Search Interviews

Zakaria Davis (19) talks to her new acquaintance, Nancy Zook (55), about her life, her family and friends, how she feels to be graduating from high school, and her hopes and goals for the future.

Interview with Erika Roman (51) who is a San Francisco State Alumni. In this interview, Erika discusses her experience as a first generation Latina college student and the organizations she was a part of during her time at San Francisco...

Spouses, Alex Primm [no age given] and Cathy Primm (75) discuss Alex's experience in Vietnam, how it informed his later work, and their life together.

Coworkers Daisy Montes (26) and Melissa Benitez Lopez (22), who are academic advisors at KIPP schools in Northern California, talk about their journeys as first generation college students, reflect on how they approach their work, and remember their time as...

Audrey Anguiano (16) interviews her dad, Oscar Anguiano (44), about his college process as a first generation college student. He discusses the challenges he faced during this stressful process.

Phillip Goetz (47) interviews his wife, Monica Goetz (44), about her experiences as a student and staffer at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. She shares her family’s history and connection to the university,...

[Recorded: Friday, November 19th, 2021] Bob Pearson (70) and Carlos Rodriguez (20) have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, VA. Bob is an Air Force veteran and Carlos is a second-year student at UVA. Bob grew up in a...

Friends Leonardo Juarez (31) and DeAndra Edwards (30) discuss their relationship to LGBTQ+ identity, the idea of "coming out," and finding queer community.

Strangers and One Small Step partners, Wally Derleth (64) and Erin Pyles Smith (34) talk about their differing political views, the loss of a parent, and how their speech teachers were influential people in their lives. They find parallels in...

Nikolette Clark (26) and her girlfriend Caitlin Masingill (38) speak about their life experiences, identity, and hope.

Rosalba "Rosa" Zaremba (29) and her colleague Vilma Sierra [no age given] discuss their organization Mexican Alliance of New Jersey and the importance of supporting underserved students.

Dustin "Dusty" Schroeder (34) speaks to his research advisee Katherine "Kathy" Vega (28) about their shared experience as first-generation college students, how he developed an interest in science, his mentors, and his work in ice-penetrating radar.

Judith Lima (25) shares a conversation with her mentor, Leticia Acosta (44), about participating in Subiendo Academy at the University of Texas, her experience in college, and the value of community and mentorship.

I am discussing about the issues first generation low income students face as they go on throughout their academic journey. I bring awareness on the mental health issues that impacts them which is a big issue in todays society.

Sandra Garcia (18) talks with her friend, Melanie Flores (18) about the struggles of being a first-generation college student during the 2020 pandemic.

Vanessa Landis (34) sat down with her spouse, Bryan Landis (33), to discuss her career into medicine and reflected on their son's life and hopes for their future.

Jennifer Sanchez (18) y su madre Liliana Sanchez (42) hablan de la graduación de Jennifer, sus valores y sus deseos por el futuro. [Jennifer Sanchez (18) and her mother Liliana Sanchez (42) talk about Jennifer’s graduation, their values, and their...

Spouses Eliana Banuelos (29) and Mario Banuelos (30) share memories of growing up in Delano, California, talk about their mothers, who have both been field workers in California, and expand on their experiences as first-generation college students and, now, educators...

Kate Gluckman (38) interviews her mentee, Myesha Stovall (21), about her experience in the Freedom Project, what it’s like to be a mentor to younger students, and what she hopes to accomplish in her last year in college.

(Updated 1/6/21: Edited to improve sound and decrease overlap caused by delay.) In an overdue reunion, Robin Wilson graced me with an hour of her Sunday to share her story. She passed down a major portion of my teaching-for-justice toolbox...

Close friends Evelyn Abundis (28) and Isis Diaz (27) discuss being first-generation college students at KIPP San Jose and now assisting parents and students in navigating the southern California education system. The two exchange perspectives and shared work experiences.

Dr. Sherry Walker (60) interviews her friend and colleague Nikki McPherson (39) about her path to becoming a social worker, where some of her influences have come from, goals for her future, and how she has learned to love herself.

Maya Stein (45) and her friend Sherry Richert Belul (52) celebrate the life of Maya's father, David Stein, who passed away three months earlier. Maya remembers her father's loving, enthusiastic personality and she reflects on how posting online about her...

A partial interview with my mom, Carriebelle Anderson, cut off when a call came through.

In the interview, the first generation college experience was explained through Kirsten’s perspective and first hand experience. She explains how she navigated the difficult process and found her way to Calvin University.