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OREM — Growing up in Orem as a Catholic while being surrounded by peers who were raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made Jose Rodriguez "feel excluded" at times.
"I was an extremely shy kid. I felt embarrassed a lot of the time because my upbringing was very different than my peers. I ate different foods, had different interests, and was raised Catholic," he said, adding that this shyness and anxiety continued through high school.
After high school, Rodriguez enrolled and started school at Utah Valley University as a first-generation college student but struggled during his first year. He decided to take a break from school and started working two different jobs before eventually realizing that he had aspirations of owning his own business — something he knew an education was crucial to achieving.
When he returned to UVU, not only did he not struggle, he excelled. Studying computer science, Rodriguez served as a department representative for the College of Engineering and Technology and held a position as the Utah Valley University Student Association senator during his time at UVU. He graduated in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in computer science.
Rodriguez's story is one of thousands of first-generation college students at UVU — with 37% (9,933 students) of the university's student body being made up of first-generation students.
Last week, the university announced it has reached its goal of raising $15 million to support first-generation students and go toward scholarships and programs. The campaign was launched by university President Astrid Tuminez after her appointment five years ago.
"At UVU, we believe in human potential, and we have a legacy of welcoming and embracing first-gen students. We know that a college education will benefit these students economically, but also make them healthier, happier, more engaged members of our community," said Tuminez, herself a first-generation student.
Kyle Reyes, vice president of institutional advancement and CEO of the UVU Foundation, said that the campaign received a big boost when four donors — Blake and Sandy Modersitzki, Brian and Louise Murphy, Dan and Peggy Campbell and a fourth donor who chose to remain anonymous — each donated $1 million to the initiative.
I take great pride in being a first-generation student at UVU. My parents motivate me to be the best student, worker and person I can be. I work hard to honor my parents and the sacrifices they made for our family.
– Jose Rodriguez, UVU graduate and first-generation student
Brian and Louise Murphy explained why their family chose to support the first-generation campaign, saying, "We felt it could have tremendous impact on the lives of these deserving students. Building a family tradition of education transforms the lives of not only these individuals but their families and generations to come."
Reyes added that while the goal for the campaign has been met, the university will continue to raise funds for first-generation students and welcomes donations from alumni and the community.
"I take great pride in being a first-generation student at UVU. My parents motivate me to be the best student, worker and person I can be. I work hard to honor my parents and the sacrifices they made for our family," Rodriguez wrote about his experience as a first-generation student in 2021. "My dad works long, intense hours in construction while my mom is busy managing a few businesses, especially her successful cleaning business. Their work takes an intense toll on their bodies. I am striving to be able to provide for them so they can retire and relax."
Over the past five years, UVU has awarded diplomas or certificates to 17,303 first-generation students.
