Forging a First-Gen Future
Liberal Arts alumna Chelsie Rimel ’15 Economics recounts her first-generation student experience at Penn State, providing relatable advice for current first-generation students forging their own futures and navigating similar challenges. Chelsie’s talk is followed by an interactive Q&A discussion moderated by Department of Communication Arts and Sciences first-gen faculty member Lisa Silvestri-Wehr.
If you couldn’t attend in person, watch the recording on Instagram.
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Sierra Auman (First-year, English)
“Being a first-generation student, I spend a lot of my time thinking I have to do everything alone. I struggle to find comfort in asking people for help, especially anyone in my family because they never went to college. As my first semester goes on, I’m learning that it’s okay to ask people for help, even though I’m the first generation in my family to attend college. Specifically for me, my first-year seminar has been extremely helpful in making me feel welcome and supported here at Penn State.”
Shadae Lovelace (First-year, Criminology)
“Being a first-generation student is more than breaking stereotypes and fulfilling my ancestors’ wildest dreams. It’s seeing my mom’s eyes fill with tears of joy when she sees me accomplishing what she could’ve only hoped for. Being first-generation is a learning process that you often go through alone, but it can be so fulfilling when you know you’re where you belong.”
Julius Ludena (English)
“My parents divorced when I was 10; they were legal residents in the United States back in 1998 when I graduated high school. Working just to keep a roof over my sister and I’s head and food on the table for us to eat. I had earned good enough grades to get into University of California, Davis; however, my dad couldn’t afford the loans. So, at 26 years old, I enlisted into the U.S. Marines. After being honorably discharged, I had earned my Post-9/11 G.I. Bill to pay for my college tuition. As a first-generation college student I am proud to say that I am a Penn State class of 2021 associate degree graduate. I’m currently working on my bachelor of arts degree in English with a minor in Film Studies. My next goal after earning my bachelor’s degree will be to apply to law school and study corporate law. Make a plan, stay organized, and achieve your goals!”
Kaitlin Pasternak (Third-year, History)
“Being a first-generation student, especially thriving in such a large campus community as Penn State is an accomplishment that I, as well as my family, are extremely proud of. We Are!”
Michael Garza (Second-year, Criminology and Sociology)
“Being a first-generation college student means that I am not only here for myself, but I am here for my family and everyone in my family who has never had the privilege to attend college. Graduating from Penn State will open doors for me and those around me in ways that I never knew were possible.”
Nicole Pinto (Fourth-year, Criminology)
“Navigating Penn State as a first-generation college student has been a journey. Being a first-gen student has been one of the biggest challenges in my life. From navigating my new surroundings, juggling multiple classes and finding my place here at Penn State. There is no how-to guide, but without the help of my fellow peers and leaders, I would not be in the place I am today. College is not built with ease for first-gen students, but we were made to experience this. Putting yourself out there and building a life outside of just attending classes can allow you to meet others just like you and grow into the leader you can be.”
Jennifer Chen (Doctoral Student, Anthropology and Climate Science)
“I will never forget the feeling of receiving my acceptance letter to one of Penn State’s top programs fully funded. I called my parents immediately after receiving the acceptance letter and we both cried over the phone. Not only am I the first in my family to have earned my bachelor’s degree, but I’ll also be the first in my family to receive my doctorate in anthropology and climate science. With my degrees, I want to be able to make higher education accessible and easy to navigate for other first-generation students by going into academia and providing guidance and mentorship. You can make it big as a first-gen student; perseverance and resilience are key!”
Anthony Bertelli, Sherwin-Whitmore Professor of Liberal Arts and Professor of Public Policy and Political Science
“When I first thought I might pursue an academic career, I asked a professor for a letter of reference to doctoral programs. His father had been a well-known academic in his own right. He asked where I was applying, and when I told him about a few of the more elite places on my list, he looked at me and said: ‘You know, apples don’t fall very far from the tree.’ I was wounded by that. In error, I took some schools off my list. Making sense of such experiences over the years has taught me resilience and to believe in myself and my capabilities to do even more new and difficult things. It also taught me never to behave as my professor did thirty years ago. First-generation students are not a cliché. We are the future.”
Jake Holland-Lulewicz, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
“I didn’t know how much I didn’t know about universities while I was in college. As a first-generation college student, it didn’t even occur to me that other students would have parents who went to college! It was surprising and at times isolating. I didn’t realize that being a first-gen student would come with unique challenges. This means that as a professor, I am deeply committed to revealing the ‘hidden curriculum’ to other first-gen students who didn’t have it passed down to them, and to offering support as they navigate their academic careers and relationships.”
Patty Klug, Director of the Chaiken Center for Student Success
“When I think of the themes of my first-generation story, it would be both about not seeking out all the opportunities available on campus and underestimating myself. I wish I would have connected more with mentors, advisers, and professors to get more of an idea of how I should combine my strengths and interests for future academic and professional goals. I found my way, but I did it the harder way with unnecessary self-doubt. I slowly learned how capable and competent I was, even though I know others saw that all along. Building a team of people who can help you see your possibilities and potential is very important and as a first-generation student, that often needs to be more intentional as it is not automatically in place. If I could give advice to other first-generation students it would be to lean into those who are leaning into you.”