Any first generation college student can attest to the importance of mentorship in supporting them through the college years. For first generation college students in particular, the first year of college can be an intense source of culture shock and students can struggle in ways they never have before. From being responsible for one’s finances and making a semester of financial aid last that long, to having to be one of the few people of color within large classes and seminar, it takes time to get used to being in a college environment.

The Richmond Promise is a scholarship program in the city of Richmond designed to support Richmond alumni through these exact times. The scholarship program provides access to a financial scholarship to meet educational expenses, along with the training and mentorship necessary to achieve true college success. For first generation college students, financial hardships are prevalent for sure, but it’s also important to equip them with the support and training to have them achieve independence in higher education. These students then have the empowerment to pave the way for generations that will follow them.

Most recently, the scholarship program has partnered with Americorps VISTA to have current college students from Richmond supporting incoming college freshmen, according to a recent article published in The Richmond Standard. There is immeasurable power in having Richmond alumni supporting graduating seniors in their transitions to college in the fall. There’s power in having young people from the same community supporting one another in the unique transition that it is the first year of college and all the challenges and experiences that come with it.

Being the first person in my family to attend college came with exploring a world that was unknown to me. Reflecting back to my experience as a first generation college freshman in 2013, it was definitely the mentors in my life who took me under their wing that year, that motivated me enough to surpass the challenges I faced and push through. The first year of college is such a trying time for students and as people who have made it through these systems and institutions that were not designed for us, we need to pave the way for the generations following us.

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Daniela Felix

Daniela is a first generation college student who is heavily involved in education in her home district, West Contra Costa Unified. After becoming a mother at a young age, Daniela’s passion for education justice only intensified and she began to fight for an equitable education for all children, regardless of background or zip code. Daniela played a key role in organizing parents with the California Charter Schools Association and is a firm believer in school choice for all families. She is currently a Lead Organizer with Students for Education Reform, organizing college students around education justice issues in her home district. She was recently accepted into Teach for America and plans to continue impacting the lives of children in her hometown of Richmond, CA as a high school social studies teacher. Daniela is a UC Berkeley senior pursuing her B.A. in Legal Studies and Education along with her 4 year old daughter and husband. Daniela is a firm believer in that every single child is capable of meeting high expectations if given the correct support. Daniela hopes to be a provider of that support.

Latest posts by Daniela Felix (see all)

• The Importance of Mid Year Data for Teachers, Students, and Families - December 18, 2019
• Las Familias Deben Participar en la Mejora de los Resultados de las Pruebas SBAC de California - December 10, 2019
• La Guia de los Aprendices de Inglés de California es un Recurso Útil para los Maestros - December 4, 2019
• California’s English Learner Roadmap Is a Helpful Resource for Teachers - December 2, 2019
• Families Need To Be Involved in Improving California’s SBAC Test Results - November 27, 2019