Trailblazers: Around one in three Saint Mary’s students today identify as first-generation college students. / Photo illustration by Sabrina Hamor
Celebrating the Stories of First-Generation Gaels
In November we pay special tribute to “first-gen” students. Here are Gaels featured in our “Making Family History” series—from STEM and the arts to business and education.
On November 8, Saint Mary’s recognized the 9th annual National First Generation College Celebration, alongside hundreds of institutions nationwide. Of course, SMC has been celebrating first-generation students for decades. When Saint Mary’s was established in 1863, it was envisioned as a college for the “children of Miners, Mechanics, and Agriculturists”—the working people of the fledgling state.
That legacy has only grown. According to the most recent data, about one in three Saint Mary’s students today are trailblazers, or “first-gens,” as they often call themselves. For many, their journey to and through college brings unique struggles and surprises.
In our award-winning Making Family History series, we regularly ask first-gen Gaels to share, in their own words, their history, hopes, and advice for the next generation. We’ve collected those stories here and on a page of the SMC NewsCenter. After all, their singular stories are worth celebrating all year long.
Building a Future Protecting the Places They Love
A childhood trip to Yosemite sparked Jesse Ramirez ’29’s enthusiasm for the outdoors. This summer, the “first-gen” Gael explored a career in environmental policy at the California Natural Resources Agency—an internship made possible by SMC’s Liberal Arts Bridge (LAB) Program.
