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Breaking Barriers: First-Generation Students Share Their Path to Success and Interview with Southwestern College President Dr. Mark Sanchez
In this episode of Dreaming Big, Working Hard, host David Alvarez sits down with three incredible first-generation college students from Southwestern College in San Diego. Hear their real stories of resilience, hope, and community as they navigate higher education — from immigrant beginnings and foster care to transferring to top universities like UC San Diego and San Francisco State.
Discover how mentorship, community college programs like EOPS, Guardian Scholars, and First Year Experience (FYE) helped them overcome fear, financial hardship, and self-doubt to achieve success.
David also sits down with Southwestern College President Dr. Mark Sanchez to explore how rising housing costs are pushing U.S. students to seek opportunities in Mexico. Learn about innovative binational education programs, affordable tuition options, and how Southwestern College is breaking down barriers for students on both sides of the border.
Subscribe for more conversations about education, opportunity, and what it really means to dream big and work hard.
Here some notable moments from the show:
00:00 – 00:00:27 | Opening Reflection — Overcoming the Odds
00:00:38 – 00:01:04 | Host Introduction — Welcome to “Dreaming Big, Working Hard”
00:01:04 – 00:02:05 | Why First-Gen Stories Still Matter
00:02:05 – 00:02:24 | Meet the Guests
00:02:24 – 00:05:15 | Jose’s Journey — From Tijuana to UC San Diego
00:05:15 – 00:06:23 | Building a Supportive College Community
00:06:23 – 00:07:04 | Mentorship and Guidance — Finding the Right Path
00:07:04 – 00:08:44 | Oscar’s Story — Balancing Online Learning and Double Majors
00:08:44 – 00:09:06 | Introducing Hosea — The Foster Youth Perspective
00:09:06 – 00:10:33 | Finding Purpose Through Adversity
00:10:33 – 00:11:11 | The Power of Mentorship and Pivotal Moments
00:11:11 – 00:17:18 | The “Click” Moment — Deciding to Go to College
00:17:18 – 00:20:29 | Oscar’s Turning Point — Inspired by Teachers and Parents
00:20:29 – 00:22:02 | Diana’s Motivation — From Fear to Ambition
00:22:02 – 00:24:07 | Challenges of Today’s Students
00:24:07 – 00:27:06 | Support Systems That Make a Difference
00:27:06 – 00:30:27 | Giving Back Through Mentorship
00:30:27 – 00:36:59 | Hosea’s Story — Finding Faith and Opportunity
00:36:59 – 00:38:58 | Investing in Students — Why Programs Matter
00:38:58 – 00:39:56 | Final Thoughts — Hope, Gratitude, and Paying It Forward
00:39:56 – 00:40:04 | Break Time
00:52:49 – 00:53:27 | Closing Message from David Alvarez
00:53:27 – 00:53:55 | Outro & Credits
39:15 – Outro & Call to Action: Dream Big, Work Hard
HASHTAGS:
#FirstGen #CommunityCollege #EducationInspiration #DreamBigWorkHard #DavidAlvarez #SouthwesternCollege #HigherEducation #SanDiego #Tijuana #BorderEducation #SouthwesternCollege #CommunityCollege #BilingualEducation #CaliforniaEducation #BorderCommunity #AD80 #SanDiegoEducation #ChulaVista #NationalCity #BarrioLogan #DreamingBigWorkingHard #TeamAlvarez #CrossBorderEducation #MexicoEducation #GlobalEducation #BiNationalRegion
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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By Assemblymember David AlvarezIn this episode of Dreaming Big, Working Hard, host David Alvarez sits down with three incredible first-generation college students from Southwestern College in San Diego. Hear their real stories of resilience, hope, and community as they navigate higher education — from immigrant beginnings and foster care to transferring to top universities like UC San Diego and San Francisco State.
Discover how mentorship, community college programs like EOPS, Guardian Scholars, and First Year Experience (FYE) helped them overcome fear, financial hardship, and self-doubt to achieve success.
David also sits down with Southwestern College President Dr. Mark Sanchez to explore how rising housing costs are pushing U.S. students to seek opportunities in Mexico. Learn about innovative binational education programs, affordable tuition options, and how Southwestern College is breaking down barriers for students on both sides of the border.
Subscribe for more conversations about education, opportunity, and what it really means to dream big and work hard.
Here some notable moments from the show:
00:00 – 00:00:27 | Opening Reflection — Overcoming the Odds
00:00:38 – 00:01:04 | Host Introduction — Welcome to “Dreaming Big, Working Hard”
00:01:04 – 00:02:05 | Why First-Gen Stories Still Matter
00:02:05 – 00:02:24 | Meet the Guests
00:02:24 – 00:05:15 | Jose’s Journey — From Tijuana to UC San Diego
00:05:15 – 00:06:23 | Building a Supportive College Community
00:06:23 – 00:07:04 | Mentorship and Guidance — Finding the Right Path
00:07:04 – 00:08:44 | Oscar’s Story — Balancing Online Learning and Double Majors
00:08:44 – 00:09:06 | Introducing Hosea — The Foster Youth Perspective
00:09:06 – 00:10:33 | Finding Purpose Through Adversity
00:10:33 – 00:11:11 | The Power of Mentorship and Pivotal Moments
00:11:11 – 00:17:18 | The “Click” Moment — Deciding to Go to College
00:17:18 – 00:20:29 | Oscar’s Turning Point — Inspired by Teachers and Parents
00:20:29 – 00:22:02 | Diana’s Motivation — From Fear to Ambition
00:22:02 – 00:24:07 | Challenges of Today’s Students
00:24:07 – 00:27:06 | Support Systems That Make a Difference
00:27:06 – 00:30:27 | Giving Back Through Mentorship
00:30:27 – 00:36:59 | Hosea’s Story — Finding Faith and Opportunity
00:36:59 – 00:38:58 | Investing in Students — Why Programs Matter
00:38:58 – 00:39:56 | Final Thoughts — Hope, Gratitude, and Paying It Forward
00:39:56 – 00:40:04 | Break Time
00:52:49 – 00:53:27 | Closing Message from David Alvarez
00:53:27 – 00:53:55 | Outro & Credits
39:15 – Outro & Call to Action: Dream Big, Work Hard
HASHTAGS:
#FirstGen #CommunityCollege #EducationInspiration #DreamBigWorkHard #DavidAlvarez #SouthwesternCollege #HigherEducation #SanDiego #Tijuana #BorderEducation #SouthwesternCollege #CommunityCollege #BilingualEducation #CaliforniaEducation #BorderCommunity #AD80 #SanDiegoEducation #ChulaVista #NationalCity #BarrioLogan #DreamingBigWorkingHard #TeamAlvarez #CrossBorderEducation #MexicoEducation #GlobalEducation #BiNationalRegion
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.