When fall semester kicked off Aug. 22, Cal Poly Pomona welcomed more than 4,000 first-time freshmen.
Among those new faces were Kiah Hunter, Jocelin Guevara and Adamaris Rosas, who took some time out during their orientation to share what it means to attend the university and their hopes for the future.
Kiah Hunter, a first-generation student studying animal science, comes from Kern Valley High School in Lake Isabella, California. Two high school classes in animal science led her to apply to Cal Poly Pomona’s Huntley College of Agriculture. Hunter said that she really liked the idea of going to a four-year university and applied thanks to a passionate teacher’s suggestion to look into CPP.
“I really enjoyed helping the animals, so my teacher, Emily Keverline, was really excited for me when I was accepted,” Hunter said. “I’m one of her first students to come to CPP.”
Hunter said she wants to get involved with the school and take the hands-on learning approach seriously. She hopes to one day open her own animal clinic.
Jocelin Guevara, a first-generation student from Montclair High School, says studying criminology at Cal Poly Pomona will help her make a difference in the world.
“My parents both went to college but had to drop out to support their families by working,” Guevara said. “They always motivated me to do better for myself and my family in the future.”
After sending out applications and eagerly waiting for a response, Guevara remembers the moment she told her family she was accepted into CPP.
“I was really happy, and I remember my mom crying because she was so excited that I was going to go to a good school,” she said.
Guevara wants to be a forensic scientist.
“I want to help solve crimes and provide for my family because I want to give back to them by securing their future,” she said. “Going to Cal Poly Pomona will help me do that.”
For Adamaris Rosas, a first-generation student from Riverside Stem Academy in Riverside, attending college to pursue a career in animal science was something she’s looked forward to since she was young.
“Ever since I was little my parents always told me that education is important to get a good job or to grow intellectually,” Rosas said.
Rosas’ parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico and did not attend college. Her mother wanted to pursue veterinary studies in Mexico but could not when she moved her family to the United States. After graduation, Rosas wants to attend veterinary school.
“My mom shared her love for animals with me starting when I was a child,” she said. “I want to be successful in school for her.”
Rosas said her high school counselor helped her find Cal Poly Pomona and the animal science program in the Huntley College of Agriculture.
“I’m excited about how hands on everything seems to be here,” Rosas said. “I’m really excited to work with animals one-on-one and want to take the class where I can help deliver a foal.”