When I step into a classroom at Fresno State, I see students who remind me of myself. They are navigating family expectations, financial pressures, and the often-unspoken challenge of being the first in their families to pursue a degree. They bring with them rich cultural knowledge, lived experience, and perspectives that have historically been excluded from academic spaces. My role is not to "save" them or to pour knowledge into empty vessels. My role is to witness their potential, validate their voices, and give them the tools to tell their own stories.