Stephen Hoefler

He/Him/His

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

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In a certain sense, graduation can represent that first step. For me, graduating with a degree from UC San Diego "breaks the pattern" and puts me and my family on a different trajectory.

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

My participation as a clinic coordinator for Health Frontiers in Tijuana is likely the most significant work I accomplished at UC San Diego. This program permitted exploration of entirely new experiences outside my major and grounded all experiences moving forward.

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

We're all shaped by the experiences we faced to reach this point. Remember those experiences and take pride knowing you made it against the odds. Most won't face the barriers that you have so when the going gets difficult, dig deep and remember that you've scaled bigger hills in the past and that upon reaching the top of this mountain, other higher mountains can be seen in the distance. You'll reach those mountains if you believe in yourself and remember to put one foot in front of the other. Move towards them with integrity and reverence for those that supported you in your 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?

As an older, non-traditional and first generation student, I've felt at times a bit like a square peg in a round hole. Most of my support comes from my close friends in the student organizations I spent my time with (HFiT and TNT for pre-health) and some friends I've picked up along the way. Thank you everyone for creating a fantastic and supportive community.

• 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?

Special thanks go out to Dr. Jose Luis Burgos and Dr. Victoria Ojeda of the Health Frontiers in Tijuana program with whom I worked closely with in the summer of 2019 during the McNair Scholars Program. Other thanks go out to Jessica Kongthong of the Career Center with whom I worked closely over the last 3 years as the vice president of Transfers and Non Traditions for Pre-Health. Finally thanks are due for those professors who structured their course in such a way to promote a supportive and friendly environment for the older non-traditional student navigating this space.

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

I've already moved back to my Northern California home and will be working as an Emergency Room Technician at Stanford Hospital. For your sake, I hope I don't see you! I will be taking a gap year and will begin applications for graduate school (M.D / P.A. / M.S.N ) within the next year. I also plan to have a much better work-life balance and enjoy some time backpacking, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, etc. Happy Trails!

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Thurgood Marshall College Student Council - Transfer Student Representative

• Health Frontiers in Tijuana - Clinic Coordinator

• Transfers and Non-traditionals for Pre-Health - Vice President

• Mustard Seed Project, Flying Samaritans

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Academic Enrichment Programs - McNair Fellowship

• Triton Transfer Hub