糖心传媒

About 20 percent of Rochester糖心传媒檚 undergraduate student body are the first in their family to make the higher education leap.

As he sat among thousands of fellow graduating students at the 糖心传媒糖心传媒檚 commencement ceremony last May, Justin Pimentel 糖心传媒�23 reflected on his family糖心传媒檚 sacrifices.

糖心传媒淢y grandparents couldn糖心传媒檛 fathom the idea of a college education,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淏oth my parents stopped studying in middle school so that they could work to provide for their families. To graduate from a private university with two degrees糖心传媒攐ne in computer science, one in history糖心传媒攚as a huge milestone, and it was very emotional for everyone.糖心传媒�

Raven Osborn 糖心传媒�23 (PhD), the graduate student speaker that day, sat on the podium feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. 糖心传媒淚 had about 12 family members there and felt so much pride,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淏ecause they saw the evidence. They saw what I had accomplished. I had come here and made a new life, and it felt so good.糖心传媒�

Pimental and Osborn are first-generation students糖心传媒攖he first in their families to graduate from a four-year college or university. About 20 percent of undergraduates on the River Campus and at the identify as 糖心传媒渇irst gen,糖心传媒� and it can be a lonely, intimidating journey, especially at institutions without the dedicated resources that Rochester provides.

Who糖心传媒檚 a first-generation student?

The definition of who is considered a first-generation student varies by institution. Some base it on whether a parent simply attended college糖心传媒攅ven if that parent 诲颈诲苍糖心传媒檛 graduate.

Many universities, including the University of Rochester, use the same definition as the , the undergraduate college admission used by millions, and the . 糖心传媒淲e consider a first-generation student to be one whose parents 诲颈诲苍糖心传媒檛 earn a bachelor糖心传媒檚 degree from any college or university in the world,糖心传媒� says Robert Alexander, the vice provost and University dean of enrollment management糖心传媒攈imself a first-generation college graduate.

By that definition, about 56 percent of undergraduates enrolled during the 2015糖心传媒�16 academic year reported being first-generation, according to the from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). Meanwhile, the data from the 2022糖心传媒�23 application season, (see Figure 2), places the number of first-generation applicants around 37 percent. While those percentages may seem high, they reflect the fact that many first-generation students enroll at community colleges.

The NASPA data also reveal other notable differences between first- and continuing-generation students. Only 36 percent of white students identified as first generation; meanwhile, most Hispanic or Latino students (60 percent), Black or African American students (59 percent), and American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander students (54 percent) were the first in their families to graduate from college. About 28 percent of first-generation students were 30 or older.

Alexander says his parents instilled in him early that education was the path to a better life. 糖心传媒淢y dad was a firefighter and had side jobs working for scrap metal companies,糖心传媒� Alexander says. 糖心传媒淗e糖心传媒檇 say, 糖心传媒榊ou see how dirty and greasy and tired I am? Do you want to work with your hands like this every day or go to a nice office and wear a tie?糖心传媒� And it was a message I took to heart.糖心传媒�

Alexander says the University looks for students who are committed to making themselves, their communities, and the world a better place. 糖心传媒淎nd that has little relation to whether their parents went to college or not,糖心传媒� he says.

Last June, the race-based affirmative action in college admissions. As a June 2023 notes, colleges may come to rely more on indicators such as applicants糖心传媒� first-generation status to diversify their student body following the Supreme Court糖心传媒檚 ruling. The Common App even includes a box that students can check to self-report their first-generation status.

糖心传媒淲e aren糖心传媒檛 certain what to expect with the next incoming class,糖心传媒� Alexander says. 糖心传媒淲e糖心传媒檙e going to work harder than ever to make sure that every qualified student sees Rochester as a great option.糖心传媒�

Navigating the college application process, often with no road map

Applying to college can be difficult糖心传媒攖here are essays to write, financial aid forms to complete, and letters of recommendation to secure. It can be especially challenging for high school students whose families have limited or no familiarity with the process.

糖心传媒淚t was stressful because I 诲颈诲苍糖心传媒檛 know what I was doing,糖心传媒� Pimentel says. 糖心传媒淔ortunately, I received support through the entire college process from a program I was part of through my high school called . People there helped me with the Common App essay and supplemental questions and really everything in the process. With their support, I was able to make it to a great school.糖心传媒�

The anxiety was two-fold for Janae Gaddy 糖心传媒�24E, a double bass performance major at the Eastman School of Music.

