University of Minnesota students, staff, faculty, and alumni who are first-generation students and graduates proudly share their stories and experiences.
Roughly 1 in 4 students at the University are the first in their family to attend college. What has your experience been like as a first-gen at the U of M? If you are an undergrad student, graduate student, faculty, staff, or alumnus/alumna from the U of M, you are welcome to share your story.*
*We are using a new website and form this year. If you have submitted your story in a previous year, please consider resubmitting your story this year.
Kayla Cory
Staff & U of M Alumni
My U of M Community:
TRIO McNair Scholars & Pre-Health Student Resource Center
My #UMNFirst Story:
Identifying as a first-gen student was something I grew into as an undergrad student. When I first learned that I was first-gen, I was resentful and felt like I was a "risk" or "burden" to the university. However, through programs like TRIO Student Support Services, TRIO McNair S…
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cholars, and President's Emerging Scholars, I embedded myself into a community of students with similar experiences to mine. Together, we talked about how empowering it was to be a first-gen student because we had skills that our continuing generation peers didn't have. As first-gen students, we have to navigate institutions, often on our own and without the help of our families. We have the initiative to take charge of our futures and set an example for our families. Today, I am a proud first-gen alum that found a career in supporting other first-gen students. I am an advocate for supporting students that don't know how higher education work; I am breaking down the system and barriers students face as they pursue their undergrad, graduate, and professional degrees. Without the support of other first-gen students as I pursued my undergrad and grad degrees, I wouldn't be where I am today. That's why I am #FirstGenProud.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Find a community of students with similar identities to you but also don't limit yourself to only that community. Explore what you're interested in but have a "hub" or "home base" community to come back to so you can talk with peers about experiences you have. Know you are never alone!
If you're a TRIO or PES student, maximize using those resources! The staff in these programs are there to help you and often have similar lived experiences to you. They can connect you to resources that you might not have even heard of!
Anh Doan
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
President's Emerging Scholars, TRIO, Youth Studies, Asian American Studies, Public Health
My #UMNFirst Story:
Coming to America with a single mom and brother was never a dream that my ancestors envisioned for me. As a #firstgen scholar, I never expected myself to be in institutions like the University of Minnesota, especially since there wasn’t many that looked like me. However, looking back now, I can prou…
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dly say that “I belong here”! People who look like me or different from me belong here. We all belong here.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
My advice for first generations is to always go where your feet wanders like my ancestors who traveled all over Vietnam, I did the same thing when I was the U. With that, I am able to meet new folks with different backgrounds from mines but shared the love for lingering to explore.
Nick Rajtar
Graduate Student
My U of M Community:
CFANS, Department of Plant Pathology, Plant Sciences
My #UMNFirst Story:
My parents had only attended college for a year or so and choose to work instead of completing their degree. During my time as an undergraduate I worked 20 hours a week on top of going to school full-time to support myself. I encountered some hardships along the way. It took me six years, two major…
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changes and three different schools to complete my degree. I now have a B.S. in Plant Sciences from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and am now working on completing my PhD in Plant Pathology. I am extremely grateful for the support from my wife, mentors, family, friends and pets. I couldn't be more happy with my choice to complete my degree and continue my education.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Find a major/field to work in that you love and don't be afraid to change majors/schools. Have a hobby that is unrelated to your studies. There will be tough times but the end result is worth it. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Brandon Chen
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
CEHD, TRIO Student Support Services, President's Emerging Scholars
My #UMNFirst Story:
Coming into college I had no idea what First-Gen meant. As my sophomore year goes on I understand the struggles of a First-Gen because of the differences I have with other classmates. I came in with imposter syndrome thinking I did not belong there but I was wrong. The U is a place where all are wel…
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come and lack of knowledge didn't mean that you were going to fail. During my first year I learned so much about college and how things worked. It wasn't an easy process and it included me going to many informational meetings, networking and meeting new people, and going out of my way to ask as many questions as I could. I think all of these struggles are worth it because of the results it has given me. Being a First-Gen does not mean a disadvantage, it means diversity, more colors, more ideas, more room to grow and exceed. I am thankful for all the people I have met through my journey to get me to where I am today. If you are reading this and you're a First-Gen, be proud of yourself and excited for the Future!My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Please do not be afraid to reach out whenever you have questions or need help with something! There are resources out there for you but you have to make that first step in reaching out! Your college experience is what you want it to be if you put the effort into it.
Brandon Chen
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
CEHD, TRIO Student Support Services, President's Emerging Scholars
My #UMNFirst Story:
Coming into college I had no idea what First-Gen meant. As my sophomore year goes on I understand the struggles of a First-Gen because of the differences I have with other classmates. I came in with imposter syndrome thinking I did not belong there but I was wrong. The U is a place where all are wel…
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come and lack of knowledge didn't mean that you were going to fail. During my first year I learned so much about college and how things worked. It wasn't an easy process and it included me going to many informational meetings, networking and meeting new people, and going out of my way to ask as many questions as I could. I think all of these struggles are worth it because of the results it has given me. Being a First-Gen does not mean a disadvantage, it means diversity, more colors, more ideas, more room to grow and exceed. I am thankful for all the people I have met through my journey to get me to where I am today. If you are reading this and you're a First-Gen, be proud of yourself and excited for the Future!My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Please do not be afraid to reach out whenever you have questions or need help with something! There are resources out there for you but you have to make that first step in reaching out! Your college experience is what you want it to be if you put the effort into it.
