RCC Honors First-Generation Students at Second Annual First-Gen Celebration

Riverside City College proudly celebrated its Second Annual National First-Generation College Celebration on Wednesday, November 5, bringing together students, employees, and community allies to honor the determination and achievements of RCC’s first-generation community. Hosted in CIS 114 A & B, the event highlighted RCC’s long-standing commitment to expanding educational opportunity, an effort rooted in its history as the seventh community college established in California.

This year’s celebration was coordinated by Yadira Perez, MESA Program Coordinator, in collaboration with the Office of College Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement, Dean of College Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement Lorena Newson, Ed.D. The event served as a campus-wide moment of recognition for the 41.5% of RCC students—6,841 Tigers—who identify as first-generation.

A featured highlight of the event was a panel discussion with Dean of Student Services Thomas Cruz-Soto, Ed.D., Upward Bound TRiO Outreach Specialist Miguel Zárate Jr., Associate Professor of Mathematics Adriana Arias, and RCC alumni María Arias. They explored the challenges and triumphs that shaped the first-generation experience, including imposter syndrome, navigating college systems, finding community, and redefining what success looks like.

Miguel Zárate Jr. spoke candidly about navigating uncertainty and the pressure of being the first in his family to complete college.

“Imposter syndrome and building the gap to navigate my future, what to do next and what I should do next, was challenging. Finding a community was helpful,” he shared.

María Arias, born and raised in Riverside and a teen mom, reflected on her path toward believing she belonged in academic spaces.

“I didn’t believe in myself. I didn’t feel like I fit in these rooms,” she said. “I had to challenge myself and remember I am here for a reason. RCC’s Disability Resource Center and TRiO gave me the resources and support I needed to be successful.”

Adriana Arias credited her perseverance to her family, describing how she remained in the U.S. alone at age 16 after her parents returned to Mexico due to immigration challenges.

“My family was my motivation,” she said. “The people who are hard on you truly believe in you and stand behind you.”

Cruz-Soto, Ed.D., reminded students that leaving one’s comfort zone often leads to the greatest personal growth.

“When you engage outside of your comfort zone, you either adapt or quit,” he said. “I learned more about myself from an Irish professor (Latin American Studies Professor) who did not represent my identity but took the time to get to know me and support me, and provided me literature and scholarship, study abroad opportunities, and other culturally enriching experiences so that I could gain a greater sense of self as a Puerto Rican Man.”  This helped me navigate systems from a local and global perspective. 

The celebration featured meaningful remarks from campus leadership, including Dean of College Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement Lorena Newson, Ed.D., a proud TRiO alumna and first-generation graduate.

“I would not be here today without Upward Bound,” Newson shared. “I hope I can be a testament to students on similar paths. Being first-gen means breaking cycles, creating opportunities, and opening doors for those who come after us.”

RCC Interim President Eric Bishop, Ed.D., also a first-generation student, reflected on his own journey and the importance of support systems.

“I am first generation, but there wasn’t a term for it when I was in college,” Bishop said. “I knew I needed to figure it out. I stumbled, but I had people who kept me motivated and caught me when I needed it. That is what we are here for at RCC.”

He added:
“Being first gen is what education is about. It’s about giving everyone the opportunity to find their path.”

A Campus Rooted in Access, Equity, and Community Support

As RCC celebrates the stories and successes of its first-generation students, the college remains committed to bridging equity gaps, strengthening academic pathways, and ensuring that every student, regardless of background, can thrive.

The First-Generation Celebration stands as a reminder that RCC’s mission is deeply tied to access, inclusion, and the belief that education changes lives. With thousands of first-generation Tigers carving new futures for themselves and their families, RCC continues to build a legacy of opportunity that will impact generations to come.