Associated Students, Inc.

First Gen Week

ASI along with campus partners from SEAS, SLIC, DISARC, and Office of Diversity collaborate to bring “First Gen Week” to ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥. Approximately 63% of undergraduates are first-generation college students at East Bay, and what better way to support each other than to celebrate National First Gen Week!

As part of the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ community, we have a responsibility to support all of our students, including our first-generation students from admission to graduation! This page is to celebrate and honor the dedication of this community on campus.

First-generation college students

What Is a First-Generation College Student?

A first-generation college student is someone who is the first in their family to attend or graduate from college. You may still be considered first-generation if you meet one of the following:

Your parent(s) or guardian(s) attended a trade school.
Your parent(s) or guardian(s) took classes at a community college.
Your parent(s) or guardian(s) attended community college and received an associate’s degree.
Your sibling graduated from a four-year university.
Your parent(s) or guardian(s) received a four-year degree outside of the United States.

FIRST GEN WEEK CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

TUE 3 NOV 2026

Tabling

Get some first gen swag!

📍 UU Walkway

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
WED 4 NOV 2026

First Gen College Panel & Celebration

📍 MPR

12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
THU 5 NOV 2026

Tabling 

Get some first gen swag!

📍 UU Walkway

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

FIRST GEN SPOTLIGHTS:

Coming Soon!

Hear from students, faculty, and staff on their own unique first gen stories!


SHOW YOUR SUPPORT ALL YEAR:

First Gen support design
Click to download

First Gen support and celebration is more than just a week! Show your proud EB love all year by downloading our First Gen design for your door, screensaver, Zoom background, and more! Also, #FIRSTGENPIONEER and post your love!


FIRST GEN FACULTY & STAFF:

We've created a list of current faculty and staff members who identify as First Gen.

We will do our best to keep this list updated. If you would like to be added, please complete this

Click here to see our First Gen Faculty/Staff Spotlight
Name Title Department
Alejandro Granados Vargas Assistant Professor  Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Ashley Depappa  Outreach Counselor  Student Outreach
Ashley Hanson Health Education Assistant Student Wellbeing Services
Brenda Amaral Manager Parking & Alternative Transportation Services
Brenda Amenson-Hill Vice President Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
Catherine Cyr ASCI, Box Office Manager Theatre & Dance
Cynthia Dispo  Marketing & Communications Specialist  Student Outreach
Desirae Mallari EXCEL Office Manager Student Equity & Success
Destine Lamonia EXCEL Academic Advisor Student Equity & Success
Destiny Jones Interim Coordinator for Communications & Special Projects Associated Students Inc.
Dr. Cookie Garrett Director of DISARC Diversity & Inclusion Student Affinity & Resource Center
Earl Aguilera  Associate Professor  Teacher Education
Erick Loredo Coordinator for Government Advising Associated Students Inc.
Erika Diaz-Apodaca Operations & Budget Analyst Student Equity & Success
Erin Quineri  Academic Advisor  CLASS Student Service Center
Guilherme (Will) Diehl Educational Opportunity Program Counselor Student Equity & Success
Heather Ripley University Events Manager University Advancement
Irene Bangi  Administrative and Fiscal Coordinator  Student Health and Counseling Services
Jacob Francisco Miranda  Assistant Professor  Psychology
James Carroll Executive Director Associated Students Inc.
KJ Palmer Academic Advisor  College of Health
Krysi Riggs  Director of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving  Advancement
Krystle Tonga Director of Programs & Initiatives Office of Diversity
Lesly Garcia Area Coordinator University Housing and Residence Life
Lorraine Holmes  Confidential Advocate  Student Support Services
Marylola Diaz-Alvarez  Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships  Financial Aid & Scholarships
Pooja Panchal  Data Analyst & Office Manager  Career Empowerment Center
Rachel Ticas  Experiential Learning Coordinator  Career Empowerment Center
Sarah Taylor Professor  Social Work
Stephanie Ann Saeteurn RSO / Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator Student Leadership and Involvement Center
Steven Spencer  Athletic Academic Advisor  Athletics
Valerie Grace Amoin Orientation Coordinator Student Leadership and Involvement Center
Wendy Herber  Associate's Degree to Transfer Advisor (ADT)  ARC
Yvette Yarbor  Executive Assistant/Diversity Program Specialist  Office of Diversity

 

LIST OF RESOURCES:

Below are some links to resources for first gen students:

Study Abroad Information Student Equity & Success

First Gen Planning Committee

While it takes a village, here are a few people who have been part of planning first-gen support and events on campus. Feel free to reach out and connect with any of them with suggestions for events and opportunities! Let’s collaborate!

  • Corey Copeland, Associated Students, Inc. (Chair)
  • James Carroll, Associated Students, Inc.
  • Jul Custodio, Student Leadership and Involvement Center
  • Cookie Garrett, DISARC
  • Nancy Jimenez, Student Leadership and Involvement Center
  • Destiny Jones, Associated Students, Inc.
  • Jose Padilla, Student Equity and Success Programs
  • Michelle Rippy, Department of Criminal Justice
  • Krystle Tonga, Office of Diversity
  • Taryn Vicente, EXCEL
  • Kathleen Wong(Lau), Office of Diversity
  • Yvette Yarbor, Office of Diversity