Ah Vang-Lo
Staff Member
My U of M Community:
TRIO SSS, CEHD
My #UMNFirst Story:
I was never really proud of my Hmong identity until I came to college and met some Hmong brothers and sisters. The community I found made me feel so honored and I was able to really listened to my parent's traumatic history. That made my drive towards college an even stronger motivation and mad…
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e me feel like I belong on a college campus.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Find your community on campus. Be it from a cultural identity, major/academic interest, or hobby. Lean into the uncomfortable space of meeting new people as these can potentially be your long lasting friends. You can do this! You belong here!
Enet Mukurazita
Graduate Student
My U of M Community:
PhD Candidate -CIDE|OLPD College of Education and Human Development
My #UMNFirst Story:
My dad and mum only had a few years of education but they worked had to send us to the best schools they could afford and ensure we have the educational experience they never had. During my educational journey I encountered cultural, financial struggles but I never gave up because my mother would al…
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ways told me education will change your life. I was first generation and woman to obtain an undergraduate degree in my clan. I came back for graduate studies after several years and obtained my MA and have not stopped as today I am on my way to becoming first generation and woman to obtain a doctorate degree , yes in my clan.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
You can do it. Once a college admits you they are confident you can obtain the degree. The journey will not be easy because you are breaking new ground in your family. Clearing a pathway is not easy you have to remove a lot of things and it will be tough but NEVER GIVE UP there is a whole clan looking up to you who want to walk on that pathway you are clearing.#yesyoucanfirstgen#
Michael Rodriguez
Administrator
My U of M Community:
CEHD
My #UMNFirst Story:
Although I am a fifth-generation Minnesotan, I am a first-gen college grad. Didn't think grad school was an option - took a gap year, and with support of University staff, returned to complete grad school. After 22 years on the CEHD faculty, I am now the Dean! I never imagined this was a possib…
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ility - and here I am.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Reach out and accept the support available to you. None of us did this on our own. Together, we create new opportunities and accomplish so much more - more than you might think is possible.
Eva Widder
U of M Alumni
My U of M Community:
Carlson School, CLA
My #UMNFirst Story:
I give a lot of credit to my parents for always encouraging and valuing education, and setting the tone of "when" I go to college not "if" I go to college. Some of my best friends I met as a freshman in Middlebrook Hall more than 20 years ago. I often joke that I would be a full-…
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time student if I didn't need a paycheck; now I work at the U of M which is the next best thing.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Get involved on campus: join student groups and go to events. Go to office hours! Study hard but make time to have fun. And ask about resources to help you succeed as a student - everything from the Center for Writing to the Nutritious U Food Pantry.
Lisa Harnack
Faculty Member
My U of M Community:
School of Public Health
My #UMNFirst Story:
It was baby steps for me- starting at a wonderful local community college for my AA, then going to a smaller state school to earn a BS, and eventually having the confidence to go to a large University far from home for my masters and doctoral degrees. I built confidence with every step, and I am tha…
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nkful to those who guided me and showed me that I belonged. Making it financially was hard- a combination of many jobs, federal financial aid, and scholarships got me through. There is no way to sugar coat the financial stress that often comes with being a first-gen student.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Ask questions and seek advice from faculty and staff. That is what we are here for- it's our job:) Also realize that you don't know what you don't know, and by asking questions and seeking advice some knowledge gaps are apt to be uncovered and hopefully addressed sooner than later.
Korrina Griffith
Advisor
My U of M Community:
Department of Psychology Staff; Psychology and GWSS alum; Department of Educational Psychology - Counselor Education Graduate Program student
My #UMNFirst Story:
When I was younger, my grandpa always wanted me to go to college and wanted me to go to the University of Minnesota since he was never able to. He passed away when I was only 11 but I held on to our shared dream: I would do whatever I could to be a Gopher. I worked hard during high school to achieve…
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many things and become a strong candidate for applying for college. I remember submitting my application and how much of a process it was. I spent a lot of time looking up different words and phrases since I did not have anyone around who had experience applying for college. It took me about a month just to feel confident enough to start my application, making sure I understood everything that the application was asking. Thankfully, the work paid off because here I am now, an alum of the Departments of Psych and Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies and a current student of the Counselor Education program in Educational Psych. Thankfully, through my work as an advisor, I was able to learn a lot about graduate program applications and submit one myself. Next Spring, I will be the first in my family (extended and immediate) to have a graduate degree.
Now, I strive to make the college experience easier for current first-generation students. I try to be transparent and translate the complicated jargon of higher education. I try to share information and resources with students who may not know the specific resources that exist in the first place. I am proud of where I was and where I am now.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Talk with your advisors and use your resources. It's always better to ask questions than to sit in confusion. Many people on campus are happy to help and to clarify. Especially as someone who works in higher education, I know I will get in the habit of using jargon but I am always happy to be interrupted by a student who does not understand or needs a definition. Additionally, your tuition pays for so many resources on campus so be sure to use them to the fullest!
Kaitlyn Wall
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
Carlson School of Management, Supply Chain and Operations Management
My #UMNFirst Story:
I always wanted to go to college but didn't understand the challenges I would face as a first-generation college student. I was navigating college life on my own until I learned how to ask for help and utilize the resources that the University has in place. There are days that I still doubt my…
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abilities and feel like an imposter, but I am finally starting to see my hard work pay off. I am proud of the sacrifices my parents made to give me an opportunity that they didn't receive, and I am proud of myself for overcoming the barriers associated with being a first-gen student.
