Dorsa Vartabi Kashanian

She/Her/Hers

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

Being a first generation graduate means that my mom was successful in achieving her goal of providing me the support I needed to attend a four year university and to graduate.

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

My proudest moment was enrolling in a course I knew would be difficult for me and overcoming reservations I had in order to succeed and pass the course with a good grade.

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

You belong here and you are not alone. You have the strength and support to succeed.

• 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 family (my mom, grandpa, sister, and of course my fiancé) has always been my strongest support throughout my four years. I would not be at this point it wasn’t for them.

• 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?

All of my professors! Literally all of them have influenced and shaped me in some way into being who I am today. Every lecture I have attended has been meaningful for me and I am grateful for the outstanding and driven professors that I had the honor to learn from.

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

I plan to keep learning and growing and to have a career that helps others in a meaningful way.