Creating a Path for Herself and Other First-Generation College Students
Vanessa Luis wanted to serve her community, so she decided to major in biology at Ventura College to pursue a career in health or education. But when she became involved in Associated Students of Ventura College (ASVC), she had an AHA moment.
“I really enjoyed being in student government,” she says, adding that she was also involved in student government at her Oxnard high school. “I decided to change my major to political science because I thought I could work in social justice,” she says.
A first-generation college student, Vanessa served many positions within ASVC: athletics liaison, where she worked with the college’s athletics director in promoting school spirit at sporting events; Inter-Club Council president, collaborating with many organizations on campus; and ASVC president. She was also involved with Guided Pathways, the Student Success Committee, College Planning Committee and Ventura College Foundation.
Her experiences with ASVC not only helped guide her studies, but it also helped her choose educational counseling as her career path. After graduating from Ventura College in 2019, Vanessa transferred to UC Irvine, majoring in political science and government and minoring in education.
She is now pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Southern California and working as a graduate assistant at the First Generation Plus Success Center at the university. Vanessa credits mentors VC Student Activities Specialist Libby Fatta and Dr. Rick Trevino, former student success supervisor who now works at USC, for helping her find her calling.
“Dr. Trevino and Libby encouraged me to become the person I am today; they gave me that driving force of being involved. They really motivated me. It definitely was a partnership between all three of us.”
Today, Vanessa sees her career options as unlimited. She wants to earn a doctorate in higher education and work with other first-generation students in an administrative and teaching capacity so she can share her experiences with them.
“I would also like to work in a multicultural or transfer center, anything that encompasses those populations. That is my goal.”
In addition, Vanessa aspires to return to Oxnard to engage in public policy in her community and work in higher education at a university or two-year college.
“I feel like I identify strongly with community college because I am a product of it.”
