Video Interviews
These interviews feature community college graduates (and near graduates) and first-generation students reflecting on their academic journeys in their own words. Each video offers insight into the motivations, challenges, and decisions that shaped their experience—from first-day anxiety to choosing majors, managing work and school, and building relationships on campus. You’re invited to listen deeply, pause where something resonates, and share these stories with students or colleagues who may benefit from them. When viewing these interviews, please:
Do not download, repost, or share the videos outside of this site.
Approach the stories with the same care and respect you would in a face-to-face conversation.
Thank you for helping protect and honor the voices of our students.
There are two ways to navigate the video library.
To get to popular themes or to return back to the full video library, use the “skip to” feature below.
To follow smaller themes, note that each video post has tags listed at the bottom of the description page. Click on a tag to get to other videos with the same tag.
Click on the student’s photo to get to their full interview.
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Marnee
TURNING PAIN INTO PASSION FOR SERVING THE COMMUNITY
Marnee graduated with an AS in science in 2022 and now studies sociology and philosophy at UIC, with the goal of becoming a community college president. One of ten children, they dropped out of high school at 18, worked as a janitor, and returned to school determined to succeed. As an evening student, Marnee founded the Night Student Advocates to expand after-hours resources and later served two terms as student government president. Despite personal and financial hardships, rejections, and self-doubt, their peers’ determination—and the support of students, faculty, and a close campus community—kept them moving forward.
Samer
FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO COLUMBIA UNIVESITY
Samer graduated after summer of 2018 with a concentration in political science and then transferred to Columbia University in New York City. He is both a first-generation college student and a first-generation American. His legal status kept him from attending college right away, but he stayed focused on his commitment to attend school with a plan to eventually get into politics. Samer discusses his struggle with math, and how he overcame this challenge. He utilized the Wellness Center and the Advising Office and highly recommends club involvement to help students build community.