Testimonials
We are First-Gen
We would like to invite Texas A&M Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy professionals to inspire others by sharing their story as a first-generation college student. Identifying faculty, staff, students and alumni who themselves are first-generation college students will allow our campus community to discover how many first-generation role models exist throughout the Rangel College of Pharmacy.
"As a first-generation college student, the only valuable thing in this life to me was an education. My parents worked to instill honesty, integrity, work ethic, and compassion to my brother and I. Today, as I get closer to my PharmD, I am grateful for being a first-generation student because while my path was difficult, I am confident that it has made me become a more empathetic, culturally competent future healthcare provider. By highlighting the voices of first-generation students in healthcare, we can change the narrative from one of deprivation to one of empowerment!”
Eza Ali
Professional Student Pharmacist
Alumnus
First-Generation College Student
"As a second year student here at the Texas A&M College of Pharmacy, I love to be involved on campus and try to help in anyway I can to promote the profession of pharmacy. I currently serve as the President Elect for SNPhA and Vice Regant Interal for Kappa Psi. I am glad that I made the decision to join the A&M family. At a young age, my parents taught me to always put my best foot forward and to learn to have confidence in whatever I do. Since then, I have carried that with me and always urge others to do the same. I feel great knowing that I am a first-generation student, and I hope other first-generation students view it as motivation for themselves. The advice that I give other first generation students, is to continue what you’re doing and make your family and friends proud. In the end, it will all be worth it and it will bring nothing but joyous moments that are shared with loved ones.”
Jennifer Nwosu
Professional Student Pharmacist
Alumnus
First-Generation College Student
"I focused most of my time in high school obsessing with grades and the organizations I was involved in. I applied to colleges, and got accepted into them, but because I was a first generation student I slipped through the cracks. I didn't have the knowledge of what steps came after applying and getting accepted into college. Once I realized that no one in my family was upset with me not attending college, I became complacent and diverted my attention to the workforce. It wasn't until I became a mom of my two daughters that I realized my decision to stop furthering my education was not only hurting myself, but it was hurting their view on the importance of secondary school as well. I entered my first semester of college the same year my youngest daughter entered pre-kindergarten. Flash forward to now, I am currently in my second year of professional school and she is thriving in third grade. Has it been easy? No, not by any means. Has it been worth it? Of course. My kids think I am "Super Mom" and are proud to tell their friends and teachers that their mom is going to be a pharmacist and take them to Disney World when she graduates. What makes me happy is that they are both now starting to talk about what they want to do when they finish high school, and it includes college.”
Shelby Martinez
Professional Student Pharmacist
Alumnus
First-Generation College Student
"Although neither of my parents received a college degree, they have supported and motivated me through every step and stage of my journey. Knowing the lengths that my parents went to to support me has given me the motivation to work hard in everything I do. I am driven to do well in school so I can obtain knowledge that will be used to help save lives, and make a true difference. Through my organizational involvement, educational pursuits, and future career, I hope to inspire others, just as my patients, peers, and mentors have inspired me to this day. My experience as a first-generation student has shown me that no matter your background, if you work hard, you can achieve your goals. I would encourage other first-generation students to continue to make a difference in their communities by bettering themselves. The education they receive is invaluable and can be used to better future generations.”
Brooke Spann
Professional Student Pharmacist
Alumnus
First-Generation College Student
"Being a first-generation college student, my mother always made sure to teach me how important getting an education was, since it opens many doors in life to become successful. I loved her push to do my best in school, but I always found myself having a natural passion to learn and succeed without having to be pushed into it. This drive has shaped who I am, and has put me on this path to success that I am currently on. I didn’t come from much growing up, so another huge motivator was knowing that if I became successful I would be able to take care of my family, and be able to pay my mom back for all the sacrifices she made for my siblings and I while growing up. With every new thing I learn or experience as a first-generation college student, I know that I’ll be able to pass down that knowledge to the rest of the members of my family and guide them towards their own path to success.”
