Morning commencement class speaker, Monica Garcia encourages class to lean into their authenticity

As a First Generation college student, Monica Garcia began her time at UW-Green Bay unsure of her value as a college student and the challenges that would await. Mentors, friends, professors and her family offered support and guidance, and shortly, Garcia learned that when she embraced her true and authentic self, she had much to offer.

Garcia found her footing as a student and more importantly, she learned that her voice, her passion for connection, mentorship and encouraging others will create remarkable change in the region.

Read Garcia’s comments, below.

“Good morning families, friends, and fellow graduates. I would like to say congratulations to all the graduates as today we celebrate one of the greatest accomplishments of our lives. We have worked tirelessly and persistently to get to this moment, and for many of us, this journey was one that we did not do alone.

Over the past four years, we have met classmates, faculty, and staff who have challenged us, supported us, and shaped who we are. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and connecting with so many individuals who have made a lasting impact on my life, and I know many of you can say the same. Honestly, I can say that I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today without them. Such as being able to stand up here and speak to you all.

I’m proud to stand here today as a first-generation college student. A first-gen students college experience is unique to that of their peers because not only are we stepping into a new chapter of our lives, but we are also learning to navigate it on our own. While my parents may not have had the knowledge or experience of going to college, they supported me in other ways in which they knew how. By pushing me to do my best and to become the best version of myself. However, I still came across several challenges, one that I think many of us can relate to, imposter syndrome. It’s easy to feel like you haven’t earned your place because the individuals around you seemed to have more to say and that they had it all figured out. However, from what I have learned during my time here is that no one’s path is perfect and that you always have something valuable to bring to the table. In fact, it’s often our unique experiences that resonate the most with others who share a similar story.

I want to take a moment to recognize someone who taught me just how much what I bring to the table matters. Kristi Pearson works as an assistant dean of students for the UW-Green Bay Sheboygan and Manitowoc campuses. She was my boss for two years but has been a mentor and a friend for the past four. She took a chance on me by inviting me to speak on a panel in which I would be talking about my college experiences to an incoming class. I was hesitant at first because for one I had no clue who I was talking to or why she was reaching out to me in the first place. But I agreed to it and everything changed from there. That one opportunity led to a campus jobs, to me being part of an amazing student organization, and to meet some of my now greatest friends. I was also able to give back to a campus that had given me so much. During my time at Sheboygan, I met several inspiring faculty and staff who continuously encouraged me to step into new roles. You all know who you are. This small but mighty campus—and the amazing people within it became the launchpad for my college journey.

Transferring to the Green Bay campus brought me back to square one and those feelings of imposter syndrome crept back in. My support system changed, and the relationships I had built before no longer surrounded me, making it harder to find my place. I eventually found my footing once I got connected with the staff at the Student Engagement Center. I took on several roles there—from working as a student ambassador to serving as a programmer for Good Times Programming. However, the one opportunity that truly shifted my perspective–and in many ways, my purpose—was my inclusive excellence internship with Stacie Christian. Through this internship, I worked with several other students to help create more inclusive spaces within the university and in many ways give a voice to our students. We worked on projects that supported first-gen students and contributed to UW-Green Bay’s efforts to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Being part of this internship taught me what true inclusion looks like. This experience had a profound impact on me and inspired me to keep pushing for these inclusive spaces through working with students. I became a New Scholars Rising Mentor, an incredible program where upperclassmen who identify as first gen or students of color mentor first-year students who share that identity. I was lucky enough to be paired with two amazing mentees, Brisset and Alvinia. Watching them grow from their first year to their next—and seeing all they’ve accomplished reminded me of how powerful support and representation really are.

This path also led me to become a TA for the Intro to Democracy and Justice Studies 101 class which honestly still surprises me because I had never imagined I’d be the kind of student a professor would remember. The DJS faculty are some of the most remarkable, supportive, and uplifting individuals that I have met, and I am extremely grateful for professors like Jon Shelton, Katia Levintova, and Kim Reilly. Each of them has offered guidance in different ways.  I especially want to give a big, big thanks to Katia because I wouldn’t be graduating today without her. I am not joking when I say that.

Another person who has also impacted my college journey is Professor Christine Smith. She has become both a friend and a mentor. She taught me how to grow academically, but also that my identity is not something that should hold me back. She helped me see that I’m not alone in the cultural challenges I face. She offered me all sorts of amazing opportunities such as working with her on research for my honors course and getting the chance to present research at two national psychology conferences, which never in a million years did I think I’d be capable of.

Looking back at all of these experiences, the one thing that ties them together is connection. Every person I’ve met, every opportunity I’ve had helped me better understand my story. Through their support, I learned that when we surround ourselves with people who see us, hear us, and believe in us, we can accomplish more than we could have ever imagined.

So, I wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to every person I’ve met, worked with, and connected with on my journey. You helped me grow from a student who once felt like they had nothing—to someone who has everything and more.

Y a mis padres, que vinieron buscando nuevas y mejores opportunidades para sus hijos, gracias. Este diploma no es solo un logro, sino un testimonio de los sacrificios y el apoyo que me han dado para seguir adelante. Los quiero mucho.

With each connection that we make we are reminded that our stories, especially those that are overlooked—carry power. I know I am not alone in feeling the frustration and uneasiness brought on by the current state of our country. The spaces and people who have worked endlessly to be seen, to be heard, and to have a seat at the table are being impacted. I and perhaps many of you are also feeling that fear that comes with the uncertainty of our futures. But if there is one thing that I have learned from the past four years and through the people I have met along the way, it is to never be ashamed of who you are. This past semester, I had the wonderful opportunity to work alongside the Pride Center to host Drag Me To Bingo—an event in which we played bingo and had drag queens perform. Drag Queen Bingo was more than just an event for UWGB students and me. It was a testament to the fact that marginalized communities are not going anywhere. While it may feel like the entire world may be against you there are still individuals who see you, hear you, and know that you are not alone.

With these many moments of doubt and adversity, it may seem easy to retreat—to make ourselves smaller in the hopes of feeling safe or accepted. But the truth is that our authenticity is our greatest strength. The more that we show up as our unapologetic selves, the more we make others feel comfortable enough to do the same. So, I urge you all to continue taking up space and to lean on others. Become that safe space that people need at this time. Educate yourself—not just for your own growth, but to better support those around you. Seek out books, attend workshops and other events, follow educators and advocates on social media, and do not be afraid to sit with discomfort. Our work matters, because when we raise our voices, tell our stories, and hold the door open for others, we continue to hold on to that power.”