Celebrating first-gen students and staff at DSST
At DSST Public Schools, we're especially proud that around 70% of our seniors are first-generation college-bound students. Nearly 2,700 of our alumni have paved this remarkable path. In honor of National First-Generation Day (Nov. 8), we spoke with three members of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team to share what being a first-gen student means to them. Their stories celebrate the courage and dedication it takes for students and staff to be the first in their families to pursue a four-year degree in the United States.
Salvador Ramirez: Senior Manager Of Equity, Inclusion, Strategy And Implementation
“Being a first-generation student felt like a weight, a responsibility to succeed in the face of adversity and honor my parents' sacrifice. But it was also a privilege and opportunity that I was extremely grateful for and ensured that the opportunity I had was more than just for me but for my people – my community. It was a balancing act of being afraid of the unknown and brave for what was possible. And so much of my experience as a first-generation student has helped guide my work in being unafraid to dream and be innovative for the benefit of all our students.”
Mercedes Blea-Davis: Senior Manager Of Diversity And Belonging
“Being first-gen in my family has meant opening doors for my nephews and nieces. It has also given me a deeper appreciation for the privileges I've been afforded in life. It has been an honor to pass down the lessons and experiences I've gained to those who will follow. Being first-gen has marked the start of a lasting legacy.
My journey has also allowed me to inspire and impact our young scholars, showing them that they are more than capable of achieving any goal they set for themselves. It has provided me with the opportunity to connect with students from diverse backgrounds, helping them realize their potential.”
Dr. Aaron Griffen: Chief Equity Officer
“To be a first-generation high school and college graduate and a first-generation advanced degree holder signifies the validity of how I approach my role as Chief Equity Officer and the example I hope to set for my own children in their leadership journey. I know the feeling of missed opportunities and a lack of access to knowledge, network and name recognition. Therefore, I work to name-drop in every setting, speak on the consideration of alternative experiences and viewpoints and stand in the gaps with and sometimes for those whose voices, names and existences suffer through barriers and flat-out erasure. My boys see this example and, as the second generation, seek out ways to use their privileges to advance the realities of those less endowed with their advantages.”