My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Own your identity as a first-gen student, ask for help, advocate for yourself, and know that you are not alone. Recognize your barriers to success and be proud of yourself for overcoming them!
Minerva S. Munoz
Staff Member
My U of M Community:
TRIO Student Support Services, CEHD, CLA Grad (2004), Humphrey Grad (2009)
My #UMNFirst Story:
I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from CLA (2004) and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Humphrey School (2009). There are blood, sweat and tears tied up in these degrees. There is my own form of liberation in these degrees.
I left my family in 1999 to pursue coll…read more
ege at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with the firm believe that if I wanted to be better and do better for my community and family, I had to invest this time (and money) to develop myself, build skills, and earn that degree. Along the way, I doubted my decision to leave home. I missed my family. I battled imposter syndrome and harbored a lot of self-doubt. Over breaks, I would feel isolated because y family didn't understand my new world at a PWI (predominantly white institution). However, my training as a first gen., low income, woman of color and Puerto Rican from New York all made me more prepared to make it here; I just had to learn how to translate my skills in this new landscape. I found and sometimes built for myself a strong community of support--my MN Family! I not only cultivated my own support systems, but I found my voice. Now I am so grateful to help other #UMNFirst generation college students rise up as the director of TRIO Student Support Services #CelebrateFirstGen #TRIOworks #TRIOFirst
My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Don't wait to be invited to the table, push your way in and claim your space. Speak your truth -- even if imperfectly. Don't code switch to make people feel comfortable. Keep your own "whys" at the center of this journey and maintain your own standards of excellence. Have pride in your past and the mountains your ancestors have climbed for you to be here. Lastly, take the risk on yourself and your growth.
Eric Zhong Fritsche
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
CSE
My #UMNFirst Story:
My mother left after graduating high school in Guangzhou, China to go to Peru, LA, and San Francisco before meeting my dad. He grew up on a rural MN farm before going to tech school to become a mechanic and work at an auto parts store. From their combined efforts and support in a school where I was…
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probably one of two Asians out of ~700 students K-12, I have made it here to the U. Without them, or my friends, I would not have got the skills and drive to make it here at the U for Computer Science.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Be it through on campus resources, mentors, student groups/clubs, or your friends, a support group will help get you thrive!
Khoa Nguyen
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
CLA, Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, APARC/ASPIRE, College Possible, Wallin Scholars
My #UMNFirst Story:
My mom was a stay-at-home mom for me and my brother up until when I went to high school, in which she went to community college to become a medical laboratory technician. My dad has been an engineering technician my whole life because his education in Vietnam was not accepted as well here. I have be…
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en so lucky to have resources such as College Possible in high school where I got help with FAFSA, scholarships, etc., and I was able to some study STEM and medicine at the U. I hope to be able to apply to medical school this upcoming year.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Keep watch of finances and apply to as many scholarships as you can, whether it’s through your college (CLA, etc.) or scholarships offered for your identity group (AANIPISI scholarship, etc.). Imposter syndrome is real but join groups and support networks to surround yourself with people with similar experiences so you can support each other and still have fun! Give yourself some self-care and make sure you’re doing things for the right reason.
Syrah Sabio
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
CLA, Sociology Major, Asian American Studies Minor, Public Health Minor, PES, PSA
My #UMNFirst Story:
My dad never attended college and my mom started but never finished therefore I am the first in my immediate family to make it this far in college with a plan to graduate and potentially further my education afterwards. I came to the U.S. when I was only five years old, my parents wanted to give me…
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the opportunities here that they didn't have in the Philippines. There was a lot of pressure and expectations for my future in education that was brought onto me from my parents growing up. I continue to push myself in my academics and strive for success to make my parents proud but also to be a role model for my younger siblings. Both my parents highlighted the importance of striving for success and doing the best that I can do in anything that I desire. My parents are very supportive and proud of me for where I'm at now and that makes me very proud as well. I work really hard, with the support of many communities and individuals here at the U, in order to be able to give back to my parents and create a meaningful future for not only myself but also other first generation students.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
A small piece of advice that I can give to other first generation students is that you belong here at the U, don’t let the small little things get you down and interfere with the path you're creating for yourself. Instead use it as a way to push yourself and strive for the best. I also think that it's okay to be not be okay sometimes, somedays you will be stressed and overwhelmed but it'll eventually get better. It's important to do things that you like to do to take care of yourself, making sure to keep your mental health as a top priority.
