California State University at Monterey Bay has a Vision Statement. It speaks about the need to achieve a more diverse learning environment. Part of the vision includes serving the surrounding communities from which first generation college students come. This project provided us a service learning opportunity in our local communities. We found that middle schools, high schools, and community colleges have important programs in place, such as Upward Bound, AVID, and ETS. We came to understand the importance and effectiveness of these programs in helping first-generation college students turn their dreams into reality. The question then becomes, How does CSUMB continue to support these students to insure their success in college and in their future goals? We concluded through this research that CSUMB needs to implement regular structures of support and mentorship, particularly for those students who are charting new paths for their families and communities. The testimonies collected in this oral history project show that structured supports to get to college, to stay in college, and to graduate are critically important to the future success of first generation college students. The information collected serves as a resource for those who study issues of access, retention, and graduation at CSUMB.

Christian D. Angelich, Michele Cohen, Rito Ramón Contreras, Cynthia Fernández, Jorge Fernández, Tessa Grul, Monica Hernández, Melissa Howard, Christopher Janusz, Sandra Lazzaroni, Cari Maher, Amy Manfre, Susan Nisonger, James Perry, Christin Strang, Raquél Villarón-Márquez, Jennifer Wilson, Deborah Ann Woodruff, and Professor Rina Benmayor