Julia Paola Nuñez

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

Being a first-generation college graduate is a huge accomplishment! It's a privilege and an absolute blessing but, also a huge responsibility. By being the first in my family to graduate college, I am living my parents' dream while following my own dreams and giving other first gens the ability to dream beyond what they think is possible. Being able to pave the way for my younger sisters and my community is something that had pushed me and motivates me to strive to do better every day.

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

One of my proudest moments is realizing the potential that I have. Realizing that I could handle multiple jobs + 20 units + research + orgs and still complete successful quarters made me feel so proud of myself. I learned to believe in myself and the power that comes from that.

• 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?

Para mis padres,

Gracias por todo lo que han hecho y siguen haciendo por mí. Gracias por los abrazos y palabras de motivación que me dieron porque fueron la fuente de energía para poder seguir adelante. Gracias por darme hasta lo que no para asegurase que yo estuviera bien. Este logro representa todos los sacrificios y esfuerzos que han hecho por mí, nada fue en vano y seguiremos quebrando barreras.

¡¡GRACIAS GRACIAS GRACIAS!!

¡¡LO LOGRAMOS!!

¡¡LOS AMO!!

To my sisters,

This degree is for you both, to show you that the hardest things are worth achieving. Thank you for the endless love, all those phone calls and I miss you's. Thank you for being a source of motivation and for continuously pushing me to reach my goal.

I love you both endlessly!

To my best friend,

Thank you for being with me through the hardest of times. Thank you for your constant motivation and encouragement. I am forever grateful for you! I wouldn't have been able to do this without you, you constantly push me to be better and you never give up on me. Here's to a huge stepping stone.

I love you always!

• 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?

I would like to thank SSCP for all that they've done for me.

Alison, thank you for always hearing me rant about my stresses and for being the one I can go to when I feel lost in school. Thank you for your constant reassurance and your motivating words!

Moises, thanks for being the best supervisor I could've ever had. Thank you for all the inspiring talks we had and for your motivating words that made me feel empowered. Thanks for always checking in and for continuously offering to help me in achieving my goals.

Lindsay, thank you for being an inspiration and for all the wise words you gave to me.

Lastly, I want to thank every professor I've had in my 4 years for challenging me and making me feel accomplished at the end of each quarter. I've come out stronger and a little smarter every time.

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

I hope to continue my studies and attain my PhD. I aspire to work on the Board of Education and give kids from minority communities the possibility of achieving higher education.

Campus Affiliations

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Student Success Coaching Program

Cultural and Resource Centers

• Raza Resource Centro

• Women's Center