Timothy Johnson
Professional Student Pharmacist
Class of 2022
First-Generation College Student
"As a first-generation student, I’ve really come to appreciate the journey to my achievements. I’m still in the middle of my very long journey, but knowing how many sacrifices I’ve made and how many long nights and even longer days I’ve been through strengthens me and encourages me to keep going. It helps me know that if I can take the worst things that come my way, I’m able to do anything. This kind of determination was instilled in me by my parents. They are people who traveled a long way with almost nothing on their backs to give me a greater future. That part of me – my perseverance to do good – is a highlight of what it means to be a first-generation student. One bit of advice I’d like to give to other current or future first-generation students is to never forget where you came from. One day you will be able to enjoy so many more of the successes your parents have experienced, but you should always take a moment of gratitude and humility to reflect on what made you who you are. That kind of self-reflection inspires others to be able to overcome anything because they saw you do it.”
Shawna Promsaka
Professional Student Pharmacist
Class of 2021
First-Generation College Student
"Growing up, college was never a priority in my household but I knew I wanted to do more. Seeing the hardships my mother went through motivated me to get an education and provide a better future for myself and my family. My life took an unconventional route, as I began my college education married with children. Having them cheer me on throughout this journey is encouraging and also very rewarding. I have been able to surpass statistics and disparities by being accepted into a doctoral program and additionally being able to mentor the next generation of potential pharmacy students. Being a first-generation college student is a challenge. Being a mother contributes to the disparity; you have to quickly adapt and create a balance between school and raising a family. Having the support from family and friends is significant in completing this challenge. Hearing my daughter, mother, and grandmother say, ‘I am proud of you’ has made everything worth it. I hope to set the example for my children, my siblings, and inspire other moms to reach their goals.”
Cassandra Lee Cruz
Professional Student Pharmacist
Class of 2021
First-Generation College Student
"My advice for current and future first-generation students is you must work hard and be determined to learn. Instructors can teach you, but you must do the learning. Remember you have a right to get an education, but you do not have a right to a degree. That must be earned. Get to know you instructors as much as possible and let the instructors help you; that is why they are instructors. Do not be afraid of your instructors just because of their academic rank or the degrees they hold. Enjoy your undergraduate years. You will have this opportunity only once. While you enjoy these years, remember that you are there to learn and that you must put forth the effort to learn.”
E. Paul Holder, PharmD
Instructional Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Rangel College of Pharmacy
First-Generation College Student
"As a first-generation student, some of my highlights include serving as the President for the Cultural Diversity Committee (CDC), President and co-founder for Rising Health Foundation, and Historian for the National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA). In addition to my executive committee positions, I also serve as a committee chair for the Student Society of Health system pharmacists (SSHP), NCPA, and the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacists. Additionally, I am grateful to be accepted into the Houston Methodist - West (HMW) Longitudinal APPE program for my fourth year of pharmacy school. At HMW I hope to supplement my didactic curriculum from the Rangel College of Pharmacy, and better prepare myself for postgraduate residency. Throughout my journey as a pharmacy student, my mentors have been an integral part of my education, and allowed me to successfully navigate professional school. Of those individuals, my mother and father, Shahnaz and Akber Ali, have had a tremendous impact in allowing me to reach my goals, and cultivate my love for helping others into a career. Additionally, Dr. Victoria B. Pho, PharmD, has given me the opportunities to apply my curriculum to the real world, and has been tremendously supportive throughout my extracurricular ventures, include the establishment of Rising Health Foundation.”
