Missouri State University has long been committed to helping first-generation (first-gen) students succeed and realize their dreams because of the doors education opens for successful careers in all fields.
Nov. 2-6 is National First-Generation College Celebration Week, and it’s a great opportunity to recognize these students and the faculty and staff who help them succeed.
Opening doors to opportunity
Nearly 26% of our undergraduate students are first-gen college students. That’s more than one in four students who are working toward a degree without the benefit of having a parent or guardian who earlier navigated that experience.
This means these students are not only pursuing their own dreams, but they’re also creating new opportunities for their families and future generations. That’s something worth celebrating.
The national celebration recognizes the anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which helped expand access to higher education through federal financial aid and programs such as TRIO.
At Missouri State, we’ve long been committed to making a college education accessible and helping students succeed once they get here. We’re focused on increasing access, strengthening student support and ensuring more students can earn a degree that prepares them for a successful career and life.
Helping students succeed
Getting students to Missouri State is just the beginning. We want them to feel welcome, get involved, succeed academically and ultimately walk across the stage at commencement.
Our faculty and staff play a vital role in helping students navigate college life, especially those who are the first in their families to attend.
I want to give a special thanks to our colleagues in the Academic Achievement Center, Center for Academic Success and Transition, Access and Success Programs, Student Learning Services and our network of academic advisors. These dedicated professionals do much more than provide tutoring, academic guidance and other resources. They build relationships, help students overcome challenges and create a powerful sense of belonging.
Sometimes, having someone who believes in you and helps you find your way can make all the difference. That’s what makes Missouri State special. We’re a university where students can find the support and encouragement they need to succeed.
More than a degree
One of my favorite aspects of serving as president is hearing our students’ stories. I’m continually impressed by their determination, resilience and willingness to work hard to achieve their goals.
For our first-gen students, earning a college degree can change the trajectory of an entire family. And, in turn, their success strengthens our university and the communities they’ll serve. It’s a great example of our public affairs mission in action. We’re not just preparing students for careers. We’re helping them become engaged citizens who will make a difference in their communities.
As we celebrate National First-Generation College Celebration Week, I encourage you to take a moment to recognize these students and thank the faculty and staff who support them. I also want to share three stories that demonstrate what the first-gen college experience can look like and the difference a Missouri State education can make.
These are the stories that remind us why we do what we do.
Daniel Paige, ’26
A graduate student in the Master of Student Affairs in Higher Education program, Daniel graduated with his bachelor’s degree in English literature this spring. Thanks to the dual credits he earned in high school, he completed his degree in three years. Born and raised in the small town of Greenfield, Missouri, he wasn’t sure he would be successful at a larger university.
“I was really anxious coming to campus at first in the fall of 2023,” he said. “But the support programs helped me learn to connect with others and made me more comfortable. I could not have succeeded without the great help of the Student Success Center and other resources.
“Those experiences led me to the work I do now at the Student Success Center. I feel very lucky to be able to pay my experiences forward in helping new students who might feel lost or uncertain about their university experiences.”
Today, Daniel serves as a student success coach and mentor to many Mo State students.
Payten Zumwalt, ’29
As a first-gen student, Payten has long dreamed of a career in nursing. Growing up in the very small community of Cleveland, Missouri, she earned her certified nursing assistant certificate while in high school. When she came to Mo State, she was nervous about what college life would be like and whether she would succeed.
“My friends and my scholarship advisor and mentor, Armani Eason, have made all the difference in my adjustment to the university,” said Payten, in talking about her early days on campus. “When I arrived in fall 2025, I was painfully shy. But I have since become more active in campus life, made many friends and have joined Bears Lead and other organizations on campus.
“I first learned about Missouri State during my junior year in high school. I visited for a campus tour, and I quickly saw myself here. When I arrived, I was very nervous, but my roommates were very welcoming and supportive. I can’t thank my professors and everyone on campus enough for being so welcoming.”
Now a second-year student, Payten recently declared her major in nursing.
“I could not be more grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had and the rewarding career I know I’ll have.”
Cynthia Witcig, ’27
Cynthia was raised in El Paso, Texas, by parents who immigrated from Mexico and didn’t have much education. Her mother, the driving force of the family, and her sister, who was already attending college, encouraged her to pursue a college degree and build a better future for herself. She eventually earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Texas at El Paso.
“Early in life I thought there would be no way for me to attend and afford college,” Cynthia said. “But with the help of friends and mentors, I earned my undergraduate degree. After that, we moved to North Carolina for a few years and then to Springfield where I learned about the speech-language pathology graduate program. I instantly thought ‘that’s a career where I can make a difference by helping others.’ The support team here has helped me stay on track toward graduation.”
Cynthia will graduate this coming spring and join her husband in Hawaii, where she already has a speech training position.
Stories like these remind us of the value of our calling in higher education. Every student comes to Missouri State with different experiences, challenges and dreams. Our work ensures they have the opportunities and support to succeed.
That’s what “Igniting Opportunity” is all about. We’re opening doors, helping students reach their goals and preparing them to make a difference in their communities.
Thank you to our faculty and staff who make that possible every day. And congratulations to our first-gen students. We’re proud you’re part of the Bear family, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish.
It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff