FirstGenFM

Send us Fan Mail What drives a first-generation college student to not only enroll but thrive? Join us on First Gen FM as we shine a spotlight on the inspiring stories of Dr. Martina Martin, Catherine Johnson, Ashlee Kocina Young, Wendy Beesley, and Dr. Jennifer Sutton from First Gen Forward. Guests share their personal journey of either discovering her own first-gen identity, and the beliefs that...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a first-generation college graduate transforms her experiences into a powerful memoir? Dr. La'Tonya "LT" Rease Miles joins me on FirstGen FM to share how a simple conversation with her daughter Zoe and an inspiring interview with Erica Alfaro sparked the creation of her memoir, "Smart Girl." LT describes how writing allowed her to reflect...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa Rivera, the  director of First Generation Student Initiatives at Suffolk University, joins us to share her journey from being a first-gen student in Florida to making her mark in higher education. Listen as Lisa recounts how the AVID program and her mentor, Ms. Dennison, were pivotal in her path to Allegheny College. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of men...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I share a few takeaways on post-election landscape with insights from Ted Mitchell and Michelle Asher Cooper from a recent webinar: Post-Election Outlook: What to Watch in Higher Education . I talk about what I heard from these experts from the American Council on Education and the Lumina Foundation, and the potential impact of the new Republican administration. T...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a conversation with Mike Wysocki, a first-generation graduate,  who reveals how he turned hurdles into stepping stones on his journey to success. From a working-class suburb of Boston to the broader horizons of UMass Amherst, Mike candidly shares how a change in major from engineering to sociology opened unexpected doors. He talks about the critical role of attitude an...

Send us Fan Mail Let's talk about the strengths first-generation students bring to campus based on a research article and an ASHE research presentation. Join me, Jen Schoen, as we challenge the deficit narrative and uncover the  qualities that these students contribute to higher education. As part of First-Generation Student Celebration Week, I draw from two articles and the principles of pos...

Send us Fan Mail Discover three secrets to finding scholarships tailored for first-generation students that are ready for our students to use. Join me, Jen Schoen, as I share tools like College Greenlight and Scholarship Owl to discover opportunities that fit student's background and aspirations. We'll talk about asking for help from teachers, advisors, and counselors, and finding the tr...

Send us Fan Mail Brianna Logan's journey from her parents' Caribbean roots to becoming a successful CEO is inspiring. In our latest episode, Brianna, a first-generation college graduate, shares her personal story of overcoming challenges and finding her path in the professional world. Her experience navigating college and her career without a clear roadmap highlights the power of mentors...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the journey of Selena Meints, the First Generation Initiatives Coordinator at the University of Missouri, as she shares her story from being a first-generation college student to leading a first-gen initiative on campus. Selena shares her journey navigating the college experience without a traditional support system, which ignited her passion for supporting other first-ge...

Send us Fan Mail First-generation students have unique needs as they navigate their transition from college to their first professional career. Join me as I chat with Cesar Margarito, whose transformative journey from a small Mexican town to working on his a doctoral degree at the University of Southern California sheds light on the experiences of first-generation professionals. Cesar's passi...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about the unique hurdles first-generation graduate students face and solutions to support them? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jennifer Stripe Portillo, Dean of Student Success and Title IX Coordinator at the Chicago School. Jennifer opens up about her own journey as a first-gen college student and shares how it's inspired her to create impactful progra...

Send us Fan Mail Here's the link to register: https://tinyurl.com/FG4Kamala   October 1, 2024 from 8:00pm - 9:30pmET, First-Gens for Kamala Note that there will be speakers from the first-gen community - authors, CEOs, Non-profit founders - as panelists but Vice President Kamala Harris herself is not expected. From event organizer Dr. Sara E Whitley and emcee La'Tonya "LT" Reas...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we explore the increasing presence of first-gen narratives in popular culture and question whether this trend stems from educators' growing interest or a genuine rise in such stories. From "A Different World" to "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," we dissect how these shows tackle themes of belonging and equity. Dr. Winfield provides insightful examp...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to enriching our educational system lies in a group that's often overlooked? Discover why first-generation college students are crucial to the lifeblood of higher education in my latest solo episode. I'll take you through three compelling data points that highlight the massive presence of first-gen students in U.S. colleges—over half of undergraduates! Ye...

Send us Fan Mail Discover Northeastern University's commitment to First Gen students in the latest First Gen FM podcast episode. Join me, Jen, as I journey solo this week, pulling back the curtain on the scholarship selection process, particularly focusing on the Torch Scholars Program.  This week's episode shares stories and insights, as I recount the moments from our pre-interview tech...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of the College Prep Scholars (CPS) program with Dr. Christian Martell from Questbridge. We zoom in on CPS and its role as a stepping stone for high-achieving, low-income, high school juniors aiming for the Questbridge National College Match. Learn about the program's history, its application process, and the unparalleled strategic advantages it offers.  Dr....

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever considered every turn in your path as a stepping stone towards your true calling? Dr. Ashanti Chunn, our guest from Tennessee State University, shares her compelling switch from biology to education and how it fueled her passion for mentoring first-generation college students through the transformative  You FIRST Project. Join us on First Gen FM, where we discuss sto...

Send us Fan Mail What does it feel like to navigate the world of academia as a first-generation and working class graduate student? This week, I had the privilege of exploring this question with Lauren Harvey, a current PhD student at Rice University. With personal experiences and a wealth of insights brimming from her own journey, Lauren doesn't hold back as she delves into the challenges, t...

Send us Fan Mail Join Julie Carballo, the assistant dean of students for first-generation and military affiliated initiatives at North Central College, and me for an enlightening journey as we explore the Cardinal First program. Julie's not just an advocate, but a beacon of hope for first-generation college students, guiding them through the labyrinth of higher education with her Cardinal Fir...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to truly empower first-generation college students? Denise El Habach, a fierce advocate and a Gear Up Coach at Youngker High School, Buckeye, Arizona, has some answers that might surprise you. With an insider's perspective, Denise takes us on a journey into the inspiring and challenging world of working with first-generation college-bound students....

Send us Fan Mail Meet Zach Desjardins, a first-generation student turned holistic academic advisor at the University of Albany. His story, from almost losing his college dreams due to financial aid errors to finding his way through with the Upward Bound program, is the embodiment of resilience, determination, and dedication.  In our engaging conversation, we explore the quintessential role of supp...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to be a first-generation student of color in a predominantly white institution? Gregory Saint-Dick, diversity advocate and the director for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins us to shed light on his personal journey in higher education. Gregory gives us a glimpse into his world of advocating for first-gen...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an exhilarating journey as we welcome D'ric Jackson, a first-generation college student turned advocate, who is reshaping the narrative around higher education. With a background inspired by the '90s Spider-Man series and a dedication to psychology, Derek's unique lens turns an often daunting experience into a thrilling adventure, a superpower even. He...

Send us Fan Mail Yvonne Green works in the Broward County Schools and shares her work with the BRACE Cadets, a group of students who are selected, receive training, and then create projects to share information about going to college and paying for it. We talk abut the primary and secondary gains these mentors get from the program, and the impact of the program in the Broward Schools. We also talk...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Matt Newlin and I talk about his role consulting with college campuses about creating successful systems for first-generation, rural, and low-income students. We spend time talking about Matt's journey to and through college, move into a conversation about debt management and financial literacy, and then helping faculty understand what it means when we talk about s...