Interviewers: Lux Darkbloom and Jimena Prieto Andrew
Interview Subject: Jesse Leyva

Lux: Let’s start out with some basics. Could you please introduce yourself and just tell us a little bit about your background, like if you have siblings, when you were born, hobbies, stuff like that?

Jesse: Yeah, great. My name is Jesse. I’m currently a second-year here at the university. A little bit about my background: I come from an immigrant family. I’m originally from San Diego, but living here in Utah now. I come from two other sisters, so I’m the only boy, also the middle child, unfortunately. I’m first-gen as well. I am the first person to go to college on either end of my family. Both parents didn’t finish high school. My dad actually didn’t even get to finish middle school. So, it’s a little bit about my background, about me.

Lux: Thanks. What year are you in school right now? 

Jesse: I’m currently a second-year, but I had finished my gen eds ever since my first semester. I only had one more class to take, because I did take those other classes in high school that put me ahead. So, my semesters aren’t too heavy, but second-year by my major. 

Lux: Cool. And are you going to school full-time or part-time? 

Jesse: Yes, full-time. A little bit past full-time, just because that’s how mechanical engineering is. It’s always taking more than 12 credit hours a semester. 

Lux: Yep, that sounds familiar. So, you’re a mechanical engineering major then? 

Jesse: Yes. 

Lux: Very cool. So, let’s kind of move into some questions about things like your early experiences with school and your motivations. So, I’m wondering if you could tell us about what initially motivated you to pursue higher ed. 

Jesse: Yeah, actually, it does go by pretty far back. Growing up, my parents, you know, they always told me, you know, go to college. Going to college is going to be the only way you’re able to push yourself and your people forward, whether they were talking about my immediate family or people who look like me. They always said it’s the only way to do it here in the States, is what they mentioned. Although they always told me that I should “go to college, go to college, don’t, you know, break your back like I am at work, in the sun like I am.” They never really told me why. And I think that’s something, as an individual, I kind of struggled with, kind of finding a grasp for higher education. Like you could tell someone all day long, “Do this, do this,” but if they don’t understand, what kind of good does it do for them in a way? So, although throughout my whole life, I had that in the back of my head, just kind of the fact that they can’t explain the reason why, it kind of just pushed me a little bit farther from the idea. And it wasn’t until like, I’d say, it was in high school, senior year. You know, FAFSA applications were coming around, applications for schools. Although I am the middle child, my older sister, she never pursued higher education, so I really had no one else to look to for help like that. Yes, there were those academic advisors at the school. I know there were teachers willing to help as well. But it wasn’t the same as someone for, I guess to say, a sense of belonging in achieving higher education. Just because everyone around me, you know, super educated people, I [unintelligible] take that away from their value. Super educated people willing to help, super nice. But it’s just the fact that I have a sense of disconnection from them, just because I’m a little bit…just…I don’t look like them, I guess you could say. But I had this one friend, my best friend, his older sister, she is DACAmented. She went through basically the same thing I did. She’s first-gen, both [of us] in the States and both to go to college. So he, my best friend, actually connected me to his sister because I had kind of told him about it, like, I don’t even know where to start. And we set up for a little coffee shop meeting type of thing, just for her to break down what are scholarships, what should I look for in college, stuff like that. And that’s all it took–just to sit down with someone who looks like me, who’s experienced the same things as me, and tell me how much school has changed their lives. Because of that day, I’ve fallen in love with school, like, the whole purpose behind it, I believe in education. I believe in the power of education, ever since that day. 

Lux: That is so cool. I love hearing stories about students helping other students because it’s so hard to figure out who has the information that you need. So I’m really glad that you’re able to connect with your friend’s sister. That’s so cool. 

Jesse: Thank you. 

Lux: Yeah. Would you mind talking a little bit about what it was like during your first semester on campus? 

