First-Generation College Student

Upcoming Events

Movies on the Hill: McFarland, USA - Hispanic Heritage Month

09/17/25

First-Gen Info Session Meet & Greet

09/18/25

First-Gen Cerro Coso staff members

Are you a First-Generation College Student?

It's okay to be unsure. Many first-generation or commonly known as, first-gen, students are unaware of their first-gen status until they reach college, making it difficult to access resources. In this webpage, we will help you determine your status and provide you with tips for applying to and attending college.

Cerro Coso First-Gen Definition
You are considered a first-gen Cerro Coso student if your parents did not complete a 4-year college or university degree.

Events

First-Gen Info Session

September 18, 2025

12:30-1:30 PM

Join Outreach Services Info Session and Q&A to learn more about being a Cerro Coso First-Gen college student.

We will help answer your questions and provide you with the resources, and important information to help you have a successful college journey!

For more details, view the First-Gen Info Session event.

Primera Generación Sesión Informativa

18 de septiembre de 2025

12:30 a 1:30 PM

Únete a la sesión informativa y de preguntas y respuestas de Servicios de Outreach para aprender más sobre lo que significa ser un estudiante de primera generación en Cerro Coso.

Te ayudaremos a responder tus preguntas y te proporcionaremos recursos e información importante para ayudarte a tener un experiencia universitaria exitosa!

Para obtener más detalles, consulte el evento de primera generación sesión informativa.

 

Myeisha Blackburn
Education is an incredibly personal issue for me. If you're the first generation to go to college, sometimes you don't realize your potential until others point it out.
Myeisha Blackburn
Social & Behavorial Sciences

Sara Romero
I wasn't the first one in my family to decide to go to college, I was the first one who had the opportunity.
Sara Romero
Psychology

Cerro Coso First-Gen Campus Resources

Resources to help you succeed through your college journey here at Cerro Coso!


President Hancock holding 1st Gen frame.

We Are First Gen

Cerro Coso President, Sean Hancock is proud to be a First-Generation student.

From Humble Beginnings to Higher Education Leadership

My journey to becoming a respected leader in higher education began at a California community college in the Central San Joaquin Valley. As the first in my family to pursue higher education, I faced unique challenges that shaped my determination and resilience.

Growing up, my aunt and uncle instilled in me the importance of education and hard work. Despite the financial limitation they faced, they encouraged me to reach for my goals. With their unwavering support, I embarked on my academic journey, balancing part-time jobs with my studies.

My early experiences as a first-generation college student taught me the value of perseverance and resourcefulness. It was those early lessons that would prove invaluable as I learned to navigate unfamiliar environments, and numerous stops and starts as I progressed through my academic career. Over the years, my passion for learning and commitment to serving others led me to pursue advanced degrees.

Today, I hope to continue inspiring others with my story of perseverance and achievement, serving as a testament to the power of education to transform lives and create opportunities.

– President, Sean Hancock


Additional Cerro Coso First-Gen Campus Resources

Important Information

 

First-Gen Staff and Management at Cerro Coso.