Are you a first generation student graduating in the spring 2021 classes from University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso Community College or Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso? 

As we prepare for graduation season, El Paso Matters wants to highlight the experiences and celebrate the achievements of first generation students in our region. 

We are looking to receive personal essays that are 2-3 paragraphs (250 – 750 words) about your perspective of being a first generation graduate. Tell us about your time at the institution, what you studied, what graduating means to you and your family and your future plans.

To share your story, email your personal essays to our higher education reporter, Jewél Jackson at jjackson@elpasomatter.org by May 10.

Or fill out this form:

Jewél Jackson covers higher education for El Paso Matters, through a partnership with Open Campus Media. She is a 2020 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.