Jesse: Yeah. A whole new environment, obviously. Like, I’ve always been a very, I’d say, optimistic person. So, I never went into school, or into my first semester, I guess you could say, worried of falling behind or anything like that. But me and my best friend, you know, went to college together. We’re at the same university. So, having him, even though we’re completely different majors–we’re still both STEM, but completely different majors–we kind of used each other as, I guess you’d say, backbones or support in a way. So, I think that made school just a whole lot easier. We kind of pushed each other as well. Like, we didn’t just stay comfortable within our own bubbles. We pushed each other to go out and do more, and actually just kind of owning up and deciding to join organizations and groups. There’s this thing at the university called the Union Programming Council. They have a first year program called the Freshman Ambassador Board. I’m already a very outgoing person, like a very much social butterfly, I can never shut up. But joining that, I think, kind of made me more comfortable to approach anybody, no matter who they are, what they look like, or anything like that. So, joining that Programming Council…I think that was probably one of the greatest, or [was] arguably greatest first stepping stone into college I could have ever asked for. 

Lux: What was the name of the program again? 

Jesse: It’s the Freshman Ambassador Board under the Union Programming Council. 

Lux: Okay, that’s very cool. I haven’t heard about that before. 

Jimena: You might have also heard it as  just UPC for short.

Jesse: Yes.

Lux: Gotcha. Okay, that makes sense. So what kind of factors lead you to choose the major that you chose? 

Jesse: Honestly, a lot of my background…I would say it was my father, just because, I mean, I barely saw that man growing up just because of all the jobs he had to work to, unfortunately, you know, help us out. But the time, like, for example, weekends he would often take me with him to work. And I’ll always respect that man just because he’s genuinely just like a jack of all trades. He knows a little bit about everything. I’ve never seen him not do anything he can’t do. And so, my major, a mechanical engineer, is kind of like the jack of all trades of engineering. A mechanical engineer can be basically any type of engineer because they know a little bit about everything, not a lot about one thing. So, I think that kind of pushed me towards that major. As well as I always have, you know, kind of…my nickname as a kid was Smurf. The translation is like “Pitufo” in Spanish, just because I was, they say it’s because I would never just sit down. Not necessarily a troublemaker, but I just, I guess I was just always poking at stuff, always moving stuff. And I guess I kind of just took that trait all the way up to where I am now. And engineering has just really been what interested me the most. And yeah, I mean, it’s STEM too, which is awesome.

Lux: Yeah, it seems like you have always had a really strong sense of intellectual curiosity.

Jesse: If you were to ask my parents, they’d probably agree with me. 

Lux: I bet they would. So the next few questions are going to address more practical aspects of your life. And sometimes those can be sources of stress. But feel free to answer just however you’d like, to your comfort level, and you don’t have to reveal any stories or personal details that just feel too personal. So we talked earlier about you being a full-time student. I was wondering if you are also working a job as you’re going to school. 

Jesse: Yes. Four, I guess you could say. 

Lux: Four?! 

Jesse: Yeah, four and one unpaid at the moment for now. 

Lux: Oh, my goodness. So more than full-time hours in school and more than a full-time job, essentially. 

Jesse: It’s around, I think, 35 hours a week of work. 

Jimena: Yeah, pretty much full-time.

Jesse: Yeah, I guess full-time is considered 32 hours some places. 

Lux: That’s wild. What kind of work are you doing? 

Jesse: On the weekends, I work a total of 16 hours at the airport with CLEAR. We’re the ones that just get you to the line a lot quicker. Really, really glad about that job. They pay me pretty well for what I do. And I’m a university ambassador. That’s like three to four hours a week. And then I’m also an assistant in the capstone lab for my major. We have a whole lab for the seniors. I’m getting 15 and a half hours there a week. And then First-Gen [Scholars] mentor, of course. At the moment, we’re still trying to rack up some time with my mentees. But at the moment, it’s just that one hour a week because of the cohorts. And then the research lab, six months unpaid, but eventually I’ll be getting a semester stipend, I believe. 

Lux: Jeez. Six months unpaid, though. 

Jesse: Yeah. 

Jimena: That’s a lot of months.

Jesse: I’m grateful for the opportunity in the lab, so I hope it pays off.

Lux: I hope so, too. That’s wild that it’s just an unpaid position for the initial six months. So you mentioned you have an ambassador position. 

Jesse: Yes. Yeah.I’m a university ambassador. 

Lux: What is that like? I haven’t heard about that position before. 

