Having witnessed the struggles her uncle has experienced while seeking treatment for a cardiac condition, Alejandra Betancourt was inspired to become a health care provider.

She is currently in her fourth year at Fresno State, and was recently admitted to the university’s highly competitive bachelor’s in nursing program.

“I’m hoping I can be someone that makes patients feel heard and listened to,” Betancourt said. “I want them to feel comfortable seeking and receiving treatment.”

Betancourt and her older sister are the first in their family to pursue a university degree.

“I come from a family of farmworkers. My family grew up working in the fields until they were in high school. After graduating from high school, they immediately went into the workforce,” Betancourt said.

“My family encouraged me to go to college. They wanted me to have the best opportunities for a career, and they felt that me getting a degree could give me opportunities that they didn’t have. Me coming to college is an accomplishment for them as well.”

Betancourt is one of more than 21,000 first-generation students enrolled at Fresno State.

Fresno State’s Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management offers many resources to support first-generation students, providing support programming through the Educational Opportunity Program, TRIO programs, College Assistance Migrant Program and the recent establishment of its Kappa Iota Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha. This honor society for first-generation students provides mentorship, leadership opportunities, academic and personal resources, and promotes academic excellence.

Membership applications for Alpha Alpha Alpha (open to Fresno State undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty and alumni) are open through Oct. 22.

“We are always looking to reaffirm our commitment to and celebrate the momentous achievements and resiliency of our first-generation community,” said Dr. Kent Willis, Fresno State’s vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

Nationally, first-generation students are recognized during First-Generation College Celebration on or around Nov. 8, coinciding with the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which created programs to promote postsecondary access, retention and degree completion for low-income and first-generation students.

The inaugural First-Generation College Celebration was hosted in 2017 by the Council for Opportunity in Education and FirstGen Forward, to recognize the achievements and resilience of first-generation students. It has since been recognized by institutions and organizations across the nation.

Willis said, “Through our partnership with FirstGen Forward and the #CelebrateFirstGen grant, we’re able to scale our efforts to connect with and support more first-gen students, faculty, staff and alumni. We are grateful to the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and the Strada Education Foundation for their generous sponsorship of our First-Generation College Celebration.”

As part of the First-Generation College Celebration, Fresno State will host a variety of events and activities from Nov. 4 through 7 to connect first-generation students to on-campus resources and support programs, made possible through the university’s partnership with FirstGen Forward. The schedule of events includes:

  • Nov. 4: Stress Jeopardy, hosted by the Student Health and Counseling Center from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Resnick Student Union (Room 207).
  • Nov. 5: Arts, Crafts and Goody Bags, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.at the Resnick Student Union (Rooms 206, 207 and 209).
  • Nov. 6: Good Morning Commuters, hosted by Student Involvement from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Students can pick up free food and visit resource tables.

A culminating event will be hosted by the Educational Opportunity Program in collaboration with other campus departments from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Satellite Student Union, with a resource fair, alumni and graduate student panel and an induction ceremony for the newest class of Alpha Alpha Alpha members.

Students can register to attend Fresno State’s First-Generation College Celebration events and activities here. 

Betancourt said, “If I had known about the resources and programs available when I first got to Fresno State, I would have felt more comfortable to get involved and do things outside of my classes. It’s good to know Fresno State recognizes there are students who don’t know a lot about college and what’s available, and is taking steps to support them, giving everyone an equal opportunity for success.”

To learn more about on-campus resources for first-generation students, visit https://studentaffairs.fresnostate.edu/index.html or contact vpsa@mail.fresnostate.edu.