DEIAJ Resources: First-Generation Student Celebration

Norma, Joseph, Luz, and Mijin are all first-generation college graduates that began the podcast How to College: First Gen in an effort to democratize education and information. As first-gens that have experienced the process of going to and through college, they are delighted to be able to share some of the insight and lessons learned along the way. This podcast was created to bring you the conversations that they know they could have benefited from during each stage of their lives. In this podcast your hosts will chat with first generation students about their journeys and try to give listeners actionable advice and the know-how to navigate what can often be a new, confusing, and challenging process. You will hear from high schoolers exploring the college admissions process, college students tackling the challenges of being among the first in their families to get to college, graduates that are opening the doors to opportunities a college degree can provide, and parents of first gens that may be worried about what this all means.

Dr. Jacquelyn Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention, is host of a new series of podcasts aimed at first generation college students in the College of Education. The series, FirstGenMe, covers a variety of topics useful to all students and features guest interviews with faculty and staff from the College of Education. “As a first-generation college graduate, it was important to me that our students learn from the stories of other first-generation college graduates who have blazed the path they are now taking,” said Dr. Thomas-Miller. “It is with hope that the stories shared throughout each podcast will bring inspiration and an impactful power in knowing that, although the path to graduation may have its challenges, the end is achievable and attainable.”