Providing a guiding light: Meet Bianca Alva

by Nikita Conroy

When talking to Bianca Alva, you can tell how much the Promise Program helped her transition into college life. College is tough when you have no form of guidance and Bianca was grateful to receive that from the directors and her coach/learning specialists.

Here is a little background of Bianca. She is a Mexican American and a first-generation student. Her major is Early Childhood Elementary Education and she is a third-year student. Also, her first language is Spanish. As a hobby she likes to crochet, she even made her own hat and her own scarf. She searched on youtube and that is how she learned.

How Has Promise Helped You? Bianca went into detail of everything the Promise Program has helped her with all through college so far. “Promise has helped me in many ways. Since my freshman year I have been tutored by the learning specialist there. She has helped me with almost any subject that I need help with. I also receive emotional support from my coaches and they kind of guide me through anything that I need help with. As first gen I have had many questions of how things would be in college and my coaches have answered all my questions. One time I even asked something simple as “Could you help me find a job?”, and later that day she sent me a list of jobs that I could apply to.

What Obstacles Have You Faced? “As a first gen and a minority I have faced many discriminatory injustices. I have been told that I would never be able to get a degree, and that college would be too hard for me and eventually I would drop out. As first gen I have also had a lot of pressure of becoming someone in life especially for my family and so I carry this big responsibility that makes it very difficult for me. My family doesn’t seem to understand how difficult college is and they always want me to be with them. I am also my brother’s caregiver, so I have to balance school, work, and taking care of him”

What Have You Overcome? “Honestly every day is stressful, but I keep pushing because I know that what I really want in life is to become someone so when I can’t physically lift myself up I go to promise and I know that I have people there that care about me to lift me back up.”

Academic Journeys? “My academic journey has been very difficult, but I wouldn’t change anything about my major or my journey. It has helped become the person I am now.”

Would You Encourage Others? “Yes, I would encourage many people to the promise program and to MMU. Promise is a great program that helps students who are first gen, and a minority.”