My First Gen Story 2026

Submitted by Jose Pepe Lopez, Ph.D.

Director of Clinical Training, CMHC Professor

Going to college was a profoundly confusing and formative period in my life. Throughout high school and beyond, I constantly heard the same message from teachers, counselors, and peers: you had to go to college, and not just any college, but the most “prestigious” one you could get into.

That narrative made the process feeling overwhelming and, at times, disconnected from my own reality and values. Ultimately, attending a small liberal arts college proved to be both a blessing and a challenge. On the positive side, the close-knit academic environment allowed me to build meaningful relationships with professors who genuinely invested in my growth. Several of them served as mentors, helping me see the world—and myself—through new and more critical perspectives. In particular, my psychology professor, Dr. Gurraci, had a lasting impact on me. Her passion for understanding human behavior encouraged me not only to study others more deeply, but also to engage in honest self-reflection and personal growth. At the same time, the transition was far from easy. Adjusting to a new environment where I often felt unwelcome took an emotional toll. Comments about belonging—both overt and subtle—reinforced a sense of being an outsider and made it difficult to feel like a true member of the campus community.

As a first-generation college student, I lacked the inherited knowledge many of my peers seemed to have, and navigating academic expectations, social norms, and institutional systems felt isolating. Financial pressures added another layer of stress, remaining a constant and very real concern throughout my college experience. Despite these challenges, looking back now, I am deeply grateful for the identities that shaped me during this time. Growing up undocumented, identifying as an immigrant, being bilingual and bicultural, and being a first-generation college student all strengthened my resilience and sense of purpose. These experiences, though difficult, have become sources of pride and have profoundly shaped who I am today.

Dr. Lopez seen under "Men's Ultra Marathon Overall"