Lecia Mata
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
CFANS, Animal Science (Pre-vet emphasis) and CLA, Ojibwe Language
My #UMNFirst Story:
I've always had a love for animals, when I was in kindergarten and I was asked 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' I always answered veterinarian. My mom was begin college as a nursing student while raising three of her younger siblings and myself and my dad was an auto mechani…
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c. Both of my parents chose to work full-time rather than finish their degree because they wanted to offer me what they felt was more important, stability and unconditional love. I understood college was a necessity with the career I wanted, but the path into college was very intense for me. My family needed me and I decided to begin college while taking care of my sister who was six years old at the time. I lacked the resources to understand the financial aid process, how to select classes and how to utilize university resources. I was overwhelmed and had a constant feeling of imposter syndrome. I questioned if I even belonged in college and why I was admitted to the U or why I was pursuing such an intensive career. With the help of my chemistry professor, the Student Parent Help Center, COIN, AISCC and PES I persevered through my feelings of doubt and obstacles of adjusting to the rigorous college schedule. I'm currently a fourth year student and I'm on track to graduate in the Spring of 2022 with a B.A in Ojibwe Language and a B.S in Animal Science! I'm also serving as a Peer Mentor for the PES program and the President for the American Indian Student Cultural Center (AISCC). While my time in college has not always been the picture-perfect experience, I've grown and learned so much through my time here and I'm excited to see where my academic career takes me.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Never look as failure as a finality. Failure is an obstacle intended to challenge us beyond our current prospectives during our journey. When those feelings of burnout, overwhelmed or imposter syndrome arise, sit down and think of all those things you have accomplished so far. As a first-generation student you're defying every statistic society labels us with, you're providing your peers with a unique prospective and overall you bring so much to a community with simply your presence. You're resilient, you're resourceful and you're revitalizing a society built on systematic racism and oppression.
Quynh Nhu Dao
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
CLA, Institute of Child Development, PES, McNair Scholars
My #UMNFirst Story:
I first came to the United States when I was 7 years old. My naive, younger self did not understand the complexities of being a person of color coming from a different country. My early childhood education consisted of me trying to fit in with my peers while trying to learn a second language. I felt…
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like an outsider. Now as a first-generation student at the UMN, I still feel reminiscent of that loneliness at times. I've jumped through many obstacles and hardships, but I did not do it alone. Through the supportive staffs and friends I've connected throughout the years, I can confidently say I am proud to be first-gen!My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Take a day and explore all the campus resources available to students. Invite a friend or two and have fun while exploring. You never know what and who you can find!
Molly Baltins
Staff Member
My U of M Community:
CCAPS
My #UMNFirst Story:
Becoming a first generation college student is an incredible honor, and dream, for me. I always loved school and my grandpa always said I was going to graduate and become the family's first college graduate. This was special to me as he didn't finish high school. My college studies were lo…
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nger compared to most students on campus. During my undergraduate studies, I had to take a semester medical leave as I received a horrible concussion. The next few years I attended classes as a part time student but was determine to finish my degree. With all of the support of staff, advisers, and my family, I was able to make my dream come true. I graduated with the Inter-College Program with Product Design and Sustainability Studies. Being a Gopher is truly special to me. I also started working in the Office of Admissions as a student helping other students complete their applications to come to campus! After graduation I still work in this office as I love sharing the Gopher Spirit and help other First Generation Students with applying to the U!My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
My advice for first-generation students is to reach out and don't be afraid to ask for help! I personally worked with multiple advisers, counselors, as well as numerous staff members during my time on campus. Everyone wants you to succeed and reach your goals! If you are also not sure of a major, don't be afraid to explore! The U has a great resource called the Center for Academic Planning and Exploration (CAPE) that is amazing at helping you decide on the perfect major. This is where I found the Inter-College Program! Additionally, if there are any bumps in the road, keep going! I had a lot more bumps in my road then what I ever thought I would, but it was my determination that makes me even more proud to call myself a Gopher Alumni!
Michael Schroeder
U of M Alumni
My U of M Community:
Carlson School of Management
My #UMNFirst Story:
I was the first-- and only, member of my family to get a college degree - my brothers, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents did not graduate from college, though my father did take a few classes at the U after serving in the Marines. I transferred to Minnesota after freshman year not sure w…
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hat career path I was going to pursue but soon I became determined to go into finance and that is where my path led. Thanks to the outstanding education I received at Carlson School and the leadership and networking skills I obtained as a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity I was able to retire recently after building and selling my business. I'm now fortunate to be able to give back to the next generation of students by proudly serving as an Advisory Board Member of the Kidwell Funds Enterprise at the Carlson School - it is very exciting to see so many talented and eager young future professionals take advantage of the resources the University has to offer - including staff/faculty, mentors, alumni and fellow students/peers.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Opinion is split about the value of a college education, and there are high-paying jobs that do not require one but speaking from my personal experience, I can honestly say I benefited in multiple ways from my collegiate experience. Education, including "learning how to learn" is of course the most valuable benefit. But the most enduring benefits are self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment that very few other life experiences can provide. Stay the course!
Will O'Berry
Staff Member
My U of M Community:
President's Emerging Scholars
My #UMNFirst Story:
Navigating college as a first-generation college student was simultaneously daunting, exciting, and rewarding. I often felt a lot of stress about whether I would ultimately make it through to graduation, but I did thanks, in part, to staff and mentors who genuinely cared about me and to the family t…
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hat I constructed along the way.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Put in the work to develop relationships with staff and instructors at the University, and get out there, and make friends! These relationships will help sustain you as you move through college, as well as the rest of your life.
Steve
Staff Member
My U of M Community:
PES
My #UMNFirst Story:
I am proud to say that I am a first generation college student. I have completed my degrees and in doing so I've made the path smoother for my children and others like me. My first generation college students inspire me every day and I hope I do the same for them!
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My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Ask questions. Nobody has it all figured out, but together we do. The more questions you ask, the better off you will be.