糖心传媒淔iguring out which schools to apply to, learning how to develop supplemental materials, and organizing all of the deadlines is overwhelming,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淏ut an extra layer exists for music schools, which often require initial prescreen videos as well as live auditions. Navigating all of this without family who had gone through the process was daunting and challenging. If not for music educators who sacrificed their time and resources to help me, I糖心传媒檓 not sure I would have gotten through this process.糖心传媒�

Persistence pays off with a PhD at Rochester

According to the NASPA survey, a smaller proportion of first-generation graduates (4 percent) and those whose parents had some college experiences (5 percent) had enrolled in doctoral or professional programs than had their counterparts whose parents had earned a bachelor糖心传媒檚 degree (10 percent).

Osborn aimed to buck the odds. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, the oldest of 10 siblings and half-siblings. She enrolled at the University of Missouri and had excellent grades her first semester. But she needed to pay for tuition and housing and began working three jobs糖心传媒攐ne as a research assistant at the college and the others at Applebee糖心传媒檚 and Sam糖心传媒檚 Club. It proved an impossible task. 糖心传媒淚 went two and a half years and failed pretty much every subject,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淚 finally was kicked out for poor grades.糖心传媒�

She moved out of state twice, feeling shame for disappointing her family, and worked several jobs over the next few years: car detailer, restaurant server, perfume boutique salesperson糖心传媒攅ven dabbling in day-trading on the stock market. She occasionally took courses at different community colleges. 糖心传媒淚 wasn糖心传媒檛 happy,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淚 was working some days until 3 in the morning, and I had no life. I knew there had to be something better.糖心传媒�

Osborn contacted administrators at Missouri and asked to be reinstated. She was required to take some community college courses first but was readmitted. This time, she earned straight A糖心传媒檚, making the dean糖心传媒檚 list every semester. 糖心传媒淚t was all about being focused,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淚 wasn糖心传媒檛 ready for college the first time, and I wasn糖心传媒檛 focused.糖心传媒�

In her final semester, she found a mentor in Missouri biology professor Rex Cocroft糖心传媒斕切拇�媒渢he first to really see my determination糖心传媒澨切拇�媒攚ho guided her through the graduate school application process. She enrolled at Rochester in 2017, eventually earning a doctorate in translational biomedical services. While at Rochester, she cofounded and led the Alliance for Diversity in Science and Engineering, served as a student representative in the Translational Biomedical Sciences program, and cochaired the Rochester糖心传媒檚 Young Science Club, designing and and implementing experiments for gifted and underserved area middle school students.

She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University糖心传媒檚 Medical Center and recently accepted a job at Eli Lilly as a translational pathology bioinformatics advisor.

Ironically, was the first time Osborn 诲颈诲苍糖心传媒檛 feel imposter syndrome糖心传媒攖he belief that she was out of place and undeserving of her accomplishments.

糖心传媒淚 finally knew I belonged and knew the sacrifices I had made to get here,糖心传媒� she says. 糖心传媒淚t was an amazing feeling.糖心传媒�

The role of mentors, extracurriculars, and financial support

According to the , first-generation students nationwide are less likely than their continuing generation counterparts to participate in career fairs (24 versus 30 percent) or access career planning services (28 versus 34 percent). to hold a formal leadership role or participate in a research project with a faculty member, land a paid internship, or study abroad.

Yet at Rochester, many first-generation students and alumni are taking charge of their education糖心传媒攁nd their future. In addition to making the most of the people, resources, and experiential learning opportunities available at the University, they are also advocating for themselves and their peers on campus and beyond.

Pimentel found a mentor in his undergraduate advisor, Molly Ball, a lecturer in the . 糖心传媒淪he was a resource beyond being a professor,糖心传媒� Pimentel says. 糖心传媒淪he would often send me ideas on how to blend the study of history and computer science with real-life situations. She helped me find the courage I needed to succeed on campus. She made sure I was in good hands for four years and working toward my goals. And she saw me graduate with a history degree.糖心传媒�

During his time at Rochester, Pimentel served as president of the , where the Bronx native advocated for underrepresented engineers in STEM industries. He now works as a software engineer for an American multinational aerospace and defense technology company.

