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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Jazmine
PUSHING THROUGH CHALLENGES AND ASKING FOR HELP
Jazmine graduated in May of 2017 with a concentration in biology. She then transferred to Governor’s State, where she to pursued biology. Her parents did not attend college, but encouraged her to go. She discusses the challenge of her grandfather being diagnosed with cancer, getting over her nervousness about asking for help, and how she overcame a particularly tough class. Supports Jasmine encourages students to use include: tutoring, faculty office hours, and fellow students.
Juan
FINDING BELONGING AND SUCCESS AFTER DROPPING OUT
Juan graduated in Spring 2018 with a concentration in science before transferring to UIC to major in biology. A first-generation college student, he left high school before returning to earn his diploma at an alternative school, then pressed on to higher education. He credits his persistence in college to the strong connections he built through student organizations, as well as the support he found in resources like the Wellness Center, student clubs, and his peers.