

EMPOWERING OTHERS: KRYSTAL MARROQUIN'S STORY 

Krystal Marroquin, an HR training coordinator within UTRGV Human Resources & Training Development, shared her experiences as a first-generation college graduate.

Krystal Marroquin, HR training coordinator at UTRGV, draws from her own first-generation college experience to mentor and reassure other first-generation students and their families as they navigate higher education challenges. (Courtesy photo)

"I'm the eldest of three daughters, and being a first-generation college graduate has always felt like a mix of responsibility and privilege," Marroquin said. "Growing up, my parents valued education deeply, but they didn't have the same opportunities."

Her father left high school to support his family, and her mother entered the workforce immediately after graduation.

"When I had the chance to go to college, I felt a strong need to set an example for my sisters and cousins," she said.

As a staff member at UTRGV, Marroquin finds deeper meaning in her work.

"I know what it's like to feel overwhelmed by college applications, financial aid forms, and housing decisions, especially without family guidance," she said. "Today, I get to be that source of reassurance for other first-generation students and their families."

During college, mentors who were also first-generation graduates encouraged her.

"They made me feel understood," she said. "I wanted to pay it forward. My organization advisor, Marisela Gonzalez, sparked my interest in higher ed because she showed me the impact you can have by simply being present and caring."

Her experience as a first-generation student influenced her professional journey.

"Seven years after receiving my acceptance letter, I found myself back in that same admissions office, helping other students and families with their college journey," Marroquin said. "It felt like a full-circle moment."

EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES: JOSE LUIS TABAREZ, JR. 

Jose Luis Tabarez Jr., a first-generation college student and Civil Engineering senior at UTRGV, overcame challenges by seeking guidance from mentors and organizations like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. (Courtesy photo)

First-generation student Jose Luis Tabarez, Jr. shares a similar passion for education and community.

"Coming from a family that values hard work and resilience, I hold immense pride in being a first-generation college student," Tabarez said. "My parents' sacrifices instilled in me a responsibility to fulfill my academic goals and set an example for others."

Tabarez, a senior pursuing a B.S. in Civil Engineering, learned about UTRGV while studying abroad in Guadalajara.

"The university's connection to the Rio Grande Valley inspired me to finish high school in Texas and apply to UTRGV," the Corpus Christi native said. "It felt like choosing a second home where my heritage and aspirations are celebrated."

Navigating college life without a roadmap was challenging, he said, but he refused to be defeated by the obstacles he faced.

"Understanding academic expectations and managing financial aid required perseverance," Tabarez admitted. "I overcame these challenges by seeking guidance from professors, mentors, and student organizations like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers."

BREAKING BARRIERS: FATIMA MANCIA MENDOZA 

Fatima Mancia Mendoza, a first-generation student pursuing a degree in Business Administration at UTRGV, turns challenges into opportunities and aims to inspire others from similar backgrounds by breaking barriers and creating a legacy of hope. (Courtesy photo)

Student Fatima Mancia Mendoza, a senior pursuing a degree in Business Administration, said that being a first-generation student is about setting an example for others.

"Being a first-generation student is breaking barriers and creating a legacy of hope for others from similar backgrounds," she said.

Growing up in a single-parent household with four siblings, Mendoza was determined to pursue higher education to build a brighter future.

"Education empowers us to turn challenges into opportunities," she shared. "No dream is out of reach if we have the courage to take the first step."

Mendoza, originally from Arlington, TX, chose UTRGV for its supportive community.

"UTRGV lifts you up; it's where your dreams find support," she said. "The university helped me build the skills and confidence to pursue a career dedicated to public service and sustainable growth."

She acknowledged the ongoing challenges of being a first-generation student.

"You're learning as you go," Mendoza said. "But with the right support and community, every obstacle becomes a steppingstone to success."

A SHARED COMMITMENT

President Bailey, Perez, Marroquin, Tabarez, and Mendoza emphasize giving back to the community and paving the way for future generations.

"Education is the key to unlocking potential," Bailey said. "By supporting our first-generation students, we're investing in future leaders."

Perez recalled her father's words: "La educación es algo que nadie te puede quitar" ("Education is something that no one can take away from you"). "He was right — knowledge is power," she said.

Marroquin echoed this sentiment.

"I always tell students and families that no matter how overwhelming things might feel, we're here to help them succeed," she said. "Supporting first-gen students and their families has been my way of paying forward the guidance I received."

Tabarez hopes his story brings inspiration to his family and beyond.

"Being first-generation is about building on my family's legacy and creating new opportunities," he said.

Mendoza, proud of her accomplishments, encourages other first-generation students to persevere through support.

"Through resilience and a supportive community, we can rise beyond our circumstances, becoming leaders for those who come after us," she said.

For more information about resources available to first-generation students at UTRGV, visit UTRGV's student support services website.