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First-Generation Success: Sharing Advice and Stories

  • First-Generation Student Support
  • Center for Academic Success and Transition

Archives for November 2020

Celebrating First-Generation College Students by Dr. Cindy MacGregor

November 9, 2020 by CAST

Collage with three photos/drawings of pioneers, 2 photos of smiling college students. Text on collage: First Generation College Students, Pioneers of our time...

First-generation college students are pioneers for their families in the strange land of higher education. I was the first person in my family to attend and complete college. My parents both have 8th grade educations from a one-room country schoolhouse. [Read more…] about Celebrating First-Generation College Students by Dr. Cindy MacGregor

Filed Under: First-Gen Faculty/Staff Stories, First-Generation College Celebration Week

Christina Bowles, Academic Advising and Transfer Center

November 9, 2020 by CAST

Christina Bowles

My name is Christina Bowles, and I am proud to be a First-Generation college graduate. When I graduated from high school, I had no idea that I would eventually go on to receive two Master’s degrees—I didn’t even know what a Master’s degree was! Since neither of my parents went to college, they offered me a lot of support, but often didn’t have the answers or advice that I desperately needed. Thankfully, I was able to connect with faculty and staff on campus who guided me along the way. [Read more…] about Christina Bowles, Academic Advising and Transfer Center

Filed Under: First-Gen Faculty/Staff Stories, First-Generation College Celebration Week

Dr. Ronald Del Vecchio, Darr College of Agriculture

November 9, 2020 by CAST

Ronald Del Vecchio

I grew up on a family farm in New England. My father was one of the hardest working individuals I have ever met. He and my mother provided for 8 children and worked 7 days a week, 15-18 hours per day. He would always encourage my siblings and I to get an education. None of my siblings pursued advanced degrees beyond high school. I am the youngest of family and when I showed an interest in going to college he and my Mom were excited. [Read more…] about Dr. Ronald Del Vecchio, Darr College of Agriculture

Filed Under: First-Gen Faculty/Staff Stories, First-Generation College Celebration Week

Valerie Turner, Career Center

November 9, 2020 by CAST

Valerie Turner

When I entered college, “first-generation college student” was a term that I had never heard. I had grown up in a single-parent home and witnessed my mother leave the house by 5 a.m. every weekday to work in a minimum-wage, physically demanding job at the Big Smith factory and come home with her fingers stained blue from sewing back pockets onto jeans and overalls all day. I don’t remember how old I was when I realized her options were limited because she had only a high school diploma. However, I intuitively knew that a college degree would be my means of escaping a similar fate of living “from hand to mouth.” [Read more…] about Valerie Turner, Career Center

Filed Under: First-Gen Faculty/Staff Stories, First-Generation College Celebration Week

Shami Tarlanov, Disability Resource Center

November 9, 2020 by CAST

Shami Tarlanov

Regardless of all obstacles and challenges, being the First Gen. in my family has been my strength that I harnessed to pursue my education and set a good example for others. [Read more…] about Shami Tarlanov, Disability Resource Center

Filed Under: First-Gen Faculty/Staff Stories, First-Generation College Celebration Week

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