Biosketch
- Name: Roberto Garcia Jr.
- College: Francis College of Engineering
- Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Hometown: Revere, Massachusetts
- Favorite hobbies: Puzzles, long chats with friends, experimenting with technology, and listening to music for hours without end.
- What is your favorite thing about UMass Lowell (UML)? I would say my favorite thing about UML is the experiences I got to have away from home on my own. For my first year away as a developing adult wanting to grow on my own, this university has treated me kindly. Also, the very easy access to soda and coffee. That too.
- What are your future goals? All my life I’ve been adamant about becoming a mechanical engineer. Math and Physics are hard, but I enjoy learning and seeing how they apply to life before my eyes, and how they correlate in engineering. While I am still learning what the diverse field of engineering entails, I am one hundred percent about being one and finding a co-op that best suits me.
- What has having been involved with the RHSA meant to you? Community. Just last year I was a first-generation freshman figuring out how to be a college student. RHSA was an open door to figuring that out. From day one I was given a small group of people with similar experiences to connect with, people to reach out to for help, and opportunities that I otherwise wouldn’t hear about unless by word of mouth. I was given community, and that meant so much to me when I needed ways to put myself on track and get ahead.
- Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself in your first year of college? Be more academically focused. While it’s fine to enjoy college life, and the relaxing environment of being on your own, put as much as you can into your studies. It’s important you get as much out of it as you can, and it won’t sacrifice the relaxed life you think it would. Yes, there are supports everywhere, but the first step is you putting in the work.
- What advice would you give fellow students? You are paying to be here, and even if not, you are spending your time here. Make the most of your time, experience what you can, learn what you must, and learn what interests you. Make it worth it. There are support resources if needed, but they can only help you if you show up for it. College isn’t an experience to be seen as rough, it’s a place to grow into the person you wish to become. Take advantage of that.
- Why did you choose to attend UMass Lowell? I don’t come from money. Like many students around the U.S. money is a serious factor into whether you can go to college. UMass Lowell was the most cost-effective option while staying competitive for my major. It was also far enough for me to live on my own and really experience something different than the life I grew tired of and accustomed to. It felt like the right stepping stone toward the future I want to create.
- What does it mean to you to be a first-generation college student? A label primarily. I am not the closest to my family, as I was raised to focus on just school. Yet I recognize that the label first-generation means I am the first to come this far, and I wouldn’t be here if it weren't for the sacrifices I never get to see. It was generational effort that got me here, and I intend to carry on the torch brightly from my predecessors to beyond. The label means I made it this far, and as a reminder, have much more to go for my future.
- What inspires you to want to help first-generation students in the RHSA? I’ve always been about helping others; If it’s in my range of possibilities, I’d help. If it were someone close to me, I’d go the extra mile. I find that for me, it is easier to help others first than to help myself. My Peer Leader and Faculty Leader were always willing to help, and in my situation of being behind, they helped me to find future opportunities to get ahead. It’s invaluable to have connections and people willing to go the extra mile for you, especially in such an experimental time like being a first-time first-generation college student. I want to reciprocate what the people at RHSA have done for me already and continue to help others as I already like doing. It’s also a community I genuinely think works the way it's supposed to, and I want to further strengthen that for existing members, along with newer members, in the ways that I can.