Jesse: So basically what we do is we give multiple things that go on. At the moment, we’re currently doing university tours for prospective students. And during the fall semester, they fly you out to other states and basically advocate for the U, why you should choose the U. They call the events Choose the U. And those are probably like five-day long trips that you’re doing for the university. They also hold admission events here at the university. And they help out with other stuff as well. But basically just represent the university the best we can.

LD: It sounds like you are deeply integrated across campus, like different communities, and different programs, and then discipline-specific stuff, like the lab. How do you balance all of that? 

Jesse: I don’t know, actually. I don’t have an answer. It’s more like for the love that I ended up achieving for education and what I believe that I could do for me and anyone after me…I give myself no other choice but to do it, kind of thing. 

Lux: Yeah. Like it sounds like that really reflects your values, too. 

Jesse: Yeah, yeah. 

Lux: So kind of taking a different direction a little bit–and this is one where we’re looking at it through the lens of being first-gen status, or really any other factors–but I’m wondering what your experience with tuition has been like, if you pursued any financial aid, or if you’re able to pay tuition as you go because you’re working so many jobs. 

Jesse: Yeah, so financial aid has been able to help me and, thankfully, because I do qualify for even a small Pell Grant. Me being able to qualify for the Pell Grant allows me to have this other scholarship that is currently fully paying for my tuition. So, that has been my last semester. It will this semester, and next semester, I believe I’ll lose that scholarship. Next year, due to not being a Pell Grant recipient, fingers crossed I still am. But maybe, just with everything that’s going on, it’s a possibility that I don’t get a Pell Grant, which means taking away that scholarship. But after that, I still have my merit scholarship. Even though I  wasn’t so college-inclined throughout high school, I still made sure to get good grades. But with that, saving money from everywhere I’m working, and I’m still applying for other scholarships as well as I, you know, go through my day to day…I think there’s a lot of support when it comes to tuition. Just for everybody, honestly, as long as you look for it, I feel like you’ll find it, and I haven’t had a struggle not finding it. I just feel like the support is there if you look for it.

Lux: Yeah, I’m so glad to hear that because it can be super stressful if you’re trying to, you know, build a collection for yourself so you can pay tuition. I vividly remember those days, So these next questions are going to focus more on things like your support networks. So I was wondering, what do you think has had the biggest impact on your academic success? 

Jesse: You kind of mentioned it earlier. I feel like it’s just kind of my values and morals that I hold for myself, kind of expectations as well. Like I had mentioned earlier as well myself, I just kind of…I give myself no other choice. I don’t know, I kind of talk to myself sometimes and I tell myself I’m going to make it because I’m going to make it, basically. And I feel like just having that confidence in myself as well as a sense of restriction–I don’t know how to explain it, but I just feel like it all kind of comes [from] within. But that was after I met my best friend’s sister, that was after I saw what school could do for her. And kind of just continuing with school, I’m still able to see what education can get me. I’m still learning every day. And I think my ability to be successful in school is still yet to get better. Although the ball’s rolling at the moment, it could roll a whole lot faster. 

Lux: As far as your interactions with faculty, how would you describe your experience in terms of feeling connected with them? 

Jesse: Some professors more than most, just because I mean, I’m at a pretty huge university. And so it’s kind of hard. It’s harder to build those connections with your professors and stuff. So I’ve had a couple favorites. I’ve had a couple who I’ve built a strong connection with. And it tends to be the ones that are more enthusiastic about what they do. And I mean, as long as I’m raising my hand, they’ll recognize my face, and then I guess a relationship gets built on that. But I’ve never had any negative…interaction with any staff or faculty. Thankfully, people here at the university are nice so far. 

Lux: You mentioned you have a couple of professors who really stood out for you. What were they like? You can totally mention names, but you don’t have to. 

Jesse: Yeah, currently one course specifically for my major…he immigrated from Iran, studied here, and now he’s a professor here. So I guess that kind of says somewhat of a relation with him. And he’s just very enthusiastic about education and his whole material. He’s very jumpy. He has a lot of energy. And it’s like that helps me learn as well, just because if they’re interested in it, then I should be as well. And then I had this other professor, she was from Cuba, Latinx as well. …Now that I talk about it, I kind of see similarities between all of them. But they’ve all been, yeah, I guess I perceive the similarities. Now that I talk about it, it’s either first-gen, or immigration, or I guess being part of a community that I’m of, which is a Latinx community. So I believe that kind of sustained myself. 

