This is What First-Gen Day Means to Me: A Message From Isabel Reyes
First-gen college student studying cinema and media studies at UC Davis, Isabel Reyes, shares about what it means to be the first in her family pursuing higher education and how support from Making Waves donors makes a positive impact.
Survivor’s Guide to Being a BIPOC Student in College
Many first-year college students face similar challenges finding community, but colleges understand this fact and offer lots of resources. Here are some ways to navigate college life as a Black, Indigenous and Person of Color, or BIPOC, student.
Want to get a free flight and stay for a college visit? These ‘fly-in’ programs are now open
A college or university fly-in program is a fully funded multi-day opportunity (virtually or in person) to explore colleges and universities for students who may not have the financial means to travel and visit their campuses.
Making Waves College Graduates Cross the Finish Line with Confidence and Courage
The class of 2025 shares their inspiring college journeys, post-grad plans – from sports PR to vaccine development – and how Making Waves helped them thrive through challenges, internships, and community impact.
Bouncing Back, Moving Forward: Celebrating Making Waves Academy’s Class of 2025
Meet the largest class to graduate from Making Waves Academy: the Class of 2025, known as the 22nd Wave! 95% are heading to two- or four-year colleges and universities.
Designing Her Future in Game Design
Naidelyn Aceves (she/her) is no stranger to navigating unfamiliar spaces – from being a first-generation college student from Pittsburg, California to attending UC Santa Cruz to majoring in art and design with a focus in games and playable media.
Two Worlds Collide: Using Sports and Public Relations to Build Community
A first-generation college graduate pursuing her dreams in public relations, Chaylah Williams shared: “Know where you’re going, why you’re going, and know what you’re going to do when you get there.”
Your college campus resource guide: San Francisco State University
Whether you’re looking for academic help, mental health services, career guidance, or a sense of community, SFSU offers so much more than you might realize! SFSU student Trinity Brown made this guide to help you find what you need and remind you that you don’t have to navigate college life alone.
Waves of Change: Stories of Men of Color in Higher Education
Education should be a bridge to opportunities rather than a barrier. We hope this conversation helps current and future college students feel understood, connected, and inspired.
A future professor, lawyer, and medical assistant share about their internship experiences
For many young people, an internship can change their career and life trajectory. Yet, 70+% of first-generation college students are missing out on internships. Making Waves has a created a new fund to support students to say “yes” to opportunities they might otherwise have to turn down due to financial barriers. Here are some of their stories.
“The Sky Is the Limit”: How Armando is Beating the Odds in Education and Psychology
Voices of Making Waves: Meet Armando Ramirez “I always try to advocate for both mental health and for higher education, especially in the Latino community,” shared Armando Ramirez (he/him). “It […]
Staying Healthy in College: Five Must-Know Wellness Resources for Students
When you first start college, you don’t always know the resources around you. These tips and resources are here to help you take care of your overall wellness. Taking care of yourself allows you to have better connections, better study habits, and overall impacts your mental and physical wellbeing in a positive manner.