Brianna Alexis Ortiz

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

Being a First-Generation College Graduate means everything to me. It means that I did much more than what was expected of me. Being first-generation Mexican-American, I overcame the many obstacles that stood in my way to get to this point. Being a First-Generation College Graduate I am breaking generational cycles and breaking social immobility. I am going to use my education to be the change I would like to see in the world. This degree is not only for my family and I, but for the entire Latinx community. Juntos, rompiendo fronteras.

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

My proudest moment at UCSD has to be the first time I sat in a lecture hall after transferring to UCSD from College of the Canyons. The feeling that came over me as I was sitting in Dr. Fred Rose's Clinical Psychology lecture was unexplainable. I felt unstoppable and knew this was only the beginning of an incredible and unforgettable journey.

• 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 friends and family have by far been the most influential. My roommates Carina, Sally, and Naomy have become my best friends, my sisters. Without them, I would not have been able to make it through my journey at UCSD sane. They have done nothing but love me, encourage me, support me, and provide me with a family while being away from home. My family has also been nothing but supportive of my journey. My parents, step-father, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins have always encouraged me to keep going. Sky is the limit. When things would get hard, they were always there to reassure me that there is nothing I can't do. Familia, thank you for letting me follow my heart and supporting my dreams.

• 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?

SAIBA VARMA!! Her class inspired me in many many ways. Like she says, "information always comes at the right time." I would like to thank her for allowing her students to feel like that have a safe space to talk about the many issues that occur in our big world. We are all human and we all deserve to be treated with empathy, respect, dignity, love and equality. We must be the change we would like to see in the world. No matter how small, every act of resistance matters.

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

After graduating, I plan to attend graduate school to become a school counselor at the high school level. I believe the change that many of us would like to see in the world starts with our generation advocating for change and shaping the minds of generations to come.