Lux: So you’ve had professors who identify themselves as being first-gen, too? 

Jesse: Yes, yes, I’ve had a couple professors I have. 

Lux: Yay! I love to hear that. Usually Ximena and I have not heard that very often. So that’s great.

Jimena: Honestly, I think you might be the first person that says that their professors have mentioned being first gen, which…that’s crazy. 

Lux: Yeah. Because you’re an engineering major, did you participate in Engineering LEAP? 

Jesse: I didn’t. Yeah, I did hear about it. I looked into it, but I didn’t personally take a part of it. 

Lux: I was just curious. I work with that group. 

Jesse: I know they’re a great group, though. I hear talks about them a lot. All positive, by the way. That’s why I said they’re a great group.

Lux: Yeah, and there are a number of first-gen faculty in the program. So it’s pretty cool. Would you say that you have had the support of any role models or even like a mentor, unofficially or officially? But just folks who have supported you or encouraged you–and that can be off campus or on campus. 

Jesse: I would say on campus, probably not. I don’t think anyone is, I guess you could say, actively supporting me, although I’ve got a pretty good connection with my academic advisor. And she’s always really nice when I tell her about what I’ve accomplished. So she might fall under there, but really no one in specific up until off-campus. And I definitely give that to my best friend’s sister I’ve been talking about so much. I think she’d be the one I could probably say is, unofficially, a mentor of mine. 

Lux: I bet she would feel so honored that you consider her a mentor, really. So moving into a slightly different area of thought, the next couple of questions are going to focus more on…a sense of belonging. So I want to come back to that. And one of the things that we know through research is that students, especially undergraduates who feel a sense of belonging, have higher graduation rates. And that feeling of belonging has a significant impact on their academic success just generally. And because we have so many first-gen students at the U…we have around 25% of our 25,000 undergrads identifying as first-gen. And…there can be, like you said, a lack of support on campus, or lack of feelings of community. So I was just wondering if you could talk about, yeah, like your sense of belonging and if that has changed since you started school.

Jesse: Yeah, very much. I feel like going into college, a sense of belonging was probably pretty broad. You know, I kind of saw myself only as what I saw in a mirror. So , growing up, you kind of believe you only belong with people who you look like. But going to college, that mindset, honestly, completely flipped. I just feel like you could find your people just about in any crowd.

And I’m not talking about people who look like you, but of course that’s included–but people who share similar interests as you, similar hobbies, you know, just little similarities. Because all you need is just one small thing to have in common with another person to be able to build a connection with. So when it comes to a sense of belonging, I feel like that sense did completely do a 360, in my opinion, for the better as well. I feel like with that, I’m able to build even more connections. And as you guys may know, connections can go a really, really long way. So me being able to see myself having conversations with more than just one group of people will probably carry me a long way. 

Lux: Yeah. And like you’ve mentioned, there is a real underrepresentation of a variety of identities on campus, whether we’re looking at the student population or the faculty. I know that a couple years ago, I was looking at the demographics for 2023–I’m totally going to make a ballpark guess here, it was around upwards of 80% of faculty identify as white only. Do you feel like this lack of diverse identities that you see on campus and in your courses and stuff has had an impact on your sense of belonging or community?

Jesse: I feel like, definitely, in my community, 100%. But I kind of want to reflect back to the previous question that you asked. For me…if I still had the same mindset I had growing up, I would say it would affect me as well. But me being a part of that community…of course it’s going to affect me in some sort of way. Yeah. And I feel like I could relate that to my belief in the power of education…Because I know I shared similar experiences as many, many others, as many, many other first-gen students. Having the struggle finding a reason to go to college if no one around them ever did. So they believe, “Why would I?” And I feel like it’s very much a psychological issue…eventually after the issues prior…well, these issues I’m talking about…I’m talking about already underrepresentation. I’m talking about [a] lack of support…I mean, I could get really nitpicky, right? But I think it has a domino effect. It has a domino effect, 100%. I don’t know if I kind of went too far from the question.