Hannah Methner
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
College of Liberal Arts, BA in Biology, Society, and Environment, Minor in Public Health
My #UMNFirst Story:
Growing up, my parents had instilled the value of quality education. They are my biggest supporters and have fiercely believed in my ability to achieve my dreams. Because of them, I have always considered myself to be a lifelong learner. Being the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degre…
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e was really intimidating at first. I never knew where I could go if I had questions and felt guilty about asking for help. It wasn't until I had an instructor who confided in me about their experience of being a first-generation college student, that I truly knew how much support there was for students, like me, at the University of Minnesota. Following this interaction, I was able to connect with staff at the Pre-Health Student Resource Center and participate in a program called the "First-Gen Pre-Health Workshop Series". This program helped me understand how our unique perspectives and backgrounds can be an asset to health programs. It means so much to myself and my family to be a first-gen student and it will be a proud piece of my identity to share when applying to graduate school!My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Reach out to campus support centers early on in your college career. I feel really lucky to have created mentor relationships with staff at the university who know what you're going through and are eager to help you succeed!
Alivia Rust
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
Carlson
My #UMNFirst Story:
Growing up, I did not learn much about college, as my parents did not attend. I heard about college through friends and neighbors, but never understood much about it. My parents were always at work while I was in elementary- high school. They have worked quite hard for what we have, but they are mis…
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erable working. I decided to come to college to try to provide a better life with more opportunities for my future family.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Although it may seem as though the odds are against you, you are enough! You can do this.
Mark Engebretson
Staff Member
My U of M Community:
University Libraries
My #UMNFirst Story:
Neither of my parents graduated high school, let alone attended college. My mother dropped out in 11th grade and my father only went through 8th grade. Both grew up in small Wisconsin towns during the Great Depression. My dad worked as an over-the-road truck driver, a job he held for more than 30 ye…
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ars. I, also, was a high school dropout. At 18, I started working industrial jobs, including more than five years at Acme Foundry, an iron foundry in South Minneapolis. I earned my G.E.D. and started taking classes at Minneapolis Community College, while still working at the foundry. After a couple of years, I decided to quit the foundry and attend college full time. I transferred to the University of Minnesota and earned my bachelor's degree in journalism. After graduating, I worked for 10 years as a journalist before accepting a communications position, in 1999, at the University of Minnesota. I later earned a master's degree in health journalism at the U of M. I've been employed at the U of M for more than 22 years and currently I am the Director of Advancement for the University Libraries.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Never give up on your dreams. Keep moving forward.
Linda Vang Kim
Staff Member
My U of M Community:
CEHD
My #UMNFirst Story:
Growing up in a single parent, poor, immigrant household, my mother emphasized the importance of education. She never had the opportunity to attend school back in Laos and believed the only way out of poverty was to get a good education. Even though I struggled with ACT prep, college applications, a…
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nd FAFSA forms all alone, I always had her support. Although it wasn't culturally accepted, she allowed me to "go away" to college and live in the dorms. At college, I quickly realized how out of place I was. I hadn't known what to expect, felt like an imposter, and was angry. Mostly I was angry. After an invigorating class discussion, I knew my classmates could go back to their dorms and call up their parents to continue the conversation... I couldn't. Despite this, I found support from TRIO Student Support Services, where I met other first gen students and formed a caring and supportive community that helped me feel less "different". And my mom, bless her heart, always sent me back to school with a box of noodles and a bag of rice after a weekend back home. This familiar food sustained me through the hardest years of my life.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Don't ever doubt that you belong here. You are here because of your own hard work and commitment. Higher education systems may not have been created for us but we are here. Find your people on campus who will support you during your educational journey and beyond.
Kifaya Bishop
Staff Member
My U of M Community:
Student Counseling Services
My #UMNFirst Story:
It wasn't until my second year of college until I learned of the term "first gen college student" to help me process the experiences and challenges I had navigating the higher education system. I was able to find a supportive peer community, an academic advisor, and a career advisor t…
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hat guided me in my success. When I graduated, I knew it was beyond just me (it was for my family, the Oromo community, and the BIPOC community). I will always be proud of this identity and proud to say I'm one of two siblings (there are 14 of us) who have completed their Masters degree. #YesYouCan.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Don't be afraid to ask for help. There is an entire community of us (students, faculty, staff), you're not in it alone. Seek out opportunities beyond the classroom experience (study abroad/away, internship, research, leadership roles, etc.).
You deserve to be here and belong here! The UMN community is better because you're here!
Ellen Harth
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
CFANS
My #UMNFirst Story:
Attending the University of Minnesota was always a dream for me. I grew up on a dairy farm and knew I wanted to be involved in an agriculture career. My grandparents and parents pushed me to always work hard and never give up on my dreams. With the help of the Land-Grant Legacy Scholarship, my dream…
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of going to the U of M became a reality. I will be graduating in December with degrees in Agricultural Communication and Marketing and Animal Science with an emphasis in Dairy Production. I am so excited to share my knowledge in my future career and serve as a mentor to first-gen college students like myself!My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
It’s going to be hard. There will be days where your family or friends do not support your decisions and days that you struggle to balance academics and extracurriculars. Quite frankly, there will be days where you want to quit. No matter what, keep trying your best and do what’s best for your physical and mental health.
