Category: F1RST-Gen Friday

This week for F1RST-Gen Friday, Alondra Aguilera — a Wichita native, preK-12 Spanish education major and minoring in music — shares her story of being first-gen.

• How does it feel to be the first member of your family to attend college?
  “Being the first person in my family to go to college can be hard, especially because my parents had to immigrate here from México. I have had to figure out how to navigate college on my own. I also am the eldest daughter, which also has made it difficult as there hasn’t really been anyone else to guide me through the process of getting into college. If it hadn’t been for campus resources and programs, especially the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s Passage 2 Success and Latinos Lead, I would have had a harder time with my transition into college.”
• What piece of advice would you share with incoming first-gen college students?
  “Having a support system is essential to help you get through the rough times. Talking to other students, faculty and staff can help you network and get resources to succeed in college.”
• Any advice you would share with the campus community working with first-gen students?
  “I would ask WSU to explain to students the processes for financial aid and documentation processes while transitioning into college. They can improve this by using language that is accessible to everyone. This would help those who are the first in their families to attend college. They can also explain how college works to our families who may not understand. Providing information to students in multiple languages could also help parents who speak other languages become involved in their Shockers’ education.”
• What do you hope to do after you graduate from Wichita State?
  “I hope to become a Spanish Teacher in a public school district and possibly pursue higher education later in life.”

F1RST Gen Shockers promotes initiatives for first-generation students to ensure their success and seeks to build a culture of awareness and celebration for first-gen students at Wichita State.

Know of a campus community member who is first-gen who you think should be featured? Email your ideas to F1RST Gen Shockers at FGShockers@wichita.edu.

This week for F1RST-Gen Friday, Gina Crabtree — university registrar and director of Enrollment Services — shares her story of being first-gen.

• How has your first-gen experience inspired you?
  “While I remember wishing my parents had more understanding of the issues I faced when selecting and attending college, only hindsight helped me to fully recognize the difficulties and disadvantages of my first-gen experience. You don’t know what you don’t know. I’m proud to be part of a university community that is working to address the barriers many first-gen students face.”

F1RST Gen Shockers promotes initiatives for first-generation students to ensure their success and seeks to build a culture of awareness and celebration for first-gen students at Wichita State.

Know of a campus community member who is first-gen who you think should be featured? Email your ideas to F1RST Gen Shockers at FGShockers@wichita.edu.

Focus on first-gen: This week we highlight Gina Crabtree, university registrar and director of Enrollment Services.

• How has your first-gen experience inspired you?
  While I remember wishing my parents had more understanding of the issues I faced when selecting and attending college, only hindsight helped me to fully recognize the difficulties and disadvantages of my first-gen experience. You don’t know what you don’t know. I’m proud to be part of a university community that is working to address the barriers many first-gen students face!
• Sign up to join the First-Gen Affinity Shockers (FGAS)—This group is designed to foster a community of first-generation professionals, build a group that offers professional development and networking opportunities. It’s also meant to foster an environment where common experiences can be shared, while addressing the needs of first-gen professionals at Wichita State University.

Focus on first-gen: This week we highlight Alondra Aguilera, PreK-12 Spanish Education major, minor in music.

• How does it feel to be the first member of your family to attend college?
  Being the first person in my family to go to college can be hard, especially because my parents had to immigrate here from México. I have had to figure out how to navigate college on my own. I also am the eldest daughter, which also has made it difficult as there hasn’t really been anyone else to guide me through the process of getting into college. If it hadn’t been for campus resources and programs, especially the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s Passage 2 Success and Latinos Lead, I would have had a harder time with my transition into college.
• What piece of advice would you share with an incoming first-generation college student?
  Having a support system is essential to help you get through the rough times. Talking to other students, faculty and staff can help you network and get resources to succeed in college.
• Any advice you would share with Wichita State when working with first-generation students?
  I would ask WSU to explain to students the processes for financial aid and documentation processes while transitioning into college. They can improve this by using language that is accessible to everyone. This would help those who are the first in their families to attend college. They can also explain how college works to our families who may not understand. Providing information to students in multiple languages could also help parents who speak other languages become involved in their Shockers´ education.
• What do you hope to do after you graduate from Wichita State?
  I hope to become a Spanish Teacher in a public school district and possibly pursue higher education later in life.

  Signup to join the First-Gen Affinity Shockers — Designed to foster a community of first-generation professionals to build a group that offered professional development and networking opportunities where common experiences could be shared and address the needs of first-gen professionals as they navigate Wichita State University.

• Webpage:edu/services/firstgen/fg_affinity_shockers.php

Focus on first-gen: This week we highlight Aaron R. Coffey, Master of Business administration and Graduate School assistant dean.

• How has your first-gen experience inspired you?
  My experience as a first-gen helped me see how much support I can provide to those who take this step into the unknown. I knew this was an area I wanted to support from seeing how much the encouragement I gave my younger sister, a single mother of two, helped build her with confidence in completing her bachelor’s degree. I’m so happy to be the one yelling, “You can do it,” and helping students remember they know they can.
• Sign up to join the First-Gen Affinity Shockers (FGAS)—This group is designed to foster a community of first-generation professionals, build a group that offers professional development and networking opportunities. It’s also meant to foster an environment where common experiences can be shared, while addressing the needs of first-gen professionals at Wichita State University.

Focus on first-gen: This week we highlight Meghann Kuhlmann, Master of Library and Information Science, research and instructional services librarian, assistant professor, Wichita State University Libraries:

• Why does advocating for first-gen matter?
  As a first-gen student I was often afraid to ask questions when I thought everyone else already knew the answer. I’m inspired to create an environment where first-gen students feel comfortable and supported enough to know their questions are important and that people on campus are genuinely happy to help them.
• Sign up to join the First-Gen Affinity Shockers —This group is designed to foster a community of first-generation professionals, build a group that offers professional development and networking opportunities. It’s also meant to foster an environment where common experiences can be shared, while addressing the needs of first-gen professionals at Wichita State University.

• Focus on first-gen: This week we highlight Diana Carbajal, assistant director of Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP.
• Why does advocating for first-gen matter?
  With an estimated 65% of the workforce requiring education beyond a high school diploma, engaging and supporting first generation attend college has become a necessity. Investing in their success is a win for everyone as they not only benefit but they also become and asset to the community.
• Sign up to join the First-Gen Affinity Shockers (FGAS)—This group is designed to foster a community of first-generation professionals, build a group that offers professional development and networking opportunities. It’s also meant to foster an environment where common experiences can be shared, while addressing the needs of first-gen professionals at Wichita State University.

• Focus on first-gen: This week we highlight Stephanie Cockrell, assistant director of First-Year Programs, Student Success interim success coach for College of Applied Studies and College of Fine Arts.
• What does it mean to be first-gen?
  Education opens up so much opportunity and value. My family sacrificed so much to give me the chance at a different future. By graduating, I changed the path for my family and showed college was attainable.
• Sign up to join the First-Gen Affinity Shockers (FGAS)—This group is designed to foster a community of first-generation professionals, build a group that offers professional development and networking opportunities. It’s also meant to foster an environment where common experiences can be shared, while addressing the needs of first-gen professionals at Wichita State University.