YES Prep’s first-generation alumni are opening doors for themselves, their families, and for the students who will follow. As part of our College Initiatives First-Generation Alumni series, we’re highlighting graduates whose journeys reflect resilience, purpose, and the power of community support.
Building a Future and Breaking a Cycle
For Darlene Ariel Garcia, a YES Prep North Central alum now pursuing Finance and Accounting with a minor in Business Technology and Analytics at the University of Notre Dame, college is both a personal goal and a promise to the next generation. She set her sights on building a stable life, one where she wouldn’t have to overwork just to get by and on breaking a family pattern in which college felt out of reach. “One day, I want to guide my younger relatives through a process I had to navigate without a roadmap,” Darlene shared. “I want them to grow up with parents who understand the journey and can walk beside them.”
Supported from Application to Arrival and Beyond
YES Prep’s College Initiatives helped Darlene move from aspiration to action. Through step-by-step guidance during the application and pre-enrollment process and continued encouragement once she arrived on campus, she found the confidence to adapt to a demanding new environment. Knowing she could still reach back to YES Prep for support made the difference between going to college and thriving there.
Facing Imposter Syndrome, Finding Community
Early setbacks tested her confidence. After struggling on two early exams, Darlene wondered whether she truly belonged. “What helped me was seeking support through the campus wellness center and connecting with other students who shared similar experiences,” Darlene said. “Building those relationships reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that I deserved to be here just as much as anyone else.”
Leading on Campus and Looking Ahead
Today, Darlene balances coursework with a part-time job and active involvement in major-specific clubs that offer mentorship and career insight. She’s also part of the Transformational Leadership Program for first-generation students, where she’s building skills, networks, and the confidence to lead. Each step is preparing her for a career where data, strategy, and purpose meet.
What First-Gen Means for Her Family
Earning a degree is more than a personal milestone, it’s a family achievement. For Darlene, graduation will symbolize, “everything,” she said. “Being first-gen is about being a symbol of hope and possibility for my family. I’m showing them that it’s possible to break the cycle of dropping out or never pursuing higher education. I’m not just earning a degree, I’m paving the way for others to believe in their own potential.”
Advice for YES Prep Students
Darlene encourages current students to stretch, step outside your comfort zone, say yes to opportunities that feel intimidating, and remember why you’re here. You’ve made it this far for a reason. You belong. Your story matters. And your journey is just beginning.
Darlene’s path reflects the heart of YES Prep’s mission, to prepare students to pursue lives of opportunity and the strength of our first-generation community.
Continue following our First-Generation College Celebration series as we share more alumni stories that inspire, connect, and lead the way forward.
Explore related stories in our College Initiatives series: The YES Prep College Advantage and After the Diploma.