Gaddy糖心传媒檚 mentor was Danielle Arnold, Eastman糖心传媒檚 assistant director of admissions, where Gaddy works as an office assistant and tour guide. 糖心传媒淒anielle has cultivated a work environment that is healthy, supportive, and challenging,糖心传媒� Gaddy says. 糖心传媒淪he has been a consistent source of encouragement, helping me overcome my fears and being a wonderful resource in the graduate school application process.糖心传媒�

Once the COVID-19 pandemic eased, Gaddy immersed herself in the Eastman and River Campus communities. She plays in the and other ensembles, has served as social media coordinator for , and is a member of . She糖心传媒檚 also a recipient of the Laura L. Fulton and Martin P. Zemel Eastman School of Music Endowed Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to talented students from diverse backgrounds.

Like , Gaddy expects to pursue a master糖心传媒檚 degree糖心传媒攕pecifically, a master of music in double bass performance. She aspires to teach that instrument at a university, play in a chamber orchestra, and maintain a private teaching studio.

Kearns Center: Fostering a sense of belonging on campus

During his time as an undergraduate, Pimentel discovered the David T. Kearns Center, the academic home to all first-generation students on the River Campus. It offers many services to support students in their academic, personal, and professional goals, including advising and study groups, workshops on topics such as financial literary and building a professional brand, research opportunities, and assistance applying to summer research programs.

The Kearns Center also offers a one-credit, eight-week course titled Navigating the Academy, taught by Kearns staff and focusing on the transition to college life. While the course is geared toward first-generation students, any student who identifies as low-income or an underrepresented minority can take the class at any point in their academic career.

糖心传媒淭he mission of the course is to provide space for students interested in connecting with our center to explore the shared individual and group narratives of students,糖心传媒� says Melissa Raucci, assistant director for college programs at the Kearns Center. 糖心传媒淭hrough readings, activities, guest speakers, and group discussions, students increase their understanding of how to make the most of their college experience.糖心传媒�

Jazmin Dunham, a senior student support services advisor at the Kearns Center, is one of the course instructors. She says the class helps students realize they belong in the same classroom糖心传媒攁nd on the same campus糖心传媒攁s peers from diverse backgrounds and economic statuses.

糖心传媒淏y taking this course, students get a chance to build a sense of belonging and confidence in their academic abilities,糖心传媒� Dunham says. 糖心传媒淚t糖心传媒檚 designed to address the unique challenges and experiences that first-gen students face糖心传媒攕uch as money, lack of family experience with higher education, and the pressure to succeed with limited role models糖心传媒攚hile promoting mutual understanding among students from different backgrounds.糖心传媒�

An extended network for first-generation students and alumni

The University糖心传媒檚 First-Generation Network was launched in June 2021 and serves as an inclusive support platform for first-generation alumni, students, families, friends, and supporters. It offers mentorship, networking, and community-building opportunities.

糖心传媒淐ountless first-generation alumni mentioned the need for a space and group to share their first-hand accounts of navigating their time at Rochester,糖心传媒� says Claudia De Leon, associate director of affinity networks and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. 糖心传媒淎lthough they came from diverse backgrounds, one thing held true: there were things they just 诲颈诲苍糖心传媒檛 know how to do, or who to go to, and they wished they had others they could count on for mentorship and guidance. Things like how to secure a research or internship opportunity, understanding FAFSA, along with the weight糖心传媒攃onflicting feelings of guilt, pride, and a sense of responsibility糖心传媒攐f being the first in their families to attend college.糖心传媒�

The network currently includes nearly 300 members and is cochaired by Doug Austin 糖心传媒�98, 糖心传媒�04S (MBA), Jessica Colorado 糖心传媒�12, 糖心传媒�20W (MS), and Celeste Glasgow Ribbins 糖心传媒�91.

糖心传媒淚 went to an alumni event in New York City after just graduating and never felt like more of an outsider. I 诲颈诲苍糖心传媒檛 know anyone,糖心传媒� Colorado says. 糖心传媒淏ut having an affinity network like First-Generation Network is identity-based. When we hold social events, students and alumni will know they are in a room with others who have similar experiences. It dismantles that barrier.糖心传媒�

Support services across campuses

In 2020, the University expanded support for low-income, first-generation students聽 after receiving a five-year, $1.3 million grant from the US Department of Education to support additional academic advising services and other enrichment activities.

As part of its new strategic plan, , the University also recently created the new position of vice president for student life, reflecting a robust commitment to the student experience. John Blackshear began in the role on January 1, 2024.

