Double Major Puts Family First on Path to Degree

Double Major Puts Family First on Path to Degree

Ashley Lizarraga didn't have the typical college move-in experience.

In August 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lizarraga was coming from Rosarito, Mexico, where she lived with her parents and two younger brothers, to Cal State San Marcos' University Village Apartments.

Born in the United States and raised in Mexico, Lizarraga has always prioritized her education. In high school, she crossed the border every day to attend high school in Chula Vista, drawn to the learning environment and opportunities in the U.S. It meant early mornings and long days, but she remained committed, and that drive continued when she enrolled at CSUSM.

Lizarraga embraced life on campus, even in a time when many classes were still virtual. But her college experience soon expanded beyond academics. At 19, she became the legal guardian of her younger brother, Evaristo, to help him pursue a high school education in the U.S., an opportunity she knew could open doors for him just as it had for her. A few years later, she welcomed her youngest brother, Esteban, who is now thriving as a high school junior at San Marcos High.

In a few weeks, Evaristo and Esteban will join their parents at the Mangrum Track and Field to watch their sister cross the CSUSM commencement stage and become the first family member to earn a college degree.

"I feel like my professors and the friends I have made at school have all helped me so much," said Lizarraga, who is double majoring in finance and political science. "I really felt that this is my community, and I felt so supported by everyone. All of that has made my journey here so much easier."

It hasn't always been an easy journey. Lizarraga was working three jobs before an internship with the San Diego Diplomacy Council ended. She still works at a local restaurant and on campus for Associated Students, Inc., as the vice president of finance and operations where she manages a $2.1 million student-driven budget and leads initiatives that directly support students.

Caring for her brothers, working multiple jobs and studying doesn't leave much free time, but Lizarraga is grateful to mentors like Ashley Fennell, ASI's associate executive director, for providing a strong support system.

"She's been a caring supervisor who looks out for me not just as a student, but as a person," Lizarraga said.

As Lizarraga's undergraduate career winds down, she is looking ahead to the next chapter. She has been accepted to several master's programs in finance and hopes to stay close to San Marcos to continue supporting her family while advancing her academic and career goals.

As the first in her family to graduate from college, she's proud to be setting an example and grateful for the support that helped her get to this point.

"I'm deeply grateful to my family and to everyone who supported me along the way," Lizarraga said. "I truly couldn't have done it without them. This is just the beginning."

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