Selena Camacho is a graduate of Making Waves Academy who currently attends Diablo Valley College. Selena is majoring in Political Science.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Is there anything in particular that motivates you as you go through college and prepare yourself for a career?

A: What really motivates me to continue my college journey is knowing that I’m the first in my family to pursue higher education. For generations, the women in my family have been expected to drop out of school as early as middle school and marry men decades older than them. My mother, who is my biggest role model, was never able to give me advice on how to prepare for college because she never had the chance to go to college herself. Because of that, I’ve leaned heavily on the mentors and mentees I’ve met along the way, taking their guidance to heart to understand the ins and outs of college success. That support is what keeps me moving forward as I build toward the specific career I’m working to create for myself.

Q: When did you first realize that you were college-bound?

A: During my junior year of high school, I realized that continuing the cycle of women in my family settling for less wasn’t the path I wanted for my life. Even though the older generation of aunts and uncles expected me to take on the traditional role of wife and homemaker, I understood that building a life with no education or assets of my own to rely on was a dangerous way to live. Growing up, I watched my parents work incredibly hard so that I could have a better future than they did, and that sacrifice made me want a higher education even more.

Q: How has Richmond Promise played a role in your education?

A: Richmond Promise has played a huge role in my education, starting with the financial support that helped make paying for school possible. Just as importantly, the mentors I’ve met through the program have inspired me to keep going when college felt overwhelming. Watching how education has transformed their lives has shown me firsthand what’s possible and given me the motivation to see how it can change my own life, too.

Q: Why did you choose to apply for RP Leads, and what are you hoping to take from the experience?

A: I chose to apply for RP Leads because I wanted to build opportunities for myself and my community, and to be part of a structure that keeps me accountable and connected. I’m hoping this experience gives me the community, guidance, and consistency I need to keep pushing forward, both in college and toward the goals beyond it.

Q: What do you want to contribute to Richmond and/or the world?

A: Growing up in a brown and Black community, I saw firsthand the injustices people faced, including the barriers created by their documentation status. I hope to come back to Richmond and support the community I belong to, particularly by helping connect people with legal documentation support so they can access the resources and protections they deserve.

Q: How has your current college experience gone, and what has been the best part?

A: My experience in college so far has been wonderful. It’s been very different from high school in the best way. In the social aspect, everyone is so much more open to making new friends and building genuine connections. That openness has made the transition feel less intimidating and has helped me feel like I belong here. Although community college students have a negative stereotype of being lazy, I’ve seen the opposite while on campus. I’ve seen the ambition around me of people the same age as me and even a couple decades older. I’ve heard their dreams and ambitions of transferring to UC Berkeley, UCLA, even the great Ivy Leagues and seeing that hard work pay off for them once the year is over. Surrounding myself with people like that has really been the highlight of my journey there.

Q: What challenges have you overcome to get to where you are today?

A: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is navigating college as a first-generation student without a roadmap from my family. Without anyone at home who had gone through the process, I had to figure out things like financial aid, applications and class registration mostly on my own, often relying on mentors and my own research to fill in the gaps. I also had to push back against family and cultural expectations that didn’t align with the path I wanted for myself, which sometimes meant standing firm in my decisions even without full support at home.

Q: What advice would you give to a first-year Richmond Promise Scholar who is just heading off to a new college or CTE program?

A: I would tell them not to be afraid to ask for help, whether that’s from a mentor, an advisor, or a friend who’s a semester ahead of you. College can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re the first in your family to go, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Lean on the community and resources Richmond Promise gives you, because that support system can make all the difference.

Q: What are you looking forward to doing after finishing school?

A: After finishing my undergraduate degree, I plan on taking a gap year. During that time, I want to work in a space where I can help people grow. For example, I want to support students who are learning to speak English. I see that kind of work as a meaningful way to give back, and I think it would be a calmer space before I step back into a more serious and structured field in law school.