About Us
Meet the First in Line Team
Michelle Gonzalez
First in Line Program Manager
Michelle is passionate about serving, empowering, and celebrating our first-generation students as they navigate their way through Baylor. Michelle oversees the First in Line Success Academy scholarship program and works closely with partners on campus to help provide support, network, and resources for Baylor's first generation community. Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Baylor in 2012 and has 13 years of experience in higher education in various areas including recruitment, advising, retention, career services, and enrollment management.
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Michelle Gonzalez
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First in Line Student Leaders
Logan Jackson
Student Ambassador
Senior, Pre-Psychology Major
"First in Line has provided me with constant encouragement and sense of belonging, which emboldened me to share that with others on campus."
Geneva Bias
Student Ambassador
Junior, Pre-Business Major
"My experience with first in line was having my first supportive foundation to the beginning of my college career."
Jorge Gomez
Student Ambassador
Junior, Biology Pre-Med
"FIL helped me assimilate to college life as a first-generation student. It’s a great place to gain support and encouragement amidst this season of your life!"
Kate Hansen
Student Ambassador
Junior, Biochemistry Major
"First in Line shows me that I am not alone in my college journey. I am supported by others who share my experiences and are going to be by my side during my time at Baylor."
Yvette Juarez
Student Ambassador
Junior, Health Kinesiology and Leisure Studies
"The First in Line program created a community that feels like home and continues to motivate me through the struggles and know my worth in succeeding."
Alexia Martinez
Student Ambassador
Junior, Political Science Major
"The First in Line program has done nothing short of making me feel loved and supported on Baylor’s campus. Being able to be a part of the First in Line community and seeing all of the student the program has impacted is truly a statement to how hardworking, dedicated and crucial this program is to student success."
Catelyn Green
Student Ambassador
Junior, Nursing Major
"I have loved being able to be around people who support me and know what I’m going through."
Diamond Conner
Student Ambassador
Sophomore, Health Science Major
"First in Line has created a beautiful family for me. They truly look out for one another and care for each other."
Adrian Casias
Student Ambassador
Sophomore, Health Science Major
"First in Line is a fun and encouraging group of students!"
Kiera Griffin
Student Ambassador
Sophomore, Science Research Fellows
"First in Line has been an amazing program that has supporting me through connecting me with other first-generation students and letting me know that I am not alone in this journey!"
Daniela Cangas
Peer Leader
Senior, Accounting Major
"Being a part of First in Line has been one of my favorite experiences at Baylor. Not only have I been able to meet others that share similar experiences, but it has also help me take pride in being the first in my family to further their education."
Hayleigh Robinson
Peer Leader
Senior, Neuroscience and Biochemistry Major
"I entered Baylor as a FILSA Scholar my freshman year and have continued working with the program as a peer leader ever since. Thanks to this program, I have been able to grow as a student and leader, take part in a community of other first generation college students, and study abroad with the First Abroad Fellows program. This program has provided me with so many valuable experiences during my time at Baylor, and I will be forever grateful for it."
Luke Martin
Peer Leader
Senior, Film and Digital Media Major
"I was able to be a part of the First in Line Success Academy coming in as a transfer junior. As a transfer student, I had some idea of how college life would work, but I still wasn’t sure how I would be able to make the transition to a whole new state or if I could manage living away from my family for the first time. The FILSA program showed me that I wasn’t alone in this journey and that plenty of other students were going through similar things. Through this shared experience, I was able to bond with others in the program and make meaningful connections going into the school year."
Katelyn Frier
Peer Leader
Senior, MIS and Management Major
"This program has truly empowered me to become better student for the last 2 years that I have been at Baylor. I couldn't imagine my college experience without having the First in Line support and aid that I have been given."
Michelle Serrano
Peer Leader
Junior, Biology Major
"FILSA has allowed me to build many connections throughout college and has supported me in a spiritual, educational, financial and mental aspect! Without a doubt, my peers are always there! FILSA has allowed me develop my leadership skills along with showing me the meaning of what it is like to be a supportive individual amongst others."
Kimberly Vu
Peer Leader
Junior, Communication Major
"First in Line became my first support system going into college and I feel loved by everyone which it easier for Baylor to be called home."
Halima Dervisevic
Peer Leader
Junior, University Scholars
"First in Line has supported me on my college journey in numerous ways. From hosting study hours to informing me on what's next for me as a premed, they've always been there."
Grace Londenberg
Peer Leader
Junior, Medical Humanities Major
"This program has changed my life! The FILSA community has provided me with so much joy, acceptance, and fun!"
Matthew Villagomez
Peer Leader
Junior, Sociology Major
"First in Line is an incredible organization that makes Baylor really feel like home to first generation students. Finding out about this program really made me realize what my call to action was."
Christian Yeathermon
Peer Leader
Junior, Biology Major
"I was extremely nervous coming to Baylor but my FILSA mentors provided me with community from the beginning which made me feel welcomed and at home."
Stephanie Mata
Peer Leader
Junior, Social Work Major
"The First in Line program has made Baylor feel like home! So many resources and doors have been accessible to me since being here and that's the beauty of First in Line because being a first gen asking for help is hard, but this program turns hardship into opportunities all while meeting incredible people along the way."
Abby Dickenson
Peer Leader
Sophomore, Nursing Major
"The First in Line program has helped me realize that being a first generation college student is not a hindrance in my life, but rather an opportunity to cultivate a life full of success and happiness for myself as well as promoting education for generations to come."
Autumn Sculti
Peer Leader
Sophomore, Psychology Major
"The First in Line community immediately offered tremendous love and support when I arrived at Baylor from New York. They helped me realize that Waco could be another home for me. I’m so grateful to be a part of FIL and have the opportunity to guide others through their transition."
Tammy Nguyen
Peer Leader
Sophomore, University Scholars
"First in Line has truly surrounded me with such caring people that enlighten my world. Being a part of First in Line and seeing others keep about their own experiences of being a first generation student and seeing how it was so similar to mine made me feel more connected and welcomed in the Baylor community!"
Adam Paul
Peer Leader
Sophomore, Secondary Education Major
"First in line really helped me find my way through my first year of college. It gave me a ton of tips and tricks that have helped tremendously."
Sofy Garza
Peer Leader
Sophomore, Medical Humanities Major
"FILSA is a community unlike any other that bursts with support in every direction: academic support to help students achieve their full potential and personal support to help them navigate college life and new opportunities."
Princesa Alvarez
Peer Leader
Sophomore, Health Science Studies Major
"First in Line has been one of my most genuine and empowering environments here at Baylor! Faculty and students have all been supportive and a great guidance towards my future goals."
Gracie Lawhon
Peer Leader
Sophomore, Biology Major
"First in Line has created a wonderful community for me and others to be involved in and loved in every aspect. I have had people in the First in Line community be in other programs with me and become close personally with me - I know I will always be surrounded with amazing people!"
Madison Dezendorf
Peer Leader
Sophomore, Health Sciences Studies Major
"The First in Line program has given me a support system and a place I can turn to for help whenever I need it and I am so grateful and excited that I have the opportunity to give back to this wonderful community!"
Liberty Simpson
Peer Leader
Sophomore, Elementary Education Major
"FILSA was an outlet for me that allowed me to become acclimated at Baylor! I was able to develop deep relationships with my mentors who made me feel seen, loved, welcomed, and valued at Baylor!"
Megan Luck
Peer Leader
Sophomore, Nursing Major
"FILSA has provided me with a safe place as I navigate my way through college and has taught me to be proud of my accomplishment in being one of the first people in my family to attend a 4-year college."
