Club Spotlight: The First-Generation Student Association

Your MBA journey at Kellogg stretches beyond the classroom.  Our students are leaders who create communities based on shared social and cultural values and interests as well as industries and geography.  

The First-Generation Student Association is in its first year on campus, and we spoke with co-president Victor Da Silva ’24, a student in the Two-Year MBA Program, to learn more about who they are, what brought them together and how they plan to support other first-generation MBA students. 

Congratulations on starting your MBA journey at Kellogg! What has been one of the most exciting or impressive moments or experiences of your first quarter? 

Diving into the first quarter at Kellogg felt like stepping into a flood of opportunities. The breadth of experiences available here is staggering. From day one, I found myself immersed in challenging coursework that pushed me to my limits. The classes were engaging, but they also demanded a lot from me with all the readings, assignments and other activities. The learning curve was steep, but incredibly rewarding.

The volume of activity buzzing around the various clubs and organizations also blew me away. It felt like my Slack inbox was in a constant state of overflow with invitations to events, workshops and networking opportunities.

And then there’s the internship recruiting process that kicks off relatively early in the program. I quickly realized that navigating the MBA landscape requires a strategic approach to time management.

Despite feeling a bit like I was drinking from a firehose at times, we — the club officers and I — all adapted and found our footing. Learning to prioritize and manage my time effectively has been a crucial skill I’ve honed during these initial months. It’s been a challenging journey, but one that’s already taught me so much about resilience and resourcefulness. 

You along with two of your peers — Luis Arturo Rangel Escobedo ’24 and Yvette Anguiano ’24, Two-Year MBA Program students — have also started a new club on campus for first-generation MBA students. What does it mean to be a part of this effort, and why is it important for you to create this space? 

As first-generation college students ourselves, Luis Arturo, Yvette and I deeply understand the unique challenges our community faces. From navigating academia solo to managing financial responsibilities and dealing with imposter syndrome, the journey is undeniably challenging. While our experiences have made us resilient some obstacles persist. 

Our club isn’t just about forming a group — it’s about creating a lifeline for those who share our background. We’ve been lucky to receive immense support from peers, fellow first-generation students, and faculty during our academic journeys. Now, we’re paying it forward by establishing a safe space where our community can openly share experiences, offer guidance and provide support. 

By founding this club, we aim to address the needs of first-generation MBA students and enrich the Kellogg community as a whole. We want to foster an even more inclusive and supportive environment — one that celebrates diverse perspectives and empowers every member to thrive. 

Being the first to do anything can be exciting and thrilling while carrying some pressure as well. What does it mean to you to be a first-generation MBA student? 

Being a first-generation MBA student holds a dual significance for me. On one hand, it can feel daunting to navigate the social dynamics of the MBA world, especially in the beginning. Coming from a different background, it's easy to feel like an outsider or to struggle with imposter syndrome questioning whether I truly belong here. Moreover, like many of my peers, I must juggle the financial responsibility of supporting my family alongside the demands of my education adding another layer of complexity and concern to the journey.

Yet, on the flip side, the journey until here, including my MBA experience, has allowed me to mature significantly. While being a low-income, first-generation student may have brought feelings of shame during my undergraduate years, it now fills me with pride for my resilience, life experience and sense of achievement. Being a first-generation student for me means being a go-getter, someone who has developed a profound thirst for continuous learning and personal growth as a student, a professional and as an individual. 

What are some of the goals for the club?

We’ve outlined goals aligned with our three main pillars: community & belonging, support and visibility. We want to establish a robust structure for the club, laying the foundation for its sustainability and growth. We’re actively recruiting and expanding our team to enhance our impact within the community and guarantee the club’s continuity. 

A key objective is to provide comprehensive support and information to prospective and current first-generation students. This includes offering guidance on navigating the unique challenges of the MBA experience from financial estimates to managing imposter syndrome. 

Additionally, we’re committed to fostering meaningful connections among students and alumni through networking opportunities and mentorship programs to empower every member of our community.

Furthermore, we aim to increase the visibility and awareness of first-generation MBA student experiences within the Kellogg community and beyond. We plan to launch initiatives like “Hear My Story” events where Kellogg students share their personal narratives. Looking ahead, we envision annual events such as First-Generation Student Week bringing pertinent events for the community, as well as organizing conferences to address relevant topics and facilitate meaningful discussions among prospective students, current students and alumni. 

How has the Kellogg community supported this club in coming to fruition? 

The support we’ve received from the Kellogg community has been instrumental in bringing the club to fruition. It all began with the Hispanic Management Association's (HMA) club 2021-2022 allyship committee. They used HMA funds to organize a celebratory luncheon for graduating first-generation students. At this event, professor Brenda Booth delivered an inspiring keynote address followed by a panel discussion featuring second-year students offering valuable insights to first-year students.

As a thoughtful gesture, the second-year students were presented with first-generation stoles as graduation gifts. This initial momentum paved the way for further collaboration with the Office of Student Life and the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion department of Kellogg.

The ongoing support from students, faculty, and professors has been remarkable, and it has allowed us to establish and lead the club. Additionally, we’ve been fortunate to receive financial support, guidance and access to resources from Kellogg, for which we are deeply grateful.

Moreover, the student community’s enthusiasm has been overwhelming. We've witnessed active participation in events, valuable sharing of resources through our Slack channel and a genuine spirit of camaraderie among our peers.

What is one thing you’d like other first-generation MBA candidates and prospective students to know? 

I want other first-generation MBA candidates and prospective students to feel assured that they belong here at Kellogg. Their unique perspective is not only welcomed but highly valued in enriching our community. If they ever need support, we’re here and ready to help in any way we can. 

Meet First-Generation Student Association members 

Victor is a proud Brazilian first-generation MBA candidate at Kellogg. With a passion for diversity and inclusion, Victor has spearheaded numerous initiatives throughout his career and has seven plus years of experience in growth marketing in tech companies.  

Outside of the Tech world, Victor enjoys playing tennis, exploring new destinations through travel and spending time with wife, family, and friends. 

Luis is a Mexican-born first-generation MBA candidate at Kellogg. He has been involved with multiple nonprofits championing education, support, and nurtured growth of underserved youth, and seeks to continue contributing throughout his professional life. He has worked in product management for various financial services and big tech companies, most recently in Seattle at Amazon as Sr. PMT for his MBA internship.

When not planning world domination, Luis enjoys spending time with his loved ones (including his beautiful dog, Cliff), playing Go, practicing extended underwater swimming, and looking for any excuse to be outside.

Yvette is a Mexican-American, first-generation, and low-income college graduate and now an MBA candidate at Kellogg. Having benefitted from a local Dallas educational nonprofit, she has dedicated the past 12-plus years to giving back through educational nonprofits serving low-income urban youth in a mentoring, volunteering, professional development and advisory board capacity. At Kellogg, she’s also involved with the Hispanic Management Association and Pride@Kellogg. Outside of school, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, running marathons, pottery and spending quality time with friends and family.  

Read next: A great power in words: An MBA student’s mental health journey