Niya White, a human development and family science major from Henderson, Nevada, says her educational journey has been made possible by her passion for helping families and the unwavering support from her own. As a first-generation college student, the diploma she will receive, she says, belongs to her family as much as herself.

During her time on campus, White has worked at the University’s Child and Family Research Center, where she connected her classroom learning to real-world experiences with young children. This passion will continue in her first job after college, as she will join the full-time educator staff at the CFRC this fall. 

Q&A with Niya White, (’26)

Where are you from and what does it mean to you to be graduating?

“I grew up in Henderson, Nevada, with my mom, my dad, older sister, and younger brother. Graduating means I did it, I did the thing that always seemed a bit daunting, it means I'm much more capable than I thought, even when it's scary.” 

Your grandmother is originally from Juárez, Mexico. How has your family’s background and story influenced your goals?

“My grandma immigrated from Mexico, with a dream to grow a family full of love and one that has opportunities that she didn't get to have for herself. The sacrifices that she made, and continues to make, paved the way for me to be able to get this degree. I wouldn't be graduating without her. My grandma had to learn what hard work and sacrifice looked like from a very young age, so that we could choose to be hard workers for ourselves. My goal is to help people and kids, and to be a resource for those who didn't have such a wonderful family like I do.”

As a first-generation college student, did you always see college as part of your future? Why or why not?

“Yes, and I'm only lucky enough to be able to say that because of the way my family raised me. College was a gift, almost a promise. My parents worked so hard to ensure that higher education was achievable, making it clear that I was smart and capable. My parents had a different, and much tougher life than I did growing up, and their goal was to make sure that I had it better, and that 100% included educational opportunity.”

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced navigating college for the first time?

“There were many. I had a lot of imposter syndrome; these bouts forced me to become a perfectionist. What I did accomplish felt like it was never enough, and it was accentuated by being away from home. I worked myself almost too hard and had to figure out who I was without being around the people who played such a big role in that for my whole life up until this point. (I also got lost on campus about four times in my first semester... campus felt huge!!)”

Who supported you along the way?

“Everybody in my life supported me along the way. My immediate and extended family, friends, and professors like Jarell Green in TRIO and Jenna Dewar in the HDFS faculty. Whether it was through phone calls to my mom and day every day filled with me stressing over coursework, text messages once a week from my grandparents to remind me I was being thought of, letters of encouragement from my aunts, and voice memos from my sister when I needed a laugh, there was always someone on the other end to provide support and care.”

Why did you choose Human Development and Family Science, and what drew you to that field?

“When I was first applying to college, I had zero clue what I wanted to do, I just knew I liked learning about people, especially children and families. Everything that goes on when you're younger impacts you for the rest of your life, and I have been really interested to keep learning about that process.” 

Was there a class, professor, or experience in the College of Education that really stuck with you?

“So many, my Death and Dying HDFS 456 class, taught by Emilio Parga, was probably my favorite class from undergrad. Rose Ann Gutierrez taught EDUC 413, and she is such an inspirational person. Her background, her passion, her achievements, and overall demeanor in her class show that she really cares for her students and is passionate about what she teaches. Both of these classes emphasized the importance of teaching through a lens that values and encompasses every student's story in the classroom. They are everything a professor should strive to be.”

How would you say you’ve changed from your first year of college to now?

“I'm more confident in my passions. When I first came to school, I had no clue how much value there would be for me in working with little minds. I have now come to realize that I don't think there's a career path for me without little minds, families, and helping people like I've learned to do since my first year here.” 

How do you hope to use what you’ve learned in HDFS moving forward?

“I want to be the resource for children and families moving forward. The world can be so tough already, and it is even more difficult when you do not feel supported. I want these children and families to know they are always going to be supported when put in my care, and that we can all grow together.”

What does graduating mean for your family?

“Everything, honestly, graduating means that the sacrifices they made and opportunities they took or had to pass up got us to where we are, along with my hard work. My parents would be beside themselves reading this if I didn't give myself a pat on the back too, but most of my thanks go to them. My family has given so much to make sure that I have the platform to succeed. It means that everyone's hard work, effort, love, and care together can create something really beautiful and worthwhile.”

What advice would you give to other first-generation students, especially those from Las Vegas or similar backgrounds?

“I would tell them to keep believing in themselves and understand that they're always more important than they think, even when impostor syndrome wants to bring them down. Give yourself grace for not knowing everything. Lean on your support system, and if you don't have one just yet, start to make your village.” 

When you think about graduation day, what emotions come up for you?

“I feel so much excitement and pride when it comes to graduation. I have seen so many emotional families hold each other closely around this time of year, throughout my undergrad, and it makes me so grateful and excited that I get to search for and find my own family when I am on that stage. I'm so excited to walk for this achievement that we put all our hard work into collectively coming to fruition.”

Is there anything else about your journey that feels important to share?

“Every phone call with my grandma while I have been in college has ended with or somehow included her saying, 'querer es poder,' and those words have gotten me through this journey and will continue to do so as I walk onto a new path of opportunities and changes.”