Inspiring First-Gen College Students

By Susanna Klingenberg

Brianna Diaz ’23 is driven by a desire to give voice to the voiceless. That drive is what connects her journey from passionate pre-vet major to the College Advising Corps, a branch of AmeriCorps that matches recent college graduates with schools in rural, low-income, underrepresented areas.

During a Caldwell Fellows seminar on servant leadership, Diaz served as a medical interpreter with Open Door Clinic, a nonprofit that offers health care for the uninsured. “I always assumed, ‘You love animals, so be a veterinarian,’” Diaz says. “But that time at the clinic made me realize that I really enjoy helping people receive equitable access to things that improve their lives.”

That’s what she does now for the 280 seniors at Franklinton High School. There, Diaz creates a welcoming, multilingual space for students to figure out what’s next, whether that’s the workforce, the military or college. For many in the close-knit, rural community in Franklin County, N.C., college seems like a far-off dream. “They might not have parent support, or internet access at home, or maybe there’s a language barrier,” says Diaz. “And that’s on top of college being expensive in the first place.” Diaz helps first-generation college students navigate these challenges and think through possibilities. “I help them think bigger and wider about their futures,” she says.

Some of that support is emotional, she says, but much of it is logistical, since college applications in the U.S. are complex. She walks students through career assessments, applications, financial aid and scholarships. She coaches them through phone calls to admissions offices, empowers them to advocate for their own future, and cheers them on, whether or not college is the next step.

Next year, Diaz plans on applying to study for a master’s of science education. She hopes to eventually work as a science museum educator, bringing together her love of animals and passion for servant leadership. She uses her personal experiences when she talks to students. “I also remind them of my own story,” says Diaz. “I thought one thing going into college and ended up somewhere else. It’s OK to change.”