LEAD Scholars Program offers orientation for first-gen families at move-in weekend

Less than 24 hours after her plane from Texas touched down on Saturday, Jazmin Avelar ’30 was already finding her footing at Santa Clara University.

Sunday morning, her LEAD peer mentor helped her save money on books. By the afternoon, Avelar was introducing her family to new friends and chatting about someday volunteering at Santa Clara’s new medical school as part of her goal to become a doctor.

She even successfully made her first Target pickup order two miles from campus.

It was clear Avelar is ready for her new adventure. But her grandmother? That wasn’t so simple. Socorro Saenz Espinoza had never been to California before move-in weekend, and though the weather lived up to the hype, she couldn’t help but worry about the impending goodbye.

“I’m sad because I’m losing my oldest granddaughter,” Espinoza said through tears. “Everybody here has been comforting, very friendly, very joyful, very respectful. I think this is going to be an incredible experience for her. That comforts me a lot.”

For more than 20 years, the LEAD Scholars Program has helped first-gen students make the transition to college. Each fall, LEAD students move into residence halls a week early to learn about resources, build a network, and start two of their first-quarter classes early. The community built during LEAD Week endures through the four years and has resulted in a graduation rate that exceeds the broader student body and exceptional career outcomes.

But LEAD has also proven to be a valuable resource for families like Avelar’s. Students aren’t the only ones adjusting to life in college, their families are too, and LEAD is here to help.

The process starts at orientation each July and continues into LEAD move-in in September, which features parent sessions where families can ask questions about what’s to come.

“Those sessions are basically to help guide parents and set expectations for them of what their child’s life will look like in college,” said Marqus Koranteng, LEAD’s assistant director of marketing and programming. “We tell them that their schedules are going to be busier and they should try not to expect them to come home every weekend.”

LEAD staff present the sessions in both Spanish and English, and parents have the opportunity to ask last-minute questions about topics like financial aid, health insurance, or how they can get involved.

At the end of the presentation, parents are invited to sign up for the LEAD mailing list so they can stay engaged with their student. Through newsletters, families receive program updates, stories on standout students, and information on Family Weekend—which this school year will be February 19-20, 2027.

According to Koranteng, Family Weekend is an excellent way for LEAD families to build community not just with other LEAD parents but also the greater Santa Clara community. LEAD will host an event during Family Weekend, but families are also encouraged to branch out into other events.

“It's really about deepening their sense of belonging,” Koranteng says, “making sure that they feel comfortable that they can come to us but letting them know that they are Santa Clara parents as well.”

For Avelar, move-in weekend involved her extended family. Since her parents were unable to make the trip, her younger brother Alex and her uncle Erick Saenz joined Espinoza for move-in weekend festivities.

“Having them here and meeting new friends makes me feel comforted, safe, and secure,” Avelar says. “I know that I have a place to connect and depend on, in case I feel homesick because I know I’m not the only one.”

Before their official goodbye, Espinoza shared that she would miss cooking with her granddaughter and having her close, but she’s confident in the support Avelar has in her new home.

Espinoza also plans on returning to California soon.

“I will be back again,” she said with a laugh. “I’m excited to see her graduate and get that diploma. Her goal is to be a doctor and go into neuroscience. Having opportunities here, I know she’ll do good.”