Raul Garza: A Journey from McFarland High to UC Riverside

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First-generation students, often referred to as “first-gens,” are college-bound individuals whose parents did not pursue higher education. This significant milestone represents a break from familial and often socio-economic traditions, symbolizing hope, perseverance, and the pursuit of greater opportunities. For many first-gens, the journey to higher education is fraught with unique challenges and triumphs. Below is one in a series of stories about Kern County first-gens as they embark on the next chapters of their lives.

To nominate someone for a story in this series, please reach out to communcations@kern.org

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First-generation college student Raul Garza is about to embark on an exciting new chapter in his life. After graduating from McFarland High School in the spring, Garza has set his aspirations on the University of California, Riverside where he will major in business. His journey to Riverside is marked by his hard work, educational opportunities, and the support of his family and community.

Garza was heavily involved in the Federal TRIO Talent Search Program, which supports first-generation college students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Garza says the program helped him with college applications, essays, and financial aid reminders.

“They prepare you for college, and they help you with the college application process with your essays,” he said. “I ended up depending on them a lot to figure out things that I didn’t understand.” 

The TRIO Programs are a group of national outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income students, first-generation college students, and those with disabilities. For Garza, that meant teaching him and other students about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and providing resources. 

“They have a lot of seminars where they tell you about FAFSA,” he said. “They constantly reminded us about the deadlines, which helped a lot.”

When he steps foot on campus at Riverside, he takes something invaluable with him: college credits. McFarland High partnered with Bakersfield College (BC) and the Kern Community College District to implement an Early College Program. Every new student takes introductory college courses and chooses a pathway in either an academic or vocational field. (Read more here)

Garza took college business classes alongside his high school education and was able to transfer those credits to his university. During those classes, the main focus was working with classmates to complete projects and present business ideas in front of the class. He says completing classes at the collegiate level helped him practice public speaking and gave him the confidence to succeed at Riverside.

“It gave me motivation and showed me I can do it,” he said. “By having these early college classes, it showed me that they weren’t that hard, and they were something you can definitely complete as long as you put your time into it.”

When asked why he chose UC Riverside, Garza said he’s excited to spread his wings and experience life outside his small town. The allure of new challenges and a more diverse environment, as well as the opportunity to make lifelong friends, were significant factors in his decision.

“I know I wanted to see a diverse amount of people, not just the same people,” he explained. “I hear a lot of friends you make in college are friends for the rest of your life. I want to make good friends that I can enjoy my time with.”

Although Garza is the first in his family to go to a four-year university, he is not alone in this journey through higher education. His sister attends Bakersfield College, aspiring to become a teacher like their aunt. Garza’s parents have always emphasized the importance of hard work and maintaining good grades.

Financially, Garza will be supported by the UCR grant, Cal Grant, and work-study programs. He will live in a triple dorm on campus, an experience he is excited about. He is also looking forward to being close to Los Angeles, where he hopes to spend some of his breaks.

“It’s close to LA, so I know that if I want to have fun or if I need a break, I could always go to Universal or Disneyland,” he said. “Students get to ride the train for free. So if I ever want to visit my parents, I can just go on the train.”

As Garza prepares to leave his small hometown of McFarland, he carries with him the support of his family, the lessons learned from his early college courses, and a determination to succeed. His journey to UC Riverside is just the beginning of a promising future.