Bassel El Mrawed
Graduate Student
My U of M Community:
Humphrey, CLA, Law School, Masters of Human Rights
My #UMNFirst Story:
When I was in undergrad, my dad would sometimes drive me to classes. Every so often, he looked at the groups of students going on about and he would say "I always wondered what goes on behind those walls." He would then give me a proud look and say "now I get to know through you; Acad…
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emia is a field where connections are everything. If you know the right people, have a certain background, or possess particular information, your journey will be easier. Being first generation gives me so much strength and a sense of pride and accomplishment because I created my own network organically and help build myself up to give back to my community. Due to my merit and dedication, which came from my parent's hard work, I am now a Fulbright Scholar and a Masters of Human Rights student at the University of Minnesota.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Do not be intimidated or feel less-than your other peers, you are where you are because of your hard work, perseverance, and talent. You deserve the success you have worked for!
Thi Bui
U of M Alumni
My U of M Community:
CLA, Communications Studies, PES, MCAE, OTE, Asian-American Student Union
My #UMNFirst Story:
It wasn’t easy being a first generation college student but I was able to graduate successfully with the support of my friends, family, and community built on campus. My involvements with the Asian-American Student Union and many other cultural organizations allowed me to find a sense of belonging o…
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n campus and validate my identity as a Vietnamese-American. Through working for the Orientation and Transition Experiences office as an Orientation Leader, Program Coordinator for Welcome Week and Commuter Success, I was able to make so many connections and develop skills in leadership and communication. I am so much more than just making my family proud for graduating college. Most importantly, I am proud of myself for getting me through college.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Do what makes you happy. You are supported by more people than you think. Discover your passions through your classes, networking, and community involvements. You’ll find it.
And most importantly, you are not alone.
KorbyQuan Reed
U of M Alumni
My U of M Community:
CEHD CSPP
My #UMNFirst Story:
The more I interact with college and graduate students, the older I get, the closer I get to raising children of my own - the more I realize just how important it is to recognize, engage with, and uplift first-generation students because in a lot of ways they are historically lacking those three thi…
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ngs! As a first generation student myself, undergrad in Indiana and then grad at UMN, it was tough to connect fully and realize the potential I had, until I began working with students directly. I often doubted my ability, which I learned later was imposter syndrome, I grappled with identity, which I learned later was because my upbringing lacked the proper tools to explore, and this all kept me from thriving personally and academically.
A year into my graduate program I joined the CEHD Career Services team as an intern career counselor and that was when I began to realize the world was bigger around me. In my head, the path ahead, once singular and often times narrow, turned into a series of branches and twists, some loops of course, but I knew that this opportunity was what I needed to thrive. I used that platform to help others discover their potential, question their trained narratives, and look beyond what seemed impossible before - many of those students being first-generation and underserved. Who am I if not a conduit of others getting to where they need to be, just as amazing leaders like Jeannie Stumne, Cassie Schiller, Juan Telles, Jamie Schumann, Bai Vue, and Ellen Sunshine (+ so many more!) were conduits to my growth. I'm proud to be first-generation and I'm proud of those who are still trying, still fighting, and still rising - thriving looks good on you!My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Seek out perspectives as much as possible. It's okay to ask the most qualified person in the room for advice but know that there is a room full of people who have lived and survived very similar situations.
Osirus Washington
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
CLA
My #UMNFirst Story:
Born in Columbus Ohio, I am the third of nine children. It was no small task for my parents to raise all of their children with no college education. My parents received a lot of help from my late grandmother who only had an eighth grade education. Education was given to us children from our parents…
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and grandmother as ""keys"" to a better life. My siblings and I were always sent to schools that my mother diligently looked into. The first full school year we lived in Minnesota, my siblings and I attended a charter school in North Minneapolis named the Best Academy.
Upon arrival to Minnesota in April of 2006, I was eight years old and my family was homeless moving around from motel, to relative, to homeless shelter. I missed almost the entirety of my second grade year due to our housing instability. By the time I began the third grade, we had moved into a home in North Minneapolis. Spending third through seventh grade at Best Academy taught me the one of the most important lessons in life that I could learn as a young Black man. That lesson is that I am a scholar, but to be great I have to work hard at it. From the third through the sixth grade I was an honor roll student working hard at becoming a great man.
As I entered the seventh grade I began to have behavioral issues due to my grandmother who I lived with my whole life having a heart attack right in front of me, and my good family friend/role model being murdered. From seventh grade all the way until the middle of my senior year in high school, I managed to barely get by with passing grades. There was never a question of my academic intelligence or capability, just a question of would I be able to overcome my childhood trauma and being poverty stricken. The initial answer to the last question was no, as I even dropped out of high school for a few weeks before enrolling in an alternative school. However, when I enrolled in the alternative school I was able to get my act together and get back on track to graduate high school in enough time to be on time. I even managed to obtain an offer to play basketball at a community college two hours northwest of Minneapolis.
Although my basketball career didn't go as planned, it paved the way for me to be here today. In my first year at my community college, I was nominated student senate president and awarded male freshman of the year. My second year I served as the student senate president and graduated with honors as the commencement speaker on my way to being a student at the University of Minnesota. Upon graduation from the University of Minnesota in the Spring of 2021, I will be the first male in my lineage to obtain a bachelors degree; I am the second person after my oldest sister. The road to get here has been long and bumpy but I have arrived.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Get it in your mind that you are going to have to work harder than most other students. You may have to work a job on top of figuring out these College/University systems. You may have a lack of a supporting cast. However, you will succeed as long as you work hard at it. Never give up, take no for an answer, or forget where you came from!!!
