Armando Islas

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

Being a First-Gen College Graduate means that I graduated college. It means that regardless of the extra barriers I was able to accomplish something which was already difficult to obtain.

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

My proudest moments at UCSD were the first steps I took on campus and the last steps I took on campus. At my first steps on campus, I had a sense of belonging, and knew that I had earned my right to be a student at UCSD just as much as everyone of my peers. I knew that I had done what it takes to get in and be a student here just like every other student on campus, and it made me proud to finally experience the campus and higher education which I had worked hard to even obtain a chance of enrolling. Then I took my last steps on campus, and realized I had once again reached a culmination of my academic work. In those steps not only had I realized that I did earn my spot on that campus, but that I also had proven myself in obtaining my degree, and for that I was proud of the accomplishment I had achieved.

• 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?

To all of my roommates a part of the Raza Living and Learning community which made me feel at home from my first day on campus, to my teammates on the Ultimate Frisbee team which gave me a space to grow, and my friends which supported and believed in me everyday, I would like to thank you all for helping me become the person I am today. But the biggest thank you to my family, which have given me the opportunity to accomplish everything I have to this point.

• 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?

To my professor's especially in the Political Science department, I would like to thank you for your work in not only maintaining a high level of education but constantly increasing the standard of learning. And for making the new Political Science and Data Analytics B.S. Major possible, and adding to the program so many new things in order to make it happen.

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

Soon, I will be attending Law School in San Francisco as well as hopefully obtaining a job in a related field with my Political Science and Data Analytics degree. Looking forward into the greater future, I hope to become a lawyer and serve in the community I grew up in.

Campus Affiliations

Cultural and Resource Centers

• Raza Resource Centro