Episode 13: Fanning the Flames: First-Gen Students, Research, and the CRISJ Mentoring Program, Part II

In this second episode of “Fanning the Flames,” Dr. Elvia Ramirez interviews two first-generation college students, Diana Rangel and Chris Nuñez, who discuss the ways that the CRISJ Mentoring Program marked a pivotal moment in their academic journeys. Both Diana and Chris describe how the program offered not just guidance, but a sense of belonging, connecting them with faculty mentors and peers who validated their goals and helped them navigate unfamiliar academic structures. Through their shared experiences, they reveal how mentorship can ease uncertainty, build confidence, and open pathways that once seemed out of reach. Their stories together show the transformative power of community and support for students carving out their place in higher education.