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More handpicked essays just for you.
Challenges faced by first generation college students
Challenges faced by first generation college students
Challenges faced by first generation college students
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I write to you, a letter of my deep humility and authentic nomination for Maria Creasey-Baldwin. In recommending an exceptional advisor and counselor for the Philip and Miriam Perlman Award, Maria comes to mind most immediately. As an Academic Advisor for the Trio Programs, Maria has long exemplified a level of commitment to enhancing student success and diversity at the University of Utah. In 1998, Maria became an Upward Bound Advisor to high school students, a role she has served in until 2009. In 2010, Maria became an Academic Advisor for the Student Support Services for college students, which she is serving in now. All while serving as an extraordinary mentor and emotional support provider to all low-income, minority, and first generation college students. …show more content…
I met Maria in high school through Upward Bound and I would not be a student at the University of Utah today without her support through Student Support Services. Maria has not only supported me, but she has also helped five of my siblings enter college and has helped three of them graduate. As low-income and first-generation college students, my siblings and I did not know if attending college was possible, let alone know how to navigate it. Maria has actively been involved in the lives of the students she advises. Her involvement in her students’ lives and her understanding of their struggles helps her appropriately support and direct students to the right resources. As a business major, I have my own college advisor. Despite having my own advisor, I still feel more comfortable receiving advise from Maria. When I find myself struggling, Maria figures out the underlying reasons why and provides me with support and encouragement to push
What those student did actually changed the policy and made it easier for families to afford college without heavy loans. This showed others that activists can make a difference, something she presses on in this
It is a great honor to write a letter of recommendation for Alejandra Galaviz. I have known Alejandra for three years in an academic setting. She was one of my finest Spanish students three years ago and she always motivated other students to succeed as well. She has been my most trusted teacher’s assistant for the last two years. She is one of the most mature, helpful, reliable and trustworthy students I have taught in my 12 years of public teaching.
However, my dedication to my education and my diverse experiences in my youth are what have allowed me to overcome systematic barriers and get accepted to UCLA. The world I come from has not only propelled me get to college, but has shaped my understanding of the inequities and injustices of America’s educational system. I realize how socioeconomic status can hinder the capabilities of people because knowledge, opportunities, support, resources, and guidance are not always available to those who come from underserved communities.
How does being the first in one’s family to graduate from college impact one’s desire to finish college? Some of the major barriers first generation college students face include lack of motivation, lack of support, and low income finances. Some freshman students might lack the motivation to do well in school because of the lack of appropriate role models or mentors in the academic environment. These difficulties can be tied to lack of support at home; the parents might not be concerned about their child's education, maybe the parent lacks the ability to guide them through college, the parent might not have the process of having not navigated it themselves. Parents might feel embarrassed that they don’t have any knowledge to help them through college.
First generation college students are students who comprise a distinct minority within most institutions of higher learning. These groups of students are the first generation of students in their family lineage to attend a college or university (Allwood, 1966). Due to the lack of family guidance in navigating through the college experience, first generation students face an array of obstacles upon entering the realm of higher education. These students are less likely to obtain their bachelor degree due to finance, family support and retention, all which ultimately limit their college experience. Not only do these students experience issues migrating through high school into college, they also lack the necessary resources some students need to achieve higher standards. For instance financial assistance, mentorship, and other motivating factors that can help a student grow into a professional.
This letter is to recommend, Ms. Marissa Korte, for your Rhodes, Marshall, and/or Mitchell Scholarships
She has not allowed the physical distance that separates her from UCLA to limit her engagement. Over the years Stephanie has served the Alumni Association in many roles, chairing district, regional and state committees for the Freshman Scholarship Program, district chair of the Community College Program, president of the Bay Area Bruins, and Alumni Association Board Member. Stephanie has consistently and substantially demonstrated an ability and willingness to work positively, respectfully, and effectively with others in a way that fosters collaboration, communication, and cooperation among colleagues and members of the Bruin community. Stephanie has an established track record of serving in leadership roles in a variety of volunteer activities for UCLA in a way that focuses on improving the quality of the UCLA experience for both
In High School I had a friend who’s story really touch me. With our bond , she was able to trust me and to share her story with me. Lesly is a young girl who came from Guatemala to Washington, D.C at a young age. When she came here she had a dream like many us. She dream that one day she will go to High School and graduate and make her way to college. Unfortunately, every things change when she found out that her status will not allow her to pursue her college education after High School. She dropout from High
As a resident Assistant, I developed and coordinated programs aimed at helping students access resources and maximize their opportunities. My residents were equipped with tools and strategies to help them combat issues as they arise. This experience propelled me to later serve as a Graduation Advisor, where I mentored and advised five graduating seniors. I assisted each student with completing their college and financial aid applications. I planned programs geared towards promoting independent living and
Creating true economic opportunity through higher education requires promoting and preparing women, especially single mothers, for careers in STEM and traditionally male-dominated fields (Nelson, Froehner, & Gault, 2013). By counseling student mothers to pursue these fields in which they are underrepresented, it will facilitate single-mother student success. Counselors should also provide single-mother students with concrete guidance that is more relevant to their daily lives; i.e. campus resources, public assistance, book vouchers, child-friendly meal plans, etc. (Cerven, Park, Nations, & Nielsen,
Education however can be very difficult for people to have or achieve. Many people do not have enough money for college tuition. “83% of Americans say they can not afford college tuition”(Levaux,1). Some students do attend college, but won’t be able to pay off student loans. As a Hispanic high school student
After reading this passage it has reinforced my decision to become a student here at Hollins University. Hollins has always provided a nurturing, positive environment in which women can learn and excel. Parallels can be drawn between the group of writers in the 60’s and the “Horizon” program of today. Both programs received support and encouragement by Hollins. To help the graduates to excel and become successful women.
This is a substantial piece of the student body that may, at times need some additional support to overcome everyday barriers. Being a student parent makes it more likely for a student to leave college without a degree (Thorman Ph. D., Otto, & Gunn- Wright, 2012). Student parents work 29.2 hours on average a week, while children spend 30 hours in childcare (Thorman Ph. D., Otto, & Gunn- Wright, 2012). One of the barriers that student parents encounter is feeling unwelcomed and unsupported on campus (Nelson, Froehner, & Gault Ph.D., 2013). Some colleges are starting to realize the need for student parent resources to be offered on campus and have started to integrate childcare, family housing, referrals, and scholarship programs (Thorman Ph. D., Otto, & Gunn- Wright,
For example, my best friend occasionally went to the boys and girl club after school. She explained to me, the staff was strict on their homework and the club also had study sessions. She also had a mentor to teach her the importance of a resume, cover letter and to become an intelligent woman. Lastly, she had a counselor from tidewater that talked with her about issues that could hold her back from succeeding. She had helped not only to keep her studies on track, but she had helped to keep emotions from affecting her life.
We walk by many people everyday and might not know the struggle they might be going through. Walking by the homeless as if they are not there, but we might not recollect that they are human too. One thing society might not think about when seeing a person who is “homeless,” is that they could potentially be a college student focused on getting an education. In the article, “Hungry, Homeless and in College,” by authors Sarah Goldrick- Rab and Katharine Broton, they thoroughly explains that college students are struggling due to extreme expenses, but they fail to clarify the ways to help the students with the cost of college.