In November, three students from the Colin Powell School — Carolina Fernandez, Ishika Nawar, and Erick Martinez — presented their impactful research at the 39th Annual Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Conference. Guided by faculty mentor Hugh Fox, their work highlighted effective strategies for helping first-generation students achieve social mobility.
The students’ presentation, titled “A Tale of Two Cities: Advancing First-Generation Pathways for Social Mobility,” was part of the Colin Powell School’s Research Mentors Fellowship program. The mixed-methods research, conducted in partnership with Alamo Colleges District, examined how institutions can intentionally foster career success for students who are often the first in their families to attend college.
The findings showcased replicable models like career-integrated learning, strong mentorship, and fellowships that connect the classroom directly to professional opportunities and impact the likelihood of underrepresented students securing full-time employment.
Their research also highlighted the powerful role of student organizations (like ALPFA and SHPE) and internships, noting that students actively involved in leadership roles are significantly more likely to land career opportunities.
As Carolina Fernandez points out “you’d be surprised how many others share similar experiences and paths. Partnering with Dr. Martha Treviño from Alamo College reminded me that, although we come from different institutions, many of our challenges are the same. Sometimes being put on the spot makes a presentation feel even more genuine and authentic.”
The Power of Lived Experience
For the students, presenting at a national conference was an opportunity to showcase not just data, but their lived experiences.
Erick Martinez reflected on the reception: “Networking with professionals who wanted to learn more about our work gave me a new perspective on how valuable this research truly is. It showed that the experiences we live every day as student leaders can actually help shape policy and programs at other universities.“
The authenticity of their presentation deeply resonated with attendees.
Professor Fox emphasized the broader significance of their presentation.”What our students brought to HACU was not just research — they brought voice, courage, and community. They showed that when first-generation scholars are supported, they don’t just rise; they lift others with them.”
Key Takeaways for Higher Education
The students’ work provided clear evidence that the path to social mobility is deeply shaped by belonging, mentorship, and community care. Their findings offered university leaders and career development staff concrete strategies for strengthening support systems for underrepresented students nationwide.
The conference also reinforced the importance of student advocacy and self-confidence.
Ishika Nawar advised on the experience: “Another takeaway of mine has been realizing that it’s okay to not know the answers to all questions, even for your own research topic. After all, the point of research is to further learn, and there’s always room to learn even from audience members.”
