I first learned about WMU from a college recruiter who visited Waukegan High School and gave a presentation for seniors preparing for life after graduation. All of the recruiters made their respective campuses sound like a wonderful place to learn, but the one thing that stood out to me about WMU was that their recruiter looked like me! That's when I knew that WMU would be the place for me. It was important that I went somewhere not too far from home, but not too close either. A school with an excellent education program and a diverse student population was important to me.
When I arrived, the campus was gorgeous, and everyone I encountered was friendly and welcoming. WMU was everything I was looking for in a college. I began that fall and embarked on an experience of growth, friendships, learning, and some unlearning that made me the successful educator I am today. As a first-generation college student, it wasn't easy navigating life away from home in another state, but many people supported me along the way. From the parking staff to instructors, they went above and beyond to help me.
The courage it took to attend WMU laid the foundation for me to pursue many other firsts in life. When I graduated from WMU, I was nine months pregnant with my now 13-year-old son. He is now college-bound and will benefit greatly from my first-generation experience. Since graduating, I have gone to obtain two advanced degrees and am a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am now the Director of Equity and Inclusion for a large public school district and an adjunct professor.
My advice to first-generation college students is don't let anything stop them from reaching their goals. Remember, you are there with a purpose, so do not be afraid to advocate for yourself and build relationships that will help you fulfill that purpose! You’ve got this!