Name: Abel Barraza, junior, mechanical engineering, minor in management

Where are you from? Dodge City, Kansas

Are you a first generation student? Yes. I am the youngest and first of four kids to attend a university! My parents didn't attend high school. They were born and raised in Durango, Mexico.

Do you consider yourself a nontraditional student? I think not having any guidance from a direct family member made applying to college and deciding what to major in difficult. I've made all the mistakes and learned from them so I can teach the next generation in my family when they look into going to school.

What does WSU offer that makes attending college easier? The tutoring they have available (Math Lab, GEEKS Tutoring, MSMP). The advisers I've had since I came here have been great at trying to help me grow academically, personally and professionally.

Highlights of your time at WSU: Going Greek has resulted in being a part of amazing events that allow me to showcase my culture. I've made countless friends during my stay so far and found a family in my multicultural Greek fraternity.

What would you tell someone considering WSU? That they won't regret coming here. The smaller size of our campus makes each individual student more than just a number, and the small class sizes mean you get to know your remarkable professors.

What has helped keep you here? Aside from tutoring and being filled with people rooting for you, there are plenty of transition mentors that help you during those first few extremely difficult weeks.