Erika Sanborne
Graduate Student
My U of M Community:
CLA, Sociology Department, PhD program
My #UMNFirst Story:
I am decidedly #FirstGenProud today, as I look back and wonder how on Earth I even got to this point in my life. Here I am researching population health and global well-being metrics, in this exceptional Sociology PhD program, as a middle-aged PhD student, but my own well-being was pretty unclear wh…
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en I was young and would have been a traditional-aged grad student. My birth parents had major mental health challenges, and were thus unsafe to be around. I knew they couldn't write my story, but I was not sure what other trajectories to pursue. I enlisted in the military on a whim, which ended up giving me some needed space and distance to figure some things out. The influence of my amazing maternal grandparents was pretty cool too. They taught me about well-being, through their kindness and generosity.
Because of the research and data resources available to me here, I'm literally able to construct a data story that says something about the well-being of the world today. Isn't that amazing? I'm hopefully doing so in a way that can help global leaders make the best decisions, informed by that data. We already know that well-being metrics more accurately reflect how a nation is doing than even per capita GDP. This stuff is important. How folks are doing matters.
As a first gen student, seeking to earn my PhD over the age of 50, I'm telling part of that data story of well-being, as told to the survey-takers across the global who ask the questions in about 160 countries, about how life is going for people today. And I am more grateful than I can put into words to be doing this work.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
You write your story.
Abyan Osman
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
Biology, Society and Environment (major)-CLA, Public Health (minor), PES and MCAE
My #UMNFirst Story:
Growing up, my parents instilled the value of hard work and dedication. Since I was younger, I was always intrigued by the many topics in academia, whether it was science-based or among the social sciences. I always knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field and as a ninth-grader I researched dif…
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ferent majors at the UMN and was fascinated by the coursework in the Biology, Society and Environment major. I planned to do PSEO and did so during my last two years of high school. I have obtained a breadth of knowledge from my multidisciplinary major but also got to learn about issues in health among the community and worldwide with my Public Health minor. Being first generation, I have learned that the only way to succeed is through motivation and knowing that you are capable of anything.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
At the end of the day as cliché as it sounds, we are all human. You can accomplish anything. You need to knock on doors and be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Go to office hours, go to tutoring sessions and connect with professionals in your given field. I know you can do this!
Lynda Ellis
Retired Faculty Member
My U of M Community:
LaMP
My #UMNFirst Story:
My parents were both born outside the USA; my mother was born in Poland, my father was born in Mexico. I was born in LA, in a hispanic neighborhood. I did well in school. I went to college on scholarship. At that time there were few women in sciences, but I was friends with several. I received…
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several offers for graduate school. I was engaged by then, and at least one faculty member through that meant that my schooling was wasted. But I went to Brandeis (Waltham, Mass) and my now husband went to MIT (Cambridge, Mass). Then we both came to University of Minnesota.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Work hard and good things will happen.
Eric R Howell
Graduate Student
My U of M Community:
College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS) / MPS Civic Engagement
My #UMNFirst Story:
The odds were greatly stacked against me. I was reared in a disfunctional home and finishing high school was a huge deal to me. Though it was difficult to get my footing to establish a commitment to undergraduate school, I was able to see manifestation from the investment. Today, I am looking in the…
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rear view mirror and where I came from, undoubtedly, catapulted me to levels I never knew I could experience. The University of Minnesota has offered me that place to experience those new levels. I am a proud #UMNFirst and #GopherProud of where these educational opportunities while take me. #SkiUMah #FirstGenProudMy Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Never give up on searching your heart and once you recognize where your heart is searching, never give up getting to the places where your heart will take you new places. Emotions will change but your heart will not.
Salma Hussein
U of M Alumni
My U of M Community:
CEHD, CCE
My #UMNFirst Story:
I attended the U as a first gen student. I struggled and was grateful to have mentors who championed me and believed in me. As a result of the connections I made I was able to successfully earn my undergraduate degree, go on to get my masters, and recently got accepted to an EdD program. I am gratef…
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ul for the experiences and supports I received as a student at the U. I am passionate and determined to make sure students experience success and understand they are success.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Be yourself. Ask for help. Find community. Lean in to your story. Remember you are enough. You are worthy. You are success.
Zamzam Dini
Graduate Student
My U of M Community:
Family Social Science - CFT program
My #UMNFirst Story:
Growing up with first-generation immigrant parents meant college was an expectation. However, how I would reach that goal would be a journey I would have to take on my own. When she was younger, my mother's formal education was forcefully stopped at 8th grade, so she could take care of her youn…
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ger siblings while they continued on to high school. She always recalls that experience and knows how it feels to have your education taken away from you. With this story in my heart, I vowed to obtain the highest degree possible, partly in honor of my mother's sacrifice, but also to be an advocate of women's education everywhere.
Attending a Predominantly White Institute (PWI) in Washington state, as a Psychology major, constantly made me feel like I was out of place. However, I had bigger plans for myself and never swayed in my motivation. I've had program advisors say to me that I was not cut out for a PhD program and that I should settle for a Masters. I've had close family members laugh at me when I said I would obtain my PhD. I also had family members who encouraged me and reminded me of all I had accomplished so far. Not only was I the first person to graduate from college in my family, but I was also the first high school graduate in my family, even though I wasn't the oldest. After graduating with my B.A in psychology at the University of Washington, I set out to find graduate programs that complemented my worldview.
