Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Azariah Smith Social Science

Educational Ecosystems: How Local Communities Shape College Motivation and Achievement

Scholars Journal

As a first-generation student from California’s Central Valley, Azariah experienced firsthand how place shapes opportunity. Unlike peers from Los Angeles and the Bay Area, students from cities like Stockton and Modesto often have fewer pathways to career exposure, scholarships, and academic support. Her research explores how regional differences impact the college transitions of first-generation students, showing that shared first-gen status does not mean shared experiences. Through interviews with UC Berkeley students, Azariah examines how early access to resources—or the lack of it—affects students’ confidence, career aspirations, and ability to adapt in competitive academic spaces.