Lux: Oh no, not at all, not at all! We want to go wherever you want to go with the conversation really. So there have been a couple of major initiatives that the university has been promoting. One of them is around encouraging students to graduate in a four-year time frame. And the other is having to do with…well I guess it’s not an initiative, but it’s more of a policy change around the parking situation on campus, where students will be, beginning next semester, limited in the number of courses they can take between…they’re calling them primetime hours, so 9am and 2pm. And yeah, I was just wondering what your thoughts are on either of those or both of those issues. 

Jesse: Yeah, I think that I can always become nitpicky of course, but you have to see it from both sides. If I see it from the university side, they’re coming at it with a good intention. They have a good intention behind it, of course. But I feel like they don’t fully understand every side of every story that is affected by every intention that they want to do. For example, graduating within the four-year track, that isn’t fully compatible with a good chunk of students, just because not everyone is able to dedicate their complete time for school. For example, some people might have to work extra to pay off school and they need to take a little bit less classes, or some might just have other life circumstances going on that kind of, you know, limit them from becoming a full-time student or being a full-time student for this amount of time consecutively.They might have to take a break. And then, same thing, I could reflect that back onto the new parking policy they want to do. A lot of people need to schedule their classes every morning to work long night shifts or long afternoon shifts, or they have people to look after after classes, or it’s just…like I mentioned, I know they mean it with good intention, but I don’t think they take into account their population. They want to kind of group everyone into one group, instead of looking at every group that is within the population as a whole. Yeah, I don’t know if that made any sense. 

Lux: Absolutely, yeah.

Jimena: It did. 

Lux: Well, let’s look at the parking issue for starters, is that going to impact the way that you schedule your classes in a significant way.

Jesse: Yes, because a lot of my classes are actually only offered within those primetime hours, so I mean, if the school happens to change to that, they actually have to work around a lot of the departments. So…I just feel like their idea was very much–what’s the word? They kind of just jumped to that conclusion without really thinking about it because I highly, highly, highly doubt they didn’t work with residents of all these colleges, like heads of these colleges because most of these colleges don’t offer classes outside of that prime time hour. And so, for me personally, it will affect me just because a lot of my classes are only available within that time. Almost none of them are offered online. And then, just because I need to work enough to, you know, help around the house, and save up for when–hopefully that day never comes that I lose my full-ride.

And I still need to save up money for however much time I have left in school. And having to work around that window will be pretty difficult to be able to maximize both classes and maximize both hours to be able to work. 

Lux: Agreed. Yeah, totally. [This is] just my opinion only, but I completely agree with you. I worry, too, about this initiative to encourage students to finish in four years, how that’s going to play out when courses aren’t going to be offered as frequently within those prime time hours–when there’s a reason why they’re prime time hours, right? 

Jesse: Yeah, I agree.

Lux: Lots of people have responsibilities outside of school, and it doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of awareness about that coming down from the administration, just my opinion, though. 

Jesse: I agree.

Lux: So, this is the last bit of our interview. I just have a few more questions. But I was wondering, what kind of support do you wish that you would have had as a student so far? 

Jesse: Well, I feel like I’ve kind of brushed up on this a little bit. Not directly, but I think growing up as a student, definitely more role models that, I guess you could say, shared similar things as I had, you know, being a first-gen, going to college, or people who are part of my ethnic community, or just people I shared more similarities with, growing up as a student. But like, now, it is more than less just because I kind of had this–I’ve talked about it–like this mindset change of, I’m more than just what I see myself as in the mirror. So, I feel like having that mindset actually helped me be more comfortable looking for support than if I were not to think that way. Because I’m almost 100% positive if I wasn’t thinking this way, I would go on for who knows how long on this question. Because…I mean, it’s like what I mentioned earlier, it ultimately becomes a psychological barrier that people build because of whatever reasons. For example, growing up, I didn’t have someone who looked like me to support me, right, in the education realm, of course.

Lux: As far as programs, or resources, or services, if you had a limitless budget and the ability to create these without, you know, a whole ton of bureaucracy coming down from administration, what kind of resources or services would you like to see students have on campus in the future? 