In addition to the Kearns Center and the First-Generation Network, other resources are available to aid first-generation students on their academic journeys across Rochester糖心传媒檚 campuses. These include:

• The Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA), the official academic home of all historically underrepresented minority undergraduates at the College, which includes many first-generation students. It uses advocacy, holistic advising, education, and collaboration with campus units to better the student experience.
• The 聽website features聽 that shares resources, events, blog posts, and campus support services. The center also collaborates with the Kearns Center and OMSA on its annual resume 糖心传媒渄rive-thru,糖心传媒� and with the Kearns Center for the annual Industry and Research Networking Night during First-Gen Celebration Week in November, where first-generation alumni network with current students. The Greene Center has a first-generation student engagement average of nearly 600 unique students over the past four years.

• Parent and Family Relations, which provides support and assists in orienting parents and families of undergraduate students on the River Campus to the college experience.

• The offices of and Financial Aid, which offer special workshops for first-generation prospective students, families, and advocates to help understand the college process. They also partner with hundreds of nonprofit community-based organizations across the nation and world whose mission is to increase college opportunities for first generation students. And through its , the offices fund campus visits for high school seniors from diverse backgrounds who aren糖心传媒檛 financially able to visit Rochester. In November 2023, 70 students received free travel to and from Rochester, took part in two days of specialized programming, and stayed overnight with a current Rochester student in a residence hall.

• The , which offers individualized meetings with parents and families of all backgrounds as well as tours and online workshops to aid in the admissions process.
• The , which celebrates, encourages, and promotes first-generation student success, and puts a spotlight on family. 聽The committee has focused on building community and fostering a sense of belonging through programming and initiatives, including the First-Generation Students and Families Welcome for incoming first-year/transfer students and their families, a Commencement celebration, and the .
• The , a student organization created in 2018 by Pech Chhun 糖心传媒�19, who moved from Cambodia to Rochester at age eight. 糖心传媒淢y immigrant status made me particularly sensitive to the nuances of being different, and when I got to college, I was keenly aware of my distinctions as a first-generation student,糖心传媒� Chhun says. 糖心传媒淭he 1st Gen Society emerged from the universal condition of wanting to be accepted and belong.糖心传媒� Hanan Allen, assistant director of , serves as advisor and Winifred Dorlean 糖心传媒�24 is president.

A clinical psychology and biology double major at Rochester, Chhun earned a master糖心传媒檚 degree in education studies and leadership in technology integration at Johns Hopkins University in 2022. He now works as a training and development specialist at San Diego Youth Services, a nonprofit organization that supports homeless youth. The 1st Gen Society remains vibrant five years later, with about 340 University undergraduates registered members.聽Chhun remains involved with his alma mater as a member of the First Generation Network committee.

An investment in the future

Alexander says many first-generation students shun college for two main reasons: imposter syndrome and financial worries.

糖心传媒淎 lot of them wonder, 糖心传媒楢m I really qualified to do this? Do I belong on a campus with all these other students who know how to navigate college?糖心传媒� And the answer is 糖心传媒榶es.糖心传媒� They糖心传媒檙e totally deserving to be here. And everybody faces some sort of doubt and struggle.糖心传媒�

Fear of debt is another factor. A showed that first-generation students have lower incomes and less wealth, on average, after graduation than peers who have at least one parent with a college degree. Nonetheless, Alexander maintains that education is the key that unlocks the door to socioeconomic mobility.

糖心传媒淵ou hear people say, 糖心传媒楥ollege isn糖心传媒檛 worth it, or 糖心传媒榯he return on investment isn糖心传媒檛 what it used to be,糖心传媒櫶切拇�媒� Alexander says. 糖心传媒淵es, you can work in an Amazon warehouse straight out of high school and make $30,000 or $40,000 a year. But your salary trajectory over time is going to stay relatively flat. For a college graduate, especially from a selective school like Rochester, they might be taking on debt (through student loans) and delaying the start of work. But by the time they糖心传媒檙e 40 or 50, there糖心传媒檚 an extraordinary compounding differential in terms of income. I wouldn糖心传媒檛 have been able to get my bachelor糖心传媒檚, master糖心传媒檚, or doctorate without the federal loan programs.糖心传媒�

Alexander notes that most people think nothing of taking on a large loan to finance a new car. 糖心传媒淵et as soon as you drive it off the lot, it糖心传媒檚 worth much less than it was a few seconds ago,糖心传媒� he says. 糖心传媒淎nd it continues to depreciate over time.糖心传媒�

By contrast, he says, a college degree generally only increases in value over time. 糖心传媒淚n that sense, it糖心传媒檚 an incredible return on investment, helping college graduates build successful careers and lead fulfilling lives.糖心传媒�

Advice from first-generation students

With more than 300 active members, the is an undergraduate student organization created in 2018 by Pech Chhun 糖心传媒�19. Read tips and takeaways from some current members, with their areas of study in parentheses.

