Rogelio Salazar

EOP was a welcoming space where I met supportive staff that empowered my undergraduate experience while I broke through educational barriers as a first generation Latinx student. When I reflect on EOP, it was an instrumental program in my pursuit to applying to graduate school and identifying with staff of color that contributed to reaffirming my cultural identity. As an undergraduate I questioned my decision to pursue graduate school, since it was an educational avenue that was unheard of in my community. I was the only person in my entire family to have ever completed a high school education. However, I was impacted by the genuine support of EOP staff that demonstrated an authentic interest in my success and postgraduate goals.

In my encounters with Andres Favela, he taught me about the process of applying to graduate school and provided me with guidance to persevere in my journey to becoming a first-generation graduate student of color. Such experiences were essential in my decision to pursue Student Affairs as I was impacted by the act of helping others.