Dr. Cristina Aguirre, Chief Program Officer at BLCI, recently earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Social Justice from Fresno State University. Since joining BLCI in 2015, Cristina has been dedicated to guiding students through their final steps toward college enrollment. As a first-generation college graduate herself, she understands the transformative power of higher education and leads by example, demonstrating what can be made possible with determination and perseverance. With her doctorate, Cristina is now among the 1% of Latinas who hold an Ed.D., further solidifying her role as a trailblazer for educational equity.
For her dissertation, Cristina chose to look at the impact starting a college access program in the third grade would have on first generation college youth. As our youth continue to recover from the educational losses that were a result of the pandemic, post-secondary education of historically underserved students like first generation college students (FGCS) has become even more important. Those with only a high school degree or less experienced the highest unemployment rate, and while 56% of students who enrolled in college nationwide identify as FGCS, less than half are completing their degree.
These stats were significantly lower than BLCI youth, who continue to report 100% of graduates enrolling in college within 6 months of high school graduation and a 95% persistence rate. College completion within 6 years for BLCI alumni is reported at a high of 72%, well above the state average of 56%, and nearly tripling the expected average of 21% for first generation, low-income students like the population we serve.
The severe disparity in outcomes led Cristina to further study the factors and interventions that contributed to college enrollment and completion for BLCI families. Four core elements were found to contribute to the success of BLCI students enrolling, persisting, and graduating college:
1. A Family That Learns Together Succeeds Together: the workshops, one on one’s, and college going culture BLCI provided to the families, students, and parents throughout the program pipeline prepared them to be college ready and knowledgeable about the process.
2. Experiences Beyond the Barrio: activities outside of the class/workshops that were academic or non-academic, that they would not have had if they were not a part of BLCI contributed to increased self-confidence and having shared experiences with non-FGCS peers in college. These relatable soft-skill experiences helped decrease “imposter syndrome” and prepared students for life outside of their personal community.
3. I Believe I Can Fly: Participants highlighted the emotional, non-monetary support they felt from staff and parents which strengthened their belief that they could go to and graduate from college. Their support system was reinforced by feeling there was someone in their corner throughout the years. Parents’ believed their child would go to college simply by joining and being part of BLCI, because of BLCI’s reputation and outcomes.
4. Soy Primero, I am the First… : Hearing stories and experiences from other FGCS, especially BLCI alumni and staff, inspired them to believe in their ability to enroll in, persist, and graduate college.
BLCI’s 100% college success rate isn’t the result of a single task or program—it’s the culmination of years of support, dedication, and mentoring. As first-generation college students, BLCI youth face unique challenges, lacking generational access to college readiness. Being “the first” means they cannot rely on familial guidance or experience to navigate the path to higher education. That’s where BLCI steps in, providing the critical support they need to succeed.
If you haven’t done so already, please consider making a tax deductible year end gift to BLCI. 100% of donations will be matched and can help ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential through education.
Questions? Want to learn more about Dr. Aguirre’s Research? Contact erin@BLCI.org
Prefer to mail in your contribution? Please address check to Century Club of San Diego with a memo of BLCI.
“They [BLCI] have opened the doors for me to new opportunities and have helped my family in many ways like helping my brother and I with college applications.”
Dana
BLCI Senior