It only made sense that I chose Marriage and Family Therapy for my graduate program and decided to become a therapist as a career choice. I graduated with my Masters from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota with a 4.0 GPA this summer. I also began my PhD journey in the Couple Family therapy program in the Family Social Science department at the University of Minnesota this fall. Encouraging BIWOC, first-gen and underrepresented scholars and researchers is my goal in life and I will never stop fighting to take my place at the table and bring everyone else with me.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Remember, no one person or school counselor/advisor controls your path or future. Take advice and criticism with a grain of salt and trust your gut. You are the expert of your own life and don't give anybody the opportunity to sow the seed of self-doubt in you. You are worthy of success, just like everybody else. Also, never compare journeys. A degree, is a degree, is a degree.
Kathy Santamaria Mendez
U of M Alumni
My U of M Community:
Dept. Chicano/Latino Studies, CLA
My #UMNFirst Story:
I was born in El Salvador to a Honduran-Salvadoran mother and Salvadoran father. After the devastations our country suffered after a civil war and various natural disasters, my parents decided to bring me along in their migration journey to the United States in 2001; I was only 2 years old. I grew u…
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p navigating two different worlds. As the oldest child, and as a female, I felt the added pressure of succeeding and being a role model. I grew up witnessing my parents work-hard, and I also witnessed their own struggles in navigating a new world. I knew I wanted to show them that their decisions weren't in vain. I faced an added challenge to my life when I became a teen mom at 15 years old. I decided that I was not going to give up on my dreams. With the continuous support of my parents, I managed to finish high school and my AA-degree at the same time. I entered the U of M as a junior, and graduated with my B.A. in Chicano/Latino Studies when I was 20 years old. It was hard because I had to apply to financial aid outside of FAFSA since I am not a U.S.-Citizen. I had to learn to navigate the higher education system with outside support since my parents did not understand how everything worked. Due to my various struggles as an immigrant, I knew I wanted to work in immigration law; this pushed me to apply to law school. I was accepted to the law schools I applied to, with amazing scholarship offers. I am now a 1L at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
I am extremely proud of myself for not only being the first person in my family to obtain a bachelor's degree, but I will also be the first to obtain a doctoral/professional degree. My son has been on this entire journey with me since high school. I know things are rough for both of us at times, but I hope he's able to look back to this journey, and realize how resilient and capable he is. These degrees are not only mine, but they also belong to him. We are currently attending law school in the middle of a pandemic, and I am so proud of him for sticking through it all with me! We are on a mission, and we will not stop until his mom is officially barred in the State of Minnesota.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Wake up everyday reminding yourself that you deserve to be here. Imposter syndrome is real, and I still struggle with it at times. Take a deep breath, remind yourself of everything you've accomplished, and keep moving forward with your head held high. You deserve everything that is coming your way!!
Musab
Undergrad Student
My U of M Community:
Carlson School of Management, Accounting
My #UMNFirst Story:
My parents have always instilled in me the value of education as a first generation immigrant. Despite not having the resources to tackle the challenges that my peers can navigate easily, I stayed determined to make something of myself. As one of the few black people in Carlson, I developed an impos…
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ter syndrome thinking that I did not belong to the Carlson business school because of my circumstance and social class. It took a semester and I-Core for me to truly fit in Carlson. I believe I lost opportunities and resources trying to navigate the academic word by myself but nevertheless I persevered. I’m so glad to my advisor (Lindsay Gundecha) and professors who gave me hope and urged me to finish strong. I’m thankful to the Carlson scholarship committee for lessening my financial hardship. I take pride in being a first generation student because of all the experience that it has enabled me to gain.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
My advice for first generation students is to advocate for yourself. speak to your professors, advisors and college department for any resources that you need. To be a first generation means that you have array of experience. We have a lot to offer to the world and our unique experiences makes us different. Navigating the academic world will be hard when you are the first but you are paving the way for many others. you really made it here so pat yourself on the back.
Brandon Koch
Faculty Member
My U of M Community:
Division of Biostatistics
My #UMNFirst Story:
As a first-generation college student with parents and an older sibling who never even enrolled in college, flying halfway across the country to start a PhD program in Minnesota felt like a gamble. Whenever I tried to talk about graduate school with my family, I was met with puzzling looks and found…
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it difficult to explain to them why I was going to be in school for at least another five years even though I had just graduated with my Bachelor’s degree. Even after lengthy discussions, most of my family thought I was going to be treating patients and performing surgeries after graduate school (since I would someday be “Dr. Koch”), despite the fact I was going to study biostatistics.
After starting the PhD program at Minnesota, I was met with some of the most difficult challenges of my life. Coursework was much more demanding than in undergraduate school, and I had never lived in a city or anywhere farther than a short drive away from home. Fortunately, many people at Minnesota (such as my advisors, professors, and other students in the program) helped me overcome these obstacles, and after five years, I graduated with my PhD.
After graduation, I returned to my undergraduate institution - the University of Nevada, Reno - as a faculty member (my dream job). It was a surreal experience to teach a course in the same exact classroom I had once sat in as a student. Even though there were many times I questioned the path I was on while going through school, I’m happy I persisted and would do it all over again to get to where I am today.My Advice for Other First-Gen Students:
Find supportive mentors and advisors, and don't be afraid to ask questions.