"J.M." is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2019 who majored in environmental engineering and minored in classics. In this interview, they describe growing up in New York City with their parents and academic opportunities they had growing up which prepared them for college. J.M. goes on to talk about their transition to life on campus and in Baltimore, various jobs they've held as a student, and places they've lived. They also share their interest in environmental engineering and friendships they've made with classmates. J.M. advises other students to stay connected to their roots, get involved on campus, and broaden their horizons. This oral history is part of the First-generation Students oral histories series.

"P.M." is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2020. In this interview, she describes growing up in Parkland, Florida and her high school experience. She shares how she adjusted to life and rigorous academics on campus, including her participation in the Johns Hopkins Underrepresented in Medicine Program (JUMP). P.M. also discusses her interest in public health and her plans to apply to medical school following graduation.

Donald Perry, a 1961 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, talks about his life, career, and his experience as one of the few African-American undergraduate students at Hopkins.

Dr. Karl Alexander is the John Dewey Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Founder and Director of the Thurgood Marshall Alliance. Before joining Johns Hopkins in 1971, he earned his B.A. from Temple University (1968) and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (1972). In this interview, Alexander discusses his dissertation work at UNC and contributions to Hopkins' new Center for Social Organization of Schools in the 1970s. He goes on to detail his work in the sociology of education, which drew from field research in Baltimore, as well as his founding of the Thurgood Marshall Alliance, which aims to improve economic and racial diversity in Baltimore schools. This oral history is part of the Hopkins Retrospective oral histories series.

"T.K." is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2018, and double majored in biomedical engineering and medicine, science, and the humanities. In this interview, T.K. discusses growing up in Taiwan and their decision process when applying to Johns Hopkins. T.K. goes on to discuss their participation in student cultural organizations on campus, religion, and various work experiences as an undergraduate researcher and intern over the course of their studies. This oral history is part of the First-generation Students oral histories series.