HMDP: Uniting families, resources and first-generation students under one roof
In 1984, 40 years ago, a program was founded at Arizona State University to address the shortage of women of color in higher education. Through this program's focus on uplifting women from the Hispanic/Latine community, it was dubbed the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program, and became a flagship resource for ASU students.
Now, HMDP has expanded to be a universal resource for any prospective first-generation student looking at ASU, and celebrates its 40th anniversary doing so.
While its doors have opened to students of all backgrounds, the fundamental mission of HMDP remains the same — to support those who identify as first generation college students in attending ASU. By connecting first-generation college families with resources and information, this early outreach program has an important legacy of helping middle and high -school students achieve their college dreams.
Yaretzy Miranda, a 12th grader and current HMDP Scholar, touched on these benefits.
“HMDP stands out by offering support in searching for scholarships and other opportunities, which many programs overlook,” Miranda explained. “It also helps focus on both professional and personal growth.”
In helping students search for and apply to scholarships, HMDP furthers its mission to support first-generation families who may not have the financial resources otherwise. It lessens the burden and allows the focus to remain on the students' education.
Emily Hernandez Mendoza, a Sun Devil studying Criminology and Criminal Justice and an HMDP graduate, talked about how much this can mean for first-generation students like her.
“One of the most memorable moments of being in HMDP is when I won a scholarship,” Mendoza said. “I felt like my hard work was recognized and I was happy I could make my parents proud.”
However finances are not the only burden first-generation students face, and not the only obstacle HMDP addresses.
Leslie Linarte Luna, a Sun Devil studying Public Service and Public Policy and an HMDP graduate, spoke to these other issues.
“My parents were unfamiliar with the education system of the United States so they couldn’t guide me through the college process or much of my K-12 education,” Luna explained. “More than anything, HMDP helped my parents understand the college process, which in turn taught them how they could support me.”
A major problem first-generation students face is a lack of information regarding the college going process. For immigrant families, an unfamiliarity with the systems and an added language barrier can make this even more difficult.
However, through HMDP, this can not only be addressed, but used as a foundation for helping build parent-student relationships.
“It has helped me with conversations with my mom about scholarships,” Miranda said. “It strengthened our relationship by allowing her to guide me and ensure I avoid the mistakes someone we know once made.”
“HMDP brought my mom and I closer by creating an environment where it not only motivates students but also encourages parents to be involved in their child’s education,” Mendoza said.
It highlights the necessity of not only resources but programs that can bring these resources to students without the information.
Jaeli Villarreal, a 12th grader and current HMDP student, spoke specifically to this aspect.
“This is the first program I’ve been a part of,” Villarreal explained. “It helped with the overall process of applying to college, which we were previously unaware of.”
For many first-generation college students there are many programs, scholarships and opportunities available for them, one’s that they often don’t know about. It is just as important to inform students of the benefits available to them as it is to provide them, so that they can best dedicate themselves to their education.
This is where HMDP excels.
“After graduating from HMDP I returned to the program as a family engagement assistant in my first year of college,” Luna said. “Everyone who plays a part in the program’s execution is doing so with the mission to provide the key resources and information that you need for your family’s success. We want nothing more than to see you succeed.”
HMDP's goal remains to be a resource for first generation students looking to achieve higher education, and commits itself to supporting and informing those students and their families on the resources available.
As it expands to provide more resources to more first generation students outside its original “Hispanic Mother-Daughter” scope, many of the Hispanic women in HMDP reflected on the impact of their community on this program.
“HMDP has helped me achieve a stronger desire to achieve my goals and a stronger appreciation for those that support us” Mendoza said. “HMDP represents the hard work ethic that the people in my community have. It shows their strong will in wanting to achieve our goals despite the obstacles thrown at us.
“To me, the HMDP represents the ambition of young Hispanic students,” Luna said. “There are so many Hispanic students who dream big but are held back from working towards their goals due to a lack of information.”
“Having women like us as the inspiration for this program is empowering, it shows the importance of our experiences,” Miranda said. “Seeing ourselves represented in the program shows that we could fit in, in places like this.”
For more information on resources available and who qualifies, visit eoss.asu.edu/hmdp.