First Generation Iowa

About Us

First Generation Iowa was created to:

Provide a welcoming atmosphere and support to new and returning first generation college students.
Provide a combination of social, academic, and service opportunities for members.
Help students transition from high school to college and introduce them to the many campus resources and opportunities available.
Connect first generation college students with other first generation college students across campus.
 

The Officers

Alfredo Garcia is a Senior in Chemistry and Biochemistry, and is President for First Generation Iowa. He likes to watch sports, surf the internet, and read. He was interested in joining First Generation Iowa because he was in need of information on how to use the resources on campus, how to get involved, and of course, the great snacks provided at each meeting. He believes it is a great experience for anyone who is in need of information about Iowa, and he encourages anyone interested to show up to next event!

Bethliz Irizarry is a Senior and a Microbiology and Russian double major from Joliet, Illinois. This year she is the President for UI fencing, Vice President for First Generation Iowa, and dabbles in other activities on campus. Her hobbies, when she is not attending meetings or classes include reading, watching movies, learning about other cultures, and hanging out with friends. In the future she plans to attend graduate school for public health. Bethliz is interested in First Generation Iowa because she likes meeting with and talking to other students who, like her, are the first in their family to attend college. She hopes that this year the club will be able to reach out and help more people than ever before.

Luis Valadez is a Senior in Business, and is currently the Membership Coordinator for First Generation Iowa. His main hobby outside of school is rap. He joined First Generation Iowa because, as a first generation student, he was very confused about college life, and he wanted to learn of ways to adapt and also things that he may have needed to know in order to survive college.

Kevin Booth is our new Treasurer.

Luci is a junior psychology major with a pre-medicine intent. She is the secretary of First Generation Iowa, and is also on the Student Leader Board as a volunteer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. In her free time Luci loves to play volleyball on an intramural team, read rather unscholarly novels (Hunger Games, Twilight, Percy Jackson, etc.), and bake cupcakes. She joined First Generation Iowa because she was trying to find a student organization that was both welcoming and useful. She encourages everyone interested to check out First Generation Iowa as well as their own identity as a first generation student. Over 25% of students at the University of Iowa qualify as first generation students based on the official definition!.