Wednesday, 08 April 2026 02:00 PM
Environmental, Social and Governance
The first-generation student profile reflects how personal history and academic study intersect within the Saint Mary's experience.
MORAGA, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 8, 2026 / Saint Mary's College of California student Alejandra Perez '26 is bringing a deeply personal perspective to her business education, drawing on her family's background in bee farming to inform her academic and professional development.
As a first-generation college student, Perez's path reflects personal determination and the College's continued emphasis on student-centered learning. Her experience connects family tradition with formal business study, allowing her to examine entrepreneurship, operations, and market strategy through a lens shaped by lived experience.
Perez's family history in beekeeping and honey production has provided a practical foundation for her studies in business, particularly in areas such as small business development, branding, and sustainable enterprise. By connecting classroom learning with an established family practice, she is building skills that support both academic growth and long-term professional opportunity.
Her profile reflects the experience of first-generation students navigating higher education while carrying the values, responsibilities, and aspirations of their families. Saint Mary's continues to expand resources and mentorship opportunities that support first-generation student success across disciplines.
"Alejandra's story points to the strength of our student community and the way Saint Mary's helps students connect their backgrounds to their academic and professional goals," said Saint Mary's spokesperson Mike Janes. "Her work exemplifies the kind of thoughtful, applied learning that defines the student experience here."
Student profiles such as Perez's continue to reinforce Saint Mary's commitment to access, belonging, and experiential education, particularly for first-generation students whose perspectives strengthen the College community.
Founded in 1863, Saint Mary's College of California is a nationally recognized Catholic, Lasallian institution located in Moraga, California. Known for its rigorous academics, personalized education, and strong sense of community, Saint Mary's prepares students to lead with integrity, purpose, and compassion. The College offers undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in the liberal arts and supported by Division I athletics. Learn more at www.stmarys-ca.edu.
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For more news and information about Saint Mary's College of California, please visit https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/news.
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Media Contact: Mike Janes
Phone: (510) 571-7497
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE: Saint Mary's College of California