First-generation student Q&A: Cesar Ibarra-Lopez ’26

First-Generation College Celebration Day is recognized every year on Nov. 8. This year, Randolph is celebrating first-gen students all week long and will hold an induction ceremony for Tri-Alpha, which celebrates the academic accomplishments of first-generation college students, on Wednesday, Nov. 5. 

As we prepare for the ceremony, we will be profiling some of Randolph’s first-generation students.

Cesar Ibarra-Lopez ’26

Hometown: Nelson County, Virginia

Studying: Political science 

What does it mean to you to be a first-generation student?

To be a first generation student is to step into the unknown, get out of your comfort zone, and do things that haven’t been done in your family before.

What or who inspired you to pursue higher education? 

My parents were the biggest inspiration for me to pursue higher education because they wanted a better future for me to be successful.

What challenges did you face as a first-gen student, and how did you overcome them? 

As a first-gen student, there are a lot of challenges that one faces. For me, there was no foundation laid out, no road map to show the way. Everything was so uncharted that I had to figure it out by myself. The only way to overcome those obstacles is to admit that failure can occur and that the most important lesson is to learn from it to overcome any odds.

How has being first-gen shaped your perspective?

It’s helped me see that anything is possible as long as you put in the work and hope that all the sacrifices you made are worth it at the end.

How did you become interested in your major/field of study? 

I wanted to do something that I was interested in. I chose political science because I knew I could be an advocate and help solve some of the world’s biggest problems.

What advice would you give other first-gen students? 

Never give up, keep pushing forward, and ignore what others think because at the end of the day, you control your own destiny—not others.

What is special about Randolph College and how has it supported you as a first-gen student?  

Randolph has a community atmosphere where everyone is welcome and everyone can succeed. It has provided a lot of opportunities for me in terms of funding and future preparation to succeed. I think that’s something that’s really valuable for a first-gen student.