First Generation Students

“Nervous. Lost. Excited. Scared. Lonely. I felt it all as a first-generation college student. I knew deep down that I deserved to be in school, but I didn't truly know what it meant to be a college student. I had always achieved good grades, but I found myself doing the bare minimum and on the verge of failing my very first semester. Luckily, others saw potential in me, and worked with me until I saw the potential in myself. It wasn't easy, but I eventually saw it. I started asking for help. I found my voice for self-advocacy. I found ways to be a leader. My first semester grades were atrocious, but I left that December equipped with new skills and motivation to tackle the challenges on the horizon. I am so happy I kept going.”

“In the late ’70s, my entire family immigrated to America from Italy. My parents (with their four children) knew that America would offer wonderful opportunities for the whole family and a better way of life. Although my parents and the family could not speak any English, we learned and adapted quickly to survive. As a young teenager, it was extremely difficult to leave my friends and everything I knew in Italy. Having difficulty speaking, reading and writing English had a deep impact on my confidence in not only the classroom but in any social event.

I recall being in high school and not having the confidence that I could earn my high school diploma. It was at that point that my parents would always tell me here in America, with hard work you can achieve anything you want! My parents were both custodial workers and they always told me, “An education will ALWAYS offer you unimaginable and wonderful opportunities and a better way of life.” At that time, I didn’t have the maturity to fully understand, but now, I can see how very right they are. As a result of my parent’s support and sacrifices, their children became a college professor, a police officer, a bank executive and a senior computer engineer.

In addition to my parents, I was fortunate to have had a few high school teachers that not only inspired me but would always check in on me periodically. They continued to stay in touch and give me encouragement throughout my college graduations as I earned my bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees. My passion for teaching stems from those few teachers and their ability to inspire me to achieve unimaginable heights. I want to guide and inspire all my students to also achieve unimaginable heights and dreams.”

“I navigated college on my own by asking a lot of questions of advisors and professors. Although my parents very much supported and encouraged me to go to college, they did not intervene in any way to help me in this effort once I arrived on campus. Given the era, this was not an uncommon approach. Parents were not called upon or expected to advocate for their student. My older sister went to college first, and she was a good source of information for me. I remember feeling anxious to leave home, but once I did, I kind of adopted a ‘sink or swim’ attitude and figured I could do it! I encourage students (including my own children) to advocate for themselves. This builds confidence!”