Stern Chats President Mridula Rajagopal sits down with first-gen students Alexa Johnson and JC Arenas as they share what it’s like to be the first in their families to pursue higher education. This episode explores the challenges many first-gen students face, highlighting the resilience, ambition, and identity-shaping moments that define their journeys in a conversation full of insight, encouragement, and heart.

Host: Mridula Rajagopal

Produced by: Mridula Rajagopal

Edited by: Alex Cheung

Music by: Jesse Han