Maricopa Colleges celebrate first-generation students with support, opportunities

By Stacy Mantle
Mail

Anisa Amaya remembers the moment the college acceptance email came through — a milestone that felt out of reach for someone whose family had never navigated higher education.

“I remember being so proud of those acceptance letters from ASU and NAU right out of high school,” said Amaya. “But, in the end, I went to a community college due to the expense. I took a break at 21 due to becoming a parent and wanting to focus on son."

Amaya went back to college when she was 28 after her "frontal lobe was fully developed." Having found the classes associated with criminal psychology "nothing like how 'Law and Order' portrayed it," she began studies to become a nuclear medicine technician. 

Amaya is earning her degree at Gateway Community College, raising the bar for her entire family thanks to the TRIO program. She represents nearly half of all students across the Maricopa Community Colleges who are the first in their families to attempt — and succeed — in higher education.

It’s a group of people MCC officials are focused on to make sure they have the support to be successful. 

"Since I joined program, we get grants every semester based on participation, tutoring sessions, financial literacy workshops and more," Amaya said. "It's been a game changer." 

“Research consistently shows that first-generation students face challenges navigating college systems,” said Donna Lopez Martinez, director of student affairs and special populations at Maricopa Community Colleges. “It’s overwhelming to become knowledgeable about financial aid, balancing work and family responsibilities and dealing with feelings of isolation, as though one doesn’t belong in college. These hurdles make the college journey feel overwhelming, even for the most motivated students.” 

First Generation College Celebration Day

On Nov. 8, Maricopa Community Colleges joined institutions nationwide for First-Generation College Celebration Day. The date corresponded with the 60th anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965, the law that opened college doors through federal financial aid and continues to shape students’ futures.

Nearly 44% of college students in Arizona are the first in their families to attend college, giving the state the third-highest share of first-generation students in the nation. At Maricopa Community Colleges — Arizona’s largest higher-education system — 47% of students are first-generation, including 60% of those enrolled in its 11 bachelor’s degree programs.

Across Maricopa’s 10 colleges, first-generation students enrich campus communities with their resilience and diverse perspectives. Yet, many face barriers that range from navigating complex systems and managing financial challenges to balancing family responsibilities — often without prior family experience in higher education.

“Mentorship is powerful for any student, especially a first-generation student,” Martinez said. “It’s not a privilege but nearly a necessity to provide first-generation students with guidance, support and the kinds of networks and knowledge that can help them thrive, day one. Research consistently shows that when students feel seen, supported and connected through responsive mentorship, their confidence and success increase dramatically.”

Supporting the solution

To address the needs of first-generation students, Maricopa Community Colleges offer student success programs such as academic advising, career planning, tutoring, counseling, university transfer guidance and new-student orientations.

These initiatives are critical during the freshman year, which experts say is a pivotal point in determining retention and graduation outcomes for first-generation students.

The district also supports early college opportunities through its Achieving a College Education program, serving more than 100 high schools across Maricopa County. The scholarship-based initiative helps high school juniors and seniors earn up to 24 college credits, easing the transition to higher education and improving degree completion rates among at-risk and first-generation youth.

“Receiving a credential, whether it be a certificate or a degree, is essential for anyone to thrive economically,” said Martinez. “It is imperative to educate our communities in Maricopa County and across Arizona.”

Taide Pineda is another student who exemplifies the determination of first-generation college students. Pineda is attending two colleges full-time, pursuing an associates degree in applied science in marketing and sales at Phoenix College and a bachelor’s degree in communications at Arizona State University.

“Being a first-generation college student means achieving something that the generations before me hoped to achieve, but financially were unable to,” Pineda said, crediting the HSI Elevate program (formerly HSI EXCELence) for providing scholarship support and guidance. “It means raising the bar for my family members moving forward.”

The message is clear: their success is not just personal — it strengthens families, communities and Arizona’s future workforce.

“My son now tells me he wants to be 'a gecco,' which is how he refers to Gateway Community College,” said  Amaya. “I love knowing that I make my son proud. He tells me every day that he can’t wait to go to college just like me!”

Amaya also loves being able to cheer on her younger sister, setting an example of what is possible with hard work and dedication. 

“Our state is growing fast and demands a highly skilled, adaptable workforce,” Martinez said. “Just a few of our fastest-growing industries are advanced manufacturing, health care and technology. Employers are looking for workers who can think critically. These are strengths developed through certificate and/or degree pathways.”

Amaya sums it up best: "It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be the first person to make a difference in your family. But it is possible if you believe in yourself and work hard. I wish that confidence for everyone struggling with being a first-gen college student."

Stacy Mantle
Education Solutions Reporter

smantle@iniusa.org

Meet Stacy
Stacy Mantle is joining the team at Independent Newsmedia, Inc. as an Education Solutions journalist, thanks to a grant from the Arizona Community Collaborative. She has a long history in education that ranges from teaching junior high and middle school to developing curriculum and standards-based assessments.

Community: A longtime advocate for animal welfare, Stacy is deeply involved in rescue efforts and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations.

Random Fact: Once upon a time, she shared her home with a pet coyote and two wolf hybrids. The experiences were wild enough to become the subject of her first book!

Education: She holds a BA in English with a minor in Political Science, a Post-baccalaureate in Secondary Education, and an MBA with a emphasis on Marketing.

Hobbies: In her spare time, Stacy writes fast-paced urban fantasy novels, crafts small-batch artisan soap, and is always up for hiking or off-roading through the Arizona wilderness with her husband of 23 years.