First-gen student reflects on the help that got her to ASU.

It is not easy being the first person in the family to go to college. Applications, scholarship deadlines and filling out the FAFSA can seem like daunting tasks. First-year industrial engineering major Itzel Aguilar Coconi, 18, is a first-generation college student and the oldest of her siblings.

As she started to begin the college application process, Coconi realized she had a head start thanks to her participation in ASU college readiness programs. Access ASU is dedicated to increasing access to higher education and preparing Arizona students to thrive in college and the 21st century workforce.

“With the help of Access ASU, it was really easy for me to know when there were specific deadlines. If I would have done it myself, I would have struggled more,” Coconi said. 

Itzel Aguilar Coconi graduated from Trevor G. Browne High School and is the first in her family to go to college.

She has been a part of the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program since the eighth grade. In this program, Coconi and her mom had the ability to learn and get information on the ASU application process. 

HMDP gives first-generation students and their families access to resources that will help them achieve in high school and successfully enroll in college. Coconi was especially appreciative of the Spanish-language workshops they had for her mom. 

“Having workshops in Spanish helped my mom understand all that I had to do during the application process. It actually helped our relationship as well,” Coconi said. 

Through HMDP, she also found out about the Cesar E. Chavez  Leadership Institute. CCLI is a one-week summer program that allows Arizona high school  students to gain access to higher education and leadership development through workshops and civic engagement. 

CCLI participants take part in a living and learning experience, spending the week in a residential community on the Tempe campus while each day learning something new about leadership, self-growth and development from workshops and guest speakers. Coconi attended CCLI in the summer of 2018. 

“One of the main messages was to give back to your community and be an active member,” Coconi said. 

Now that she is finishing up her first semester at ASU, Coconi is grateful for the help she got. Transitioning from high school to college went much smoother. 

“As of now, I feel good, I am transitioning into having better time management but I feel good,” she said. 

If ASU is where you see yourself getting your degree, Access ASU is there to give resources and help in the college application process. 

“Take advantage of the opportunities Access ASU gives us; it is all very helpful,” Coconi said.