For first-generation college students, earning a degree is about personal success, opening doors, shifting what feels possible, and creating new opportunities for the generations that follow.
For Anna Martinez, a 2013 graduate of YES Prep Southwest Secondary, that journey began with her mother’s encouragement and a belief that education could create a different future. Today, Anna is a logistics captain in the U.S. Army, an instructor at the Logistics Captain’s Career Course, and a leader whose path has taken her around the world.
Her story reflects the courage, determination and resilience that define so many first-generation college graduates.
Inspired by Family, Driven by Opportunity
Anna’s biggest inspiration to pursue higher education came from her mother. “My mom has always made my education her highest priority,” Anna shared. “She was the one who inspired me to step outside my comfort zone and challenge myself, and she reminded me that college is one of the ways to get ahead in life.”
That encouragement stayed with her as she took the next step after high school. Anna went on to attend Texas A&M University, where she studied international studies with a focus in commerce, and later earned a master’s degree in supply chain, transportation, and logistics from the University of Washington.
Building the Foundation at YES Prep
As a first-generation college student, Anna knew she was stepping into unfamiliar territory. Her mother did not have the opportunity to attend college and did not speak English fluently, which made guidance from school especially meaningful.
Anna says YES Prep helped make college feel possible by exposing her to the college process early and giving her the support she needed to navigate it.
“YES Prep prepared me for college by exposing me to the idea of college, finding the best college for me, and navigating everything that came with applying,” she said.
She also credits YES Prep with helping her understand the discipline and effort it would take to succeed after graduation.
Meeting Challenges with Determination
Like many first-generation students, Anna encountered moments in college that tested her confidence. One of her biggest challenges was recognizing how much further ahead some of her wealthier peers seemed to be.
Rather than letting that discourage her, Anna used it as motivation.
“It taught me that I would have to focus on my strengths and work extra hard on my weaknesses,” she said.
That mindset helped her push forward and shaped the way she now moves through the world. It also deepened her desire to give back to her community and use her experiences to help others.
Leading with Purpose
Today, Anna is serving her country and helping prepare the next generation of military leaders. She has served in the U.S. Army for eight years and is currently an instructor at the Logistics Captain’s Career Course.
Her career has also included a highly selective opportunity through the Army’s Training With Industry program at Deloitte, where she gained exposure to corporate leadership, managerial techniques, and industry practices.
Anna’s journey has taken her into spaces and experiences that once may have felt out of reach. From traveling the world to participating in executive-level meetings, she says being a first-generation college graduate has changed the course of her life and her family’s life as well.
“Being a first-generation college graduate has changed the course of my life and family’s [life],” Anna shared. “I’ve had opportunities that most of my family members have not.”
What First-Generation Success Means
For Anna, being first-generation is not just a title; it is a reminder of how far she has come and of the responsibility she carries to keep growing, learning, and opening doors. Her story is also a reflection of the power of support systems, especially for students who may be navigating college for the first time without a roadmap at home.
She encourages current YES Prep students to embrace growth, seek guidance, and remember that discomfort often comes with progress.
“My advice would be to keep going and network, network, network,” Anna said. “It is important to find mentors that will give you professional advice and are willing to take you under their wing.”
She also reminds students to stay grounded in the people who support them most.
“Never forget your family and friends,” she said. “They’re the ones that will keep encouraging you and be there in your highs and lows.”
A Lasting Legacy
Anna Martinez’s journey is a powerful example of what can happen when determination meets opportunity. As a first-generation college graduate, military leader and proud YES Prep alumna, she is not only building a life of impact for herself, but also showing what is possible for the students who will come after her.
Her story is a reminder that first-generation students do not just reach new milestones. They create new legacies.