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Â鶹ÊÓƵ has named Jesus Mendoza and Alex V. Tran as its First-Generation Students of the Month for November, celebrating their resilience, dedication, and leadership as first-generation college students.

Jesus Mendoza, a senior from Laredo, Texas majoring in Management Information Systems, is forging a path as a first-generation Latino college student. Having aged out of the foster care system at 18, Mendoza has faced significant challenges in navigating life independently. Balancing academic demands with cultural expectations, he expresses pride in his achievements and sees his journey as a symbol of hope for others.

"This achievement is not just personal but also a testament to other foster children in the system, that perseverance can lead to overcoming significant obstacles," Mendoza said. "It's an honor to be a role model and inspire others to pursue their own dreams."

Sophomore Alex V. Tran, an Electrical Engineering major from Port Arthur, Texas, also embodies the determination required to overcome barriers as a first-generation student. Tran's journey represents what he describes as a testament to resilience, breaking new ground in his family and inspiring others within his community.

"Being a first-generation student is a testament to resilience," Tran said. "It shows how I have overcome unique challenges and chartered a path where none existed before in my family."

Â鶹ÊÓƵ defines a first-generation student as any individual whose parents or guardians did not earn a four-year bachelor’s degree in the United States. Over 50% of Â鶹ÊÓƵ students identify as first-gen, a population supported by the university’s Office of Strategic Initiatives and First Gen Connections Advisory Council, which lead efforts to support and celebrate these students.

The First Gen Student of the Month program accepts nominations for any Â鶹ÊÓƵ student who meets the criteria, is in good academic and judicial standing, and is enrolled part-time or full-time, either as an undergraduate or graduate student. Faculty, staff, or fellow students can nominate candidates.

For more information on the program and to nominate future first-gen students, visit Â鶹ÊÓƵ's nomination page.