Anna Miguel shares her experience as a first-generation Mexican-American student in hopes that other first-generation students might not feel so alone. She shares what she wished she knew when she first started college and how NAU helped her achieve her goals.

By Anna Miguel

Going to college is a goal for many, and for some, the road that leads to graduating from college can seem unattainable. I am a first-generation Mexican-American; my mother is from Sonora, and my father is from Oaxaca. Their paths crossed in San Jose, CA, where my sisters and I were born. With determination and hard work my parents purchased their first home in San Jose. Ultimately, my parents knew San Jose was not suitable to raise a family.

We moved to Gilbert, AZ, where they purchased a new home with a swimming pool–we were ecstatic! Even at just five years old, I knew Gilbert was a bit of a culture shock for all of us, and being first-generation came with its struggles. My sisters and I had to translate at parent-teacher meetings, translate paperwork, and translate at doctor appointments, which was, at times, a very stressful experience. I grew up with severe anxiety, which would get in the way of being a successful student. I never felt that I was as smart as the other kids, and honestly, at the time, I blamed it on being a first-generation student.

In high school, my anxiety only got worse because of the stress of teenage problems. My parents would constantly remind us how important school is and that we are blessed to have the opportunity to receive an education. For years, I saw how hard my dad worked in construction, in the AZ heat, and I swear–I never heard the man complain about having to go to work. His work ethic was instilled in me, and I got my first job as soon as I was old enough to work. During my senior year, I worked 39.5 hours a week while trying to keep up with school work. It was difficult to balance, but I got by and received a couple of promotions at work. In the blink of an eye, it was almost graduation time, and I knew I had to go to college, but there were no college savings.

In Spring 2014, I enrolled at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC); honestly, it was the most affordable option while I tried to figure out what I wanted to do. My sister was doing the same and we leaned on each other often, navigating through the struggles of being first-generation Mexican-Americans. After a few semesters, I chose to pursue a business degree. While many high school classmates were celebrating their college graduation, I was still in community college. There was quite a bit of shame that I struggled with, yet—I found it difficult to ask for help. I recall that whenever I met someone new, I would hope they would not ask about school. I felt ashamed of being at a community college and not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. There is a constant societal pressure to have everything figured out and attend the 4-year university at whatever expense, but that was not for me. My older sister mentioned that CGCC and Northern Arizona University (NAU) had great programs that would allow me to easily transfer. I spoke with a wonderful advisor from NAU, and for the first time, I felt relieved and knew I would be finally transferring to a university. The 2NAU Pathway Program was clear and allowed for a smooth transition which helped with my anxiety.

From the start, I had a great experience with NAU and knew it was the right choice. I chose to pursue the BBA program online so that I can continue to work. I was afraid I would not do well, and my habit of letting my anxiety consume me would cause me to struggle and never graduate. NAU turned out to be the best decision I could have made. The professors want to see all students succeed, and I never felt hesitant to ask for help. The professors at NAU have all been approachable and willing to do whatever they can to provide support. I have learned what works best for me and even made Dean’s list at NAU! The thought of school has given me anxiety since day one, and it was a recurring trend throughout my entire school career. I used to feel ashamed of being different, but now I can appreciate those difficult experiences because they helped me become who I am today. I do not blame my parents–if anything, there are no words to describe how proud I am that my parents came to this country with nothing, did not know the language, and put themselves in uncomfortable situations to learn and grow. Looking back, I wish I had realized sooner how many resources, scholarships, and help there is for students like me; I wish I had reached out for help.

I will finally be graduating in the Fall of 2022; I thought long and hard about whether or not I was going to attend the graduation ceremony. I once told someone I felt I had to partake in the ceremony because it is the least I owe my parents. That person told me my parents were irrelevant and I should walk for ME. I have thought about this quite a bit, and it inspired me to write this blog about myself. My walk across the stage will signify my accomplishments as well as my parent’s strenuous efforts and sacrifices to get me to that moment. NAU has helped me become more confident in myself, allowing me to achieve my goals and make my parents and family proud. Thank you, NAU!