Luis A. Franco Flores has faced challenges that could easily have derailed his college pursuits. Yet, through grit, curiosity, and determination, he’s not only persisted, but thrived in his higher education journey. As a first-generation college student, Flores has overcome significant obstacles to reach where he is today: a UC Irvine sociology major on track to graduate with an excellent GPA.

Big dreams

Flores’ parents also had big dreams—they dreamed of providing a better life for their children. So, they immigrated from Mexico to the United States and settled in East Los Angeles where Flores was born and raised until he was six. By 2016, the family had settled in Pomona, but during Flores’ senior year of high school, they lost their home.

“We didn’t have anywhere to go,” Flores recalls.

With no other options, the family moved into a studio apartment with his cousin, her husband, and their two children. With his parents and two siblings, nine people shared the cramped space.

Amid the uncertainty, Flores’ academic aspirations solidified. His parents suggested he put his education on hold to help support the family. They’ve always encouraged Flores’ education, but times were tough, and the additional income would help. But for Flores, college was nonnegotiable.

“I’ve wanted to go to college since I was a kid. It was my dream, and I didn’t want to give it up,” he says.

That conviction carried him through the instability of those years. After graduating high school, he enrolled at Mount San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) in Walnut, California. But life didn’t get any easier. Shortly after his family relocated to Chino, his grandmother was diagnosed with dementia. Her care came with steep out-of-pocket medical costs, so Flores reduced his schooling to part-time and worked to support his family.

“Community college was tough. But it taught me persistence,” he says.

A passion for sociology

Six years after enrolling at Mt. SAC, Flores was finally ready to transfer. He applied to several UC schools, but ultimately chose UC Irvine because of its strong resources and the reputation of its sociology department. Plus, a friend who had transferred to UC Irvine from his community college spoke highly of the professors. This solidified his choice to join the Anteater community.

Initially, Flores hadn’t intended to study sociology; he had majored in fashion design at Mt. SAC, but a general education sociology course transformed his academic trajectory.

“I got hooked. The idea of conducting research, understanding how societies work, and asking deep questions about logic and reasoning—it was all so inspiring to me,” he says.

Now, Flores plans to use his degree to study immigration and social systems, focusing on how detention impacts families. A class on immigration and detention taught by sociology assistant professor Mirian Martinez-Aranda cemented this focus.

“It helped me see how detention affects families and their ability to bond,” he says.

Inspired by the course, Flores plans to conduct his own research on the topic as he prepares for graduate school applications next year.

A community of support

At UC Irvine, Flores has found both intellectual inspiration and a sense of belonging. Clubs like Prism, an LGBTQ+ student organization, helped him adjust to living away from his family for the first time.

“It’s a lively and welcoming space,” he says. “It’s more than just meetings—they take you on trips and make sure everyone can participate. It’s been such a meaningful way to connect.”

His academic journey has also been guided by mentors who recognized his potential. Teaching assistant and sociology graduate student Sam Titus encouraged him to consider graduate school, demystifying the process and showing him that most programs offer funding. Sociology lecturer and visiting scholar Maria D. Bermudez has also been an important influence.

“I have had a thousand students since I met Luis, and he is someone I will never forget,” says Bermudez. “He shows incredible strength with humility and kindness, which is something you don’t see every day. His critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and emotional intelligence are exceptional. Luis is living proof that education doesn’t care about your past—it opens your future to all possibilities.”

Just as he is

While Flores juggles classes, research, and applications for student research assistant positions, he remains proud of how far he’s come.

“I wasn’t always the best student in high school. But UC Irvine has helped me unlock my potential,” he says.  

Flores plans to apply to Ph.D. programs in sociology, with the goal of one day conducting research on immigration and social systems.

“Research is what really inspires me. I want to use it to create meaningful change,” he says.

But for Flores, his journey is about more than just academic success, it’s also about honoring the sacrifices his family made to give him these opportunities.

“My parents sacrificed so much to get me here,” he reflects. “I want to make the most of those sacrifices.”

Each challenge has strengthened Flores’ resilience, and every achievement reflects his commitment to his education. As he moves forward at UC Irvine and beyond, he’s proving that even the hardest obstacles can’t stop him from thriving.

Bermudez sums it up best: “Luis embodies the Anteater virtues—curiosity, intellectual tenacity, humility, and integrity. I believe his future will be nothing short of amazing and bright, just as he is.”

-Jill Kato for UCI School of Social Sciences
-photo by Karla Franco