First-Generation Faculty Initiative
The UC strides to send a clear message to all first-generation college students: "You belong here and you are capable of achieving at the highest levels".
The University of California (UC) serves large numbers of first-generation college students: Nearly half of in-state students who began their studies on UC campuses in fall 2016 are the first-generation in their families to attend college. The First-Generation Faculty Initiative aims to elevate the visibility of UC faculty and academic leaders who were themselves first-generation college students. The main purpose of the initiative is to foster a sense of belonging that can boost retention and success rates among UC's first-generation students.
The First-Generation Faculty Initiativeis a network of first-generation faculty committed to supporting first-generation students. They are active in the community, promote their first-generation identities, and advocate for the first-generation community at UCLA.
As the First To Go Office tries to re-establish the First-Generation Faculty Initiative, we hope to accomplish the following goals:
- Greater transparency of first-generation faculty across campus
- An established community of students, faculty, and staff through First To Go events and networking opportunities
- Increased cross-campus support for first-generation students
![](/sites/default/files/styles/header_image/public/portals/88/images/capture.png?itok=0fzf_aYx)
Are you a UCLA faculty member and identify as first-generation college? Join the faculty campaign by filling out this brief form!
UCLA faculty who were first-generation college grads aim to encourage, inspire. They share their stories with new students who are first-gen.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/header_image/public/portals/88/images/student_and_faculty_campaign_picture.jpg?itok=2SYMGIes)
First-generation college student Denise Peralta, class of 2016, has decided to purse a Ph.D. on her path to being a math teacher, thanks to UCLA professor Gerardo Ramirez, who was the first in his family to earn a degree.
I wish I could go back in time and tell myself there is a lot you are bringing to the table.
— Professor Gerardo Ramirez
Over 180 UCLA professors have self identified as being the first in their family to graduate from a 4-year institution.
Check out a few of those faculty below!
Inmaculada M. García Sánchez
Professor of Social Research Methodology, Department of Education, and Associate Director of the Center for the Study of International Migration (CSIM)
![Inmaculada Garcia Sanchez](/sites/default/files/styles/resize_1_1/public/2023-10/70d09f6f-03d9-4a5a-8f03-4e9976175908_InmaculadaGarcia-SanchezAMP2020.jpg?itok=A2Qpp8Rj)
Professor Sherrilyn Roush
Professor of Philosophy
![Sherrilyn Roush](/sites/default/files/styles/resize_1_1/public/2023-10/Sherris-Website-Photo-280x280.jpg?itok=HHzplkKD)
Anna Lau
Professor of Psychology
![Dr. Anna Lau](/sites/default/files/styles/resize_1_1/public/2023-10/IMG_2251-2-768x768.jpg?itok=f5t-40e8)
Kristopher W. Kersey
Assistant Professor, Art History
![Kris Kersey](/sites/default/files/styles/resize_1_1/public/2023-10/Kris-Kersey-scaled.jpg?itok=xgXiEhGd)
Distinguished Professor Chon Noriega
Distinguished Professor, Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media
![headshot of distinguished professor Noriega](/sites/default/files/styles/resize_1_1/public/2023-11/Noriega-Chon_2016-aspect-ratio-764-632.jpg?itok=mO15myOP)
Alejandra Casillas
Faculty, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine
![Headshot of Doctor Alejandra Casillas.](/sites/default/files/styles/resize_1_1/public/2023-11/casillas-alejandra-1205026721.jpg?itok=ldO_a4HJ)
Brian Taylor
Professor of Urban Planning & Public Policy; Director, UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies
![Headshot of Professor Brian Taylor.](/sites/default/files/styles/resize_1_1/public/2023-11/TAYLOR.Brian_-680x1024-e1590084744586-300x452.jpg?itok=hl7o34Ew)
Joshua Javier Guzmán
Assistant Professor, Vice Chair of Graduate Affairs, Director of the LGBTQ Studies IDP / Department of Gender Studies
![First Gen College Grad](/sites/default/files/styles/resize_1_1/public/2023-10/FirstGen_UCLA_Logo_r1%281%29_Page_1.png?itok=k2ixotWz)
Professor Paul J. Mathews
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology; Investigator, Lundquist Institute; Co-Director Neurotherapeutics Institute
![First Gen College Grad](/sites/default/files/styles/resize_1_1/public/2023-10/FirstGen_UCLA_Logo_r1%281%29_Page_1.png?itok=k2ixotWz)
Annual First-Gen Welcome Soiree
![](/sites/default/files/styles/header_image/public/portals/88/images/img_1229_jpg.jpg?itok=2kZhrbyw)
Pictured: A few first-gen faculty at the 2nd Annual First-Gen Welcome Soiree