Charmaine Sunga Lising

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

At first I didn't consider myself first-gen. I had struggled navigating the college system before entering and all throughout my college experience. I felt insecure for claiming the title of first-gen because my parents did actually attend 'some college' as it says in those demographic questionnaires, but it was in the Philippines and it was for fewer years. For a while, I hid that struggle because I felt I didn't have a right to feel insecure about the college system since I had parents who went to college vs other students whose parents never attended college. However, upon attending a conference during my senior year for student affairs and higher education (NASPA NUFP), I realized the concept of Oppression Olympics! This is where we often try to discourage our own struggles and see them as less significant due to other's struggles seeming more difficult than our own. I learned that there was no reason to disregard my tough experiences because someone out there had it harder than I. The value of my personal experiences and difficulties is what makes my college experience unique. This confusing first-gen battle in my head I had been fighting could very much speak to a student who resonates with my position and needs to hear it to feel supported and not alone! This concept was very important to me because I had been denying myself the help because I didn't think it was right to call myself a first-generation student. I was stuck in the middle for a long time. It's a difficult thing to admit and come to terms with being at a top university, but honestly speaking, I had some idea of what I was doing in college, but most of the time, if not all the time, there were days where I felt everyone knew the basics of college and what they were doing in it besides me. To me, being a first-generation student is no longer about what my parents did or didn't do during their time of education that would determine who I could go to for help in order to succeed in college (as in figuring out how college works in general, not just how to pass it), it's about recognizing the need for support from my family, peers, faculty, staff, and school, and needing to utilize that guidance to help pave the way for a successful college experience when attending a constantly changing environment such as the college system!

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

All my moments at UCSD are my proudest moments; shamelessly shameless and happy for all my memories! If I had to pick, I'd say it was overcoming my impostor syndrome and newly learning, accepting, and loving myself for who I was!

• 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 my parents, thank you for being so patient with me throughout all of this! I know it was tough in so many ways, but as always, you have always made it happen. You have given me everything and more in life and I am so blessed to have been able to attend college because of you. Leaving home wasn't easy but I am so thankful to always have you close by and waiting for me to come home! Thank you for all the travels, expenses, visits, and time you have put into providing me what is the best experience I could have ever asked for. Not many students get to say their parents want them to choose whatever they want to study, but mine do and that's something very special to have. I am spoiled by your love and showered in God's blessings. Thank you for supporting me and never allowing me to feel as if I couldn't make it. Thank you for letting me choose my happiness, and thank you for always giving me more happiness in life! I love you!

To Robert, thank you for your patience and love throughout my time in college. You have supported me and have always encouraged me in everything I do! Long distance was never easy but we got through pretty much 6 years of it and I am so glad we got to go through each other's college experiences despite being on the opposite sides of California! Thank you for driving 8 hours to visit me just for a day and a half and for dealing with all my emotional and mental stress from work and school. If I didn't have you I'd lose my spirits when things got tough, so thank you for inspiring me always. I love you!

To my roommates. We started living together in our triple freshman year, and here we are four years later still living together. I really did not expect to find my life long college friends as easily and as quickly as we found each other! I am so blessed to have had you all as my roommates and later apartment mates. I owe almost all of my happy college memories to you. Thank you for all the laughs, support, and shameless adventures! I've grown into a completely different person because of you all and I'm happy to have met you and have you in my life. I truly believe there is no better dynamic than us lol. I'm glad we went through college together, y'all have pushed me through the hardest and best times college could throw at ya and you got me through it! Too many happy times to count, too many more to come. I love you !!! #theboldandbrashtype

• 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?

PJ, thank you for your mentorship and helping me figure out a large part of who I am and for supporting and guiding me throughout my journey in discovering my new career path towards Student Affairs and Higher Education! You have been patient and have gone over the moon in your scary tight schedule to make room for me and provide me with resources and connections. I am blessed to have you as my mentor PJ! (Sixth College Acadmic Hub)

Tracy, thank for being a warm-hearted individual. You were the one who interviewed me to become an orientation leader and thought I was good enough to become one, and because of that open door, I have entered a great world of passion for student life and learning! (Sixth Academic Hub)

Dr. Bronstein, thank you for constantly allowing me to have deep conversations with you beyond the academic scope of things. You have always opened your door and welcomed me when it came to advising, projects, assignments, or simply just company and great conversations. There are very few professors where I feel so openly able to be honest about the college system and feel supported, heard, and not discouraged to share. (Sixth College Annex)

Lisa Linares, thank you for your patience and warm heart! You have always answered all my concerns in regards to finances in the veterans affairs department (and financial aid in general even though that's not your specific department) with such grace, patience, and kindness. It's been 4 years and you remain to be someone I can turn to in confidence! (Office of Registrar)

Grace Bagunu, thank you for mentoring me and taking me under your wing when PJ wasn't around. You have reminded me the power of love and pride from understanding my roots as a filipina! Thank you for introducing me to such a loving and supporting group of more individuals like me and for those pursuing/in the student affairs world! You are kind hearted and a really funny spirit who always makes my day! (Revelle Academic Center)

Lastly thank you to all the academic advising team in Sixth College, and in the Psychology, and Business departments. I am sure I would have made so many wrong decisions and mistakes had you not been there for me and my up and down journey! Thank you for making resources and answers in the VAC easy to understand! (Sixth, Psychology, Rady School of Management VAC team).

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

I plan to pursue a graduate program and a career in Student Affairs and Higher Education!

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Orientation Leader, Sixth College

• Student Ambassador, Sixth College

• Writing Mentor/Tutor, Analytical Writing Program

• Mentee/Member, NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP)

• Member, APIMEDA (Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American)

• Research Assistant, Brain & Cognition Lab

• Initiate Advisor, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity

Cultural and Resource Centers

• APIMEDA (Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American) Program and Services

• Women's Center