Ashmal Ali
Professional Student Pharmacist
Class of 2021
First-Generation College Student
"I am the first out of my family to pursue a college degree. My father did not pursue an education when he came to America and my mother dropped out of high school. We were considered lower-middle class in terms of socio-economic background, and what I found to be the biggest learning curve for me was trying to figure out how to pay for college. I just remember the paperwork was intense and the process was not easy. Navigating through higher education was like going on a long journey without a map. I was fortunate to have friends who were second generation college students, so I borrowed their maps and also through trial and error, attempted to pave a path for myself. I believe I am where I am today because my parents instilled in me the value of education and strongly encouraged it growing up. I was also fortunate enough to have friends who were second generation and I attempted to mimic their paths. While I believe there may have been institutional support available at that time, I didn't fully know or understand how to use them and to what capacity. I think it is so important that institutions identify these individuals early on in order to better help and engage these students as they navigate through their academic journey.”
Sandy Diec, PharmD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Rangel College of Pharmacy
First-Generation College Student
"The biggest part of being a first-generation college student for me is the pride it brings to my parents and other family members. To hear the way my parents talk about me to others is an experience unlike any other. It also makes me see the worth in what I am doing and gives me an enormous sense of pride and confidence. For me it is not only a highlight to be a first-generation college student, but to be a first-generation college graduate of Texas A&M and now to be pursuing a doctorate at Texas A&M as well. When I think about being from such a small town where few people go to college, I realize what an honor and privilege it is to have the support system and personal drive to be where I am now. I am a very family oriented and family driven person. Without them, absolutely none of this would have been possible. It was never a question that I would attend college at Texas A&M, but through their love, support, and financial planning I have been able to pursue every dream I’ve had. My grandfather, who passed away my first year of pharmacy school, was the one who drove me to pharmacy and gave me the inspiration to obtain this degree.”
Bailey Amanda Dendy
Professional Student Pharmacist
Class of 2021
First-Generation College Student
"I am the first out of my immediate family to earn a Bachelor's Degree. I went on to earn my Master's and Doctoral Degree from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi and Texas A&M University – Kingsville. All 3 of my degrees focused around education and educational leadership. I clearly remember my mom making a goal for herself to earn her GED at the same time I was earning my high school degree. I was so proud to watch her walk the commencement stage. Education has always been a passion for me and I knew as a small child that I wanted to become a teacher and mentor/counselor for others as a career. It is nice to be a role model for my nieces and nephews as well as my own children. Soon, we will have 3 more college graduates in the family as my nieces and nephews are in the final stages of earning their own college degree. I strive to make a path to help my family and students reach their own career and educational goals. I think this drive comes from me trying to figure this out for myself and realizing how difficult this journey was as a first generation student. To be a mentor and a role model will always be one of my greatest accomplishments.”
Amanda Galindo, EdD
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
Rangel College of Pharmacy
First-Generation College Student
"My advice to future first-generation college students is to pick a degree course you are passionate about. To look forward to the opportunities that lay ahead and to truly enjoy the journey. Never forget where you come from and allow it to give you the drive to pursue your dreams. Never let a doubt or fear keep you from going to college and bettering your future. My advice to current first-generation students would be never doubt yourself and if you have an idea that you want to do something, try it with 100% effort.”
Deshawn Banks
Professional Student Pharmacist
Class of 2021
First-Generation College Student
"I was the first out of my family to earn my Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, and Professional Licensure. After I obtained my degrees, my mom challenged herself to pursue a four-year degree along with my sister-in-law and they both successfully achieved their degrees. It was the most amazing feeling when my sister-in-law thanked me for inspiring her to tackle something that always seemed out of reach. She said that seeing me pursue a degree while being a mom myself without parents to help me pay for or navigate the college experience convinced her that she could do the same. Today I realize that me pursuing a college degree had a positive effect on people around me and that by my sister-in-law being the first out of her family to obtain a four-year degree she would also inspire people in her circle to reach for what they think might not be possible for them. I learned that by being the first in your family to succeed in college, you push people to set similar goals by simply working towards your own.”
Amanda M. Galvan, LPC
Director of Student Success
Rangel College of Pharmacy
First-Generation College Student