A Place Where You Belong with Jocelyn

Transcript

Let’s meet Jocelyn, a junior and first generation student from Desert Hot Springs, California. As many students do, Jocelyn, first fell in love with the beautiful Redlands campus, but it was the resources the university offers first generation students that convinced Jocelyn Redlands was a community where she belonged. Tell us more, Jocelyn.

– Thank you, Alex, for that warm introduction. Growing up, I had barriers set. Neither are my parents attended college, nor did they finish high school. I knew I wanted to go farther in my education than my parents had ever gone. I found a profound sense of passion towards my education, and I wanted to see how far I could take my commitment to learning. When it came to the college application process, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, or looking for in a college. My parents couldn’t help me as much because, it was all new to them. When I first learned about the University of Redlands, I instantly fell in love with the campus. And most importantly, all the resources the school had to offer for first gen students. Now, as a current student, I appreciate all the support I have received. Because of the university size, we have such a strong tight community. Redlands really is a place where I belong. Redlands has a summer program called Summer Bridge. I came two weeks before school started with 40 other first gen students, and we got a feel of what college was like before everyone else had arrived. Once school began, we had the option of enrolling in Students Together Empowering Peers, or STEP. We were assigned a mentor to help navigate us through college. This STEP program was all ran by other first generation students. I continued to serve in STEP, and I eventually became a mentor myself. This had been a full circle moment for me. College can be hard, but with the right resources, support, and community that Redlands has been able to provide, I have been able to succeed. I am living proof that we first generation students can break any cycle when we put our hearts, and our minds to it. Let’s take it back to Alex.

– Jocelyn, thank you. It’s so great to hear of your success, and know that you are an inspiration for other first generation students who may be questioning if they can have success in college. Redlands is committed to supporting first generation students in the transition to college through programs and peer mentoring, and throughout their college career. It’s so important, thanks again.