Diana Gabriela Cervantes

• What does being a First-Generation College Graduate mean to you?

Being a First-Generation College Graduate is an honor not just to me, but to my family. This accomplishment comes to show that my parents' struggles are paying off and that my possibilities for success are endless. I am very thankful to have had a four-year university education because a lot of young people simply do not have the opportunity to. My parents did not even have the luxury of having school in their plans. Therefore, I am happy to have graduated to inspire other first-generation students and show them that it is possible to graduate no matter the statistics. I am very thankful for the opportunity to almost graduate from UC San Diego.

• What is your proudest moment from your time at UCSD?

The proudest moment I've had at UCSD was obtaining a 4.0 grade point average. I have confidence in my academic abilities however, with work, socializing and work loads I didn't always feel like I could accomplish such a milestone. I was very proud of myself for pushing and achieving this even if it seems attainable. Obtaining this GPA, I became more confident and proud in my studies and as a person.

• Who are the family members, friends or loved ones who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

My parents, as well as my siblings, have played a giant role in my college journey. My parents never stood in the way of my decision to move out of home to pursue a career in San Diego. They allowed me to reach for my goals and were there along the way mostly through phone calls to make sure I was doing good in school and in general. When things became difficult they were there to lift up my mood and help me solve any issue. My siblings also played a big role because although we were separated, they never let me feel alone or unsupported. My decision to move out to San Diego from the Central Valley later inspired my brother to also study elsewhere. I am blessed to have had an amazing support system throughout my college career and I have them to thank for because without them, I would not have even made the leap to move out. I thank my parents everyday for pushing me out of my comfort zone because it is clear to them that I am capable of great things. I would like to let my parents and my siblings know that my accomplishment of graduating from UCSD is also their accomplishment. We did that! I love them dearly and will reciprocate the support they unselfishly provided me since day one.

• Who are the staff, faculty or mentors who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

Honestly, ever since I took Professor Lacefield's courses I've looked at her as role model. I admired her way of teaching and engaging the class in psychology topics. I aspire to be a professional in the mental health field just like her. I had the privilege of taking three of her courses and learned a ton.

• What do you plan or hope to do after graduating?

A short-term goal I have for after graduation is to attend graduate school to obtain a Masters' degree in the mental health and wellness field. Another short-term goal I have set for myself is to volunteer at local shelters to assist people affected by COVID-19 that have less resources since I plan to take a year off from school. I acknowledge that with the shelter-in-place order this might be quite difficult as well as the six-feet apart rule. However, I desire to help out my community by reaching out and even providing mental health assistance since I am Mental Health First Aid USA certified. I am hopeful that even with everything going on I can still manage to help those in need safely.

• ¿Qué significa para ti obtener tu título universitario como graduado de primera generación?

Ser parte de la primera generacion de graduados universitarios no es solo un honor para mi, sino tambien para mi familia. Este logro demuestra que los esfuerzos de mis padres han rendido sus frutos y que mis posibilidades de exito no tienen techo. Me encuentro sumamente agradecida por haber podido recibir cuatro anos de educacion universitaria, mas aun sabiendo que muchisima gente joven no ha tenido la oportunidad. Mis padres no tuvieron el lujo de siquiera pensar en sus estudios como posibilidad. Por ello, me alegra haberme podido graduar para inspirar a otros estudiantes de primera generacion y mostrarles que, mas alla de las estadisticas, el sueno es posible. Realmente me encuentro muy agradecida por la posibilidad de estar a punto de graduarme de UCSD.

• ¿Cual es el momento de mayor orgullo durante tu tiempo en UCSD?

El momento de mayor orgullo que tuve en UCSD fue la obtencion de un promedio de 4.0. Siempre he tenido confianza en mis capacidades academicas, pero por momentos dude que entre el trabajo, la vida social y los volumenes de tarea pudiera lograr semejante objetivo. Me enorgullezco de mi misma por haberme impulsado a lograrlo. La obtencion de este promedio me hizo lograr mayor confianza y orgullo en mis estudios y como persona.

• ¿Quiénes son los miembros de tu familia, amigos o seres queridos que han sido más influyentes a lo largo de tu carrera universitaria? ¿Hay algunas palabras de agradecimiento que deseas compartir con ellos?

Mis padres y mis hermanos cumplieron un rol fundamental en mi carrera universitaria. Mis padres nunca se interpuserion en mi decision de salir de la casa familiar para seguir una carrera en San Diego y siempre me permitieron seguir adelante para lograr mis objetivos. Han estado presentes durante todo el camino y siempre supe que habria una llamada telefonica para verificar que todo estuviera bien. En los momentos de mayor dificultad, siempre han estado ahi para levantarme el animo y ayudar a superar los problemas. Mis hermanos tambien cumplieron un rol enorme porque, pese a estar fisicamente separados, nunca me hicieron sentir sola y sin apoyo. Mi decision de mudarme del Central Valley a San Diego tambien inspiro a mi hermano a estudiar fuera de casa. Me siento tambien bendecida por haber tenido una red de apoyo increible a lo largo de mi carrera; sin su ayuda, nunca me hubiese animado a dar el primer paso para mudarme. Quiero agradecer a mis padres, quienes saben que soy capaz de grandes cosas y, por ello, intentaron siempre sacarme de mi zona de confort. Quiero decirles a mis padres y hermanos que el logro de graduarme de UCSD es tambien de ellos. Lo hicimos! Los amo enormemente y siempre les devolvere el apoyo desinteresado que me dieron desde el primer dia

• ¿Quiénes son los miembros de la comunidad de UCSD (profesores, educadores, mentores) que han sido más influyentes a lo largo de tu carrera universitaria? ¿Hay algunas palabras de agradecimiento que deseas compartir con ellos?

Honestamente, he considerado a la profesora Lacefield un modelo de rol desde que tome sus cursos. He admirado la manera en que nos enseno y como nos comprometio con tematicas de psicologia. Aspiro a ser una profesional en el campo de la salud mental como ella. Tuve el privilegio de cursar tres materias con ella y aprendi muchisimo

• ¿Qué planeas o esperas hacer después de graduarte?

Uno de mis objetivos de corto plazo es entrar a un posgrado para obtener una maestria en salud mental y bienestar. En paralelo, dado que planeo pasar un ano sin estudiar, planeo ser voluntaria en refugios para gente de bajos recursos infectada con COVID-19. Pese a que esto ultimo sera complejo por el confinamiento y las reglas de distanciamiento, quisiera de todos modos ayudar a mi comunidad, actuando alli e incluso brindando asistencia para la salud mental, dada mi certificacion en Mental Health First Aid USA. Espero que, pese a todo lo que esta ocurriendo, pueda sanamente ayudar a quienes lo necesitan

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Mental Health First Aid USA certified

• ODS note-taker

• Kindergarten work-study tutor

• UCSD Bilingual Research Lab

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Student Success Coaching Program

Cultural and Resource Centers

• Women's Center