First Gen Week
ASI along with campus partners from SEAS, SLIC, DISARC, and Office of Diversity collaborate to bring “First Gen Week” to AVÀÇ. Approximately 63% of undergraduates are first generation college students at East Bay and what better way to support each other than to celebrate National First Gen Week!
As part of the AVÀÇ community, we have a responsibility to support all of our students, including our first generation students from Admission to Graduation! This page is to celebrate and honor the dedication for this community on campus.
What is a first-generation college student? A first-generation college student is someone who is first in their family to attend or graduate from college. You are still considered first gen if you meet one of the following:
- your parents(s)/guardian(s) attended a trade school
- your parent(s)/guardian(s) took classes at a community college
- your parent(s)/guardian(s) went to community college and received an associate’s degree
- your siblings graduated from a four-year university
- your parent(s)/guardian(s) received a four-year degree outside of the United States
FIRST GEN WEEK CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
- Monday, November 3, 2025, 12pm-2pm - Find Us Tabling (VBT, UU Walkway)
- Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 12pm-2pm - Find Us Tabling (VBT, UU Walkway)
- Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 11am-2pm - Conference Event (awesome sessions, free food, music, speakers @ the SUU MPR)
- Thursday, November 6, 2025, 12pm-2pm - Find Us @ Block Party (NUU & SUU)
FIRST GEN SPOTLIGHTS:
Coming Soon!
Hear from students, faculty, and staff on their own unique first gen stories!
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT ALL YEAR:
Coming Soon!
First Gen support and celebration is more than just a week! Show your proud EB love all year by downloading our First Gen design for your door, screensaver, zoom background, and more! Also, #FIRSTGENPIONEER and post your love!
FIRST GEN FACULTY & STAFF:
We've created a list of current faculty and staff members who identify as First Gen.
We will do our best to keep this list updated. If you would like to be added, please complete this
Click here to see our First Gen Faculty/Staff Spotlight
| Name | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Ashley Hanson | Health Education Assistant | Student Wellbeing Services |
| Brenda Amaral | Manager | Parking & Alternative Transportation Services |
| Brenda Amenson-Hill | Vice President | Enrollment Management & Student Affairs |
| Catherine Cyr | ASCI, Box Office Manager | Theatre & Dance |
| Desirae Mallari | EXCEL Office Manager | Student Equity & Success |
| Destine Lamonia | EXCEL Academic Advisor | Student Equity & Success |
| Destiny Jones | Interim Coordinator for Communications & Special Projects | Associated Students Inc. |
| Dr. Cookie Garrett | Director of DISARC | Diversity & Inclusion Student Affinity & Resource Center |
| Erick Loredo | Coordinator for Government Advising | Associated Students Inc. |
| Erika Diaz-Apodaca | Operations & Budget Analyst | Student Equity & Success |
| Guilherme (Will) Diehl | Educational Opportunity Program Counselor | Student Equity & Success |
| Heather Ripley | University Events Manager | University Advancement |
| James Carroll | Executive Director | Associated Students Inc. |
| Krystle Tonga | Director of Programs & Initiatives | Office of Diversity |
| Leilani Lopez | Assistant Area Coordinator | University Housing and Residence Life |
| Lesly Garcia | Area Coordinator | University Housing and Residence Life |
| Sarah Taylor | Professor & Department Chair | Social Work |
| Stephanie Ann Saeteurn | RSO / Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator | Student Leadership and Involvement Center |
| Valerie Grace Amoin | Orientation Coordinator | Student Leadership and Involvement Center |
LIST OF RESOURCES:
Below are some links to resources for first gen students:
FIRST GEN PLANNING COMMITTEE:
While it takes a village, here are a few people who have been part of planning first gen support and events on campus. Feel free to reach out and connect with any of them with suggestions for events and opportunities! Let’s collaborate!
- Corey Copeland, Associated Students, Inc. (Chair)
- James Carroll, Associated Students, Inc.
- Jul Custodio, Student Leadership and Involvement Center
- Kariim Gamarra, Project Rebound
- Cookie Garrett, DISARC
- Nancy Jimenez, Student Leadership and Involvement Center
- Destiny Jones, Associated Students, Inc.
- Jose Padilla, Student Equity and Success Programs
- Michelle Rippy, Department of Criminal Justice
- Krystle Tonga, Office of Diversity
- Taryn Vicente, Project IMPACT
- Danisha Watson, DISARC
- Kathleen Wong(Lau), Office of Diversity
- Yvette Yarbor, Office of Diversity