Jesse: That’s a really great question, just because I feel like it’s now in the state that our state government or federal government is in at the moment…I mean, I guess you could say [it with] as little conflict as possible, but I do think what resources and organizations and stuff like that are currently at the university, I think they’re doing huge, huge impact. And if I had that immense amount of money and a little to no conflict with the deans of the university, I think I would just further fund the current clubs and organizations and groups that are currently established. I’ve never really had a mind to create something for my own, like in that sort of aspect. My mind only thinks in numbers, unfortunately. But yeah, I mean, for example, the first-gen space, I think it’s absolutely great. The Dream Center, absolutely great. Also, the Basic Needs Collective, the Feed U pantry, all those things are just really great. And if they have the chance to have more money, I do know that it would make an even bigger impact. Just because, I mean, they’re great as they are. And like I mentioned, I can’t think of anything on the spot. I’d probably just implement and give them more than what they already have. 

Lux: Yeah, I think things like funding are the solution to getting, say, even additional sections of programs like First-Gen Scholars.

Jesse: Yeah, and unfortunately, like this sucks to say, but money talks. And with money…you could do a lot with it. You could have more marketing for it to reach a larger crowd–and to reach the crowd that it’s trying to reach. So it ultimately becomes a funding issue because if one department has more money than the other, the person in charge of all the departments is going to listen more to the person with more money. Because money’s power in this world, unfortunately.

Lux: You’re totally right. I completely agree with you on that. So, on a lighter note, I’m wondering if you could tell us, looking back on your experiences in the university and even before that, what are you proudest of yourself for as a student?

Jesse: Could you say that question one more time? 

Lux: Oh, no, you’re good. So taking it from any part of your educational experience, what are you proudest of? What moment or accomplishment are you proudest of in your experience as a student?

Jesse: So many things, honestly. Simply coming from parents who didn’t even get a high school diploma, I feel like there’s a lot of things to celebrate for myself. I mean, as a whole, it’s literally coming to college, right? But there’s a bunch of stuff after that. My younger self would never in a million years believe that I got a research lab position, that I’m now helping others who share similarities with me. Helping others who have similarities with me, I believe. It’s just kind of being a go-getter. I don’t know, because I think because of that, I have a lot of micro things to celebrate. It’s hard to kind of pinpoint, but I think one I strongly believe in is just simply attending college, honestly. 

Lux: Yeah, and you have so clearly made a ton of accomplishments. I hope that you can feel that sense of pride in everything that you’ve done, because you’re here and you’re doing it, and kicking ass at it, frankly.

Jesse: Thank you, thank you. 

Lux: One last question: Do you have any advice or guidance that you would want to give to folks who are in high school, and they’re considering being the first in their families to go to college? 

Jesse: Yeah, I feel like one thing would be–well, we’re talking about first-gen students, so I think taking pride in knowing that you’re more than just a first-gen student. You’re not ever only going to be [just] a first-gen student. And I think for myself, overcoming that has done a lot for me, so I’m almost sure it will do a lot for others once they get over that mindset hurdle type of thing. I think that would be the strongest advice I could ever give to a high schooler. 

Lux: Yeah, have faith in your abilities, and do dream big. Go after those goals.

Jesse: Very much so, I believe that.

Lux: Well, that’s about it for us. Unless you have…Jimena, is there anything you’d like to add or questions you’ve got to wrap up?

Jimena: No, I’m okay. 

Lux: Well, thank you so much for talking with us. 

Jimena: Thank you, thank you.

Lux: I know that this is going to be a huge, huge resource for other students. And like I was saying before we started the interview, I’m hoping that we can share some of these experiences with the permission of the students who’ve interviewed, as a kind of an online exhibit that we can share with high schools locally and really let people see that they do belong in these institutions of higher ed. And just because you’re the first doesn’t mean that it’s not the perfect place for you, you know?

Jesse: I agree. Yeah, I mean, I’m actually excited to see what you guys can hook up with all of this. I’m really excited to see. I’m glad to participate. 

Lux: Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. We are greatly appreciative. 

Jesse: Thank you guys both.