Ryan Dunn

He/Him/His

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

To me this graduation means everything that my family's history has been leading up to. Navigating higher-education was something I had to do with little advice and knowledge of, and quite frankly was somewhat of an adventure. Graduating means I learned how to be an adventurer, and now I have much more to explore in the world for myself and my family.

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

My proudest moments have always been my most recent moments. For my first year, I was proud of just getting in. Second year, I was proud of my campus job and involvement in clubs. Now I'm proud of my grades, my graduation, and how much I've changed over the years.

• What advice do you have for current or future first-generation students?

To other students, your experience is unique and there is no right or wrong way to do it. No matter where you're at, no one else has ever been there in your family, and you should take pride in that. Think of how much farther you can go than you've already gone and just "keep moving forward" -Walt Disney

• 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?

Of course, all my friends and classmates already know who they are and how much I appreciate getting through life with them day-to-day. My co-workers at recreation and cycling friends were my social backbone of college. We always have long deep conversations that keep my life's perspective in check. To the communities in my major, Warren, and first-generation, thank you for those awesome events to engage in (pre-covid). But most importantly my family. I know I only come to you with stressful things, but I'm beyond happy to have you support me through this journey, even if you don't see me as often as we'd like.

• 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?

Of course shout out to my favorite professors that made classes easy, lectures funny, and exams super stressful. But seriously, the Recreation pro-staff are so cool and I wouldn't get any bigger support from adults like you guys in any other context. Thanks for the job, the fun workspace, and the tasks to keep my mind off of classes. Most importantly though, my Success Coach Moi. It may not seem like it, but I really appreciate getting to take to you about high level family, job, resume, and career goals with a first-generation tenure to it. You for real have inspired me along this journey.

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

Well, I'm a sucker for school so I'm seeing UCSD back again in the fall for a Masters in Aerospace Engineering. After my Masters, I want to stay in academia (potentially go for a Ph.D.) in order to do research on renewable energies and carbon emission mitigation in propulsion systems for future aircraft. Beyond career goals, I'm definitely staying in So-Cal, and maybe it'll be hard to hear it, but I like San Diego more than Orange County :P

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Facility Supervisor at UCSD Recreation

• Cycling Sports Clubs Team Treasurer

• Design-Build-Fly Propulsion Team Lead

• Trion-AI Autonomous Vehicles Member

• EnVision Maker Studio Volunteer Supervisor

• Large-Scale Design Optimization Undergraduate Researcher

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Student Success Coaching Program,

• Tri-Alpha (Alpha Alpha Alpha) First-Generation Honor Society