First-Gen Faculty/Staff Highlights

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE FIRST-GENERATION?

"It means that I made my mom proud.  My mom was super smart, like Jeopardy smart.  I can’t tell you how awe struck I was as a kid on her fundamental knowledge of things (literature, art, music, pop culture, history, etc.)  She always wanted me to have a better education than she did, which was just a high school diploma.  She always supported and encouraged me in school.  She knew the importance of a good education." 

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN AS A FIRST-GENERATION STUDNET, AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME?

"My biggest concern was continuing to reassure myself that I can do this. I’m a bit heavy at self-doubt so I had to continue to provide validation to myself that I was succeeding. I had good grades in high school (B+) and so I used that momentum to carry me into my freshman year at college. The first year is intimidating as I knew nobody in my classes and rarely saw a familiar face. This is pretty typical for small town students. I just stuck to my studies and as time went on, I started meeting new friends and making good grades. Looking back at that moment in time, I realized that was the beginning of my success story."

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE FUTURE FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS?  

 "Don’t doubt yourself. Be willing to fight through fear of the unknown. Socialize and create new friend connections. Make someone proud, including yourself."

To me First-Generation means charting new territory, doing something no one else has done, and navigating the exciting new opportunities as well as the challenges. When I came to college my biggest concern/challenge was not understanding the language. I didn’t know terminology like credit hour, Satisfactory academic progress, registration, dropping, withdrawing, etc. I didn’t understand the processes or what steps to take for many of the “common” requirements. I didn’t know about how to register each semester, how to read the finals schedule or things like completing the FAFSA. With a parent who had not done this themselves they were as lost as I was and they were 2 hours away so there was no good way to really have that support and assistance in walking through these steps. However, my freshman year I met a professor in my discipline and he was a first-generation college grad. He had been there and was able to help answer questions and guide me through some of the more confusing parts. He was a great support system and would answer things without making me feel like my question should have been “common sense”. While many of the things I struggled with might be common to others who have family that have shared experiences in this area, I did not find them common in my social and family circle at all. The term “first generation” was not widely popular yet and I didn’t realize that there were others like me.

My biggest piece of advice is ASK THE QUESTION! No matter how big or small the question may seem, ask. Even if you are not entirely sure how to phrase it, just get started and the conversation can help direct you to the office or person who can help. Don’t be afraid to ask and ask again if you don’t understand. Sometimes you might have to say, I don’t understand the terms you just used could you explain it again, and that is ok. Find that person on campus who can be your resource and build that connection.

Now as the Director for TRIO Student Support Services I get the opportunity to help students like myself every day and can helpfully make life a little easier for other first-generation students to help them get to First Generation Grad status!