Chicano/Latino Graduation Ceremony takes place Saturday.

Chicanos and Latinos make up 58% percent of graduating students in the CSU system and many of them are first-generation students.

Graduation is a big accomplishment for many students but for first-generation students, paving the way for future generations is a great feeling.

Isabella Cervantes, a Kinesiology major, is excited to be the first in her family to graduate from college.

“Just to have the opportunities that my grandparents nor my parents didn’t have, it means a lot to me, to continue their legacy,” Cervantes said.

Many first-generation students face a lot of obstacles including mental health.

Robert Alvarez, a Chicano Studies graduate, just found out Fresno State offers health services on campus.

“I just recently realized the health services the therapist. I used a male group therapy session that was really helpful,” Alvarez said.

Fresno State offers a variety of programs and resources to help students be successful.

As a first-generation student myself, I picked up my sash, and it’s such an amazing feeling to be one step closer to graduating. It means a lot to me, just so I can pave the way for future generations.

Fresno State has a mentorship program for first-generation students. It’s called the Tri Alpha Honor Society.

Esvidy Oceguera, a chemistry major, said the program has helped her.

“I’m able to connect with mentors that have come from the first generation background of, like Latinos and Latinas in STEM,” Oceguera said.

This makes it a big, supported group of students on our campus.

“It is the largest celebration on campus,” says Dr. Victor Torres, the Chicano/Latino Commencement coordinator. “It has been and I think it’s the largest Chicano-specific graduation ceremony in the whole country.”

This is not only a celebration for students but for the families and friends who supported their students in graduating.

Congratulations to the class of 2024!