Emmanuel Ahishakiye 糖心传媒�27 (computer science, business)
Kigali, Rwanda

糖心传媒淣avigating imposter syndrome was a formidable challenge, but engaging in insightful dialogues with faculty and peers revealed more opportunities and a robust support network糖心传媒攁 strong family that transformed my journey. As a first-gen student, I bear the substantial responsibility of being a valuable resource for both my family and the community, making a meaningful impact. Indeed, the sky is the limit!”

Earl Bumagat 糖心传媒�26 (digital media studies)
Los Angeles, California

“Though there are some bumps in the road, it糖心传媒檚 important to keep a persevering, curious, and open-minded mindset to get through those obstacles, realizing that failure is okay and is actually beneficial toward a better road ahead.”

Jacky Chen 糖心传媒�26 (biochemistry)
New York City, New York

糖心传媒淚 strongly believe that every student is capable of thriving when they糖心传媒檙e connected with the right resources and people. Put yourself out there. Connecting with like-minded peers and finding an upper-year mentor would help tremendously, especially the first few months of college. Hearing and reflecting on other people糖心传媒檚 perspectives and experiences can really inform you about how you might want to approach your own college experience and beyond!糖心传媒�

Winifred Dorlean 糖心传媒�24 (chemistry)
Austin, Texas

糖心传媒淚n recognizing my potential, student clubs like the , MAPS, and exposed me to other first-gen students who came from similar backgrounds or had similar career interests as I did. The first-generation community at Rochester is incredibly ambitious, motivated, and dedicated to changing their narrative, while also creating a table for themselves to feast at.糖心传媒�

Alicia Markovich 糖心传媒�27 (linguistics)
Fairmont City, Illinois

糖心传媒淎s a first-gen student here on campus, it’s been a bit of a struggle adjusting to being on my own, having to manage my courses, and it was difficult finding people who have similar experiences as me or someone to help answer my questions regarding the entire college process. I was just looking in the [wrong?] places, though! My advisor, my UHS mentor, and even just the emails from the 1st Gen Society have given me so many resources to plan my years, choose a career I love, and manage my time here! The events they hold are also super fun and helped me find students to connect with that are also first-gen! I really appreciate everyone on campus who makes resources readily available to students like me.糖心传媒�

Jordan Martin 糖心传媒�25 (statistics, financial economics)
Syracuse, New York

糖心传媒淩ochester very quickly became one of my top schools during my college search in high school because on top of the great academics and opportunities offered, they really emphasized their care for first-generation students. I learned about the Kearns Scholars program as soon as I arrived. I am fortunate to have a Kearns advisor (Jazmin Dunham) who helped me out tremendously when it came to navigating my classes, changing my major, and reassuring me that I am right where I need to be. Rochester has helped me become proud to be a first-generation student even with the hardships I have faced and continue to celebrate our achievements as being the first in our families to go to college.糖心传媒�

Yessica Yireh Arvizu Martinez 糖心传媒�24 (psychology)
Mexicali, Mexico

糖心传媒淏eing an adult student during my undergraduate education has not been easy. Many times, I have felt out of place and doubted my abilities, either because I am a first-gen and had little guidance, or because I am also a transfer student. It has not been easy to be far from home and my family during my transition into adulthood, struggling with mental health and financial difficulties. However, in Rochester I have found many kind people, beginning from the that introduced me to my first friends. Having cultural diversity at school has helped me feel welcome and included.糖心传媒�

Lexxi Reiter 糖心传媒�25 (molecular genetics)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

糖心传媒淣ew students should actively seek out and build a relationship with all their advisors as soon as possible. You will talk to these people the most and build a strong bond with them throughout your college career. Secondly, learn to balance fun, school, and work. Your academics should always be your priority over work or fun, no matter what anyone else may tell you. Enjoy your years at school and work hard!糖心传媒