My First Generation Story

Growing up in a small rural town in South Carolina, I have always taken academics and achievements very seriously. There has never been a time in my life where I felt as if I could not succeed. As a child, going to college was always a dream for me and soon after realizing that I would be the first family member to attend college, I was inspired to pursue my dream even more. As a first generation college student, I have many “bars” that I have to set for my family members who will also attend college. Coastal Carolina University has been a major building block for my future and will continue to be an asset in my pursuit of higher education.

My mother and father both came from rural areas with scarce educational opportunities. A high school diploma was a great achievement for them. With my mother being one of six siblings, finances to put them through school were near impossible to afford. With the support of my family, I had no other choice but to take school seriously and do my best. I made it my goal to excel in academics, not only to be successful, but also to obtain a scholarship to pay for my college education.

As a first-generation college student, unlike many other students, I started college without the advantages of knowing what I should expect. I came to Coastal Carolina University with aspirations of becoming a powerful leader on campus and to make a change in my life as well as in the lives of others around me. My determination has motivated family members and community members to attend college so that they could also make a change. My goal to earn an MBA at Coastal Carolina University is a huge aspect of reaching my ultimate goal, which is to teach and be a role model to as many people as I can. Coastal Carolina University has given me the tools to use throughout my life by exposing me to a variety of areas, academically and socially. With my family, the University has been instrumental in motivating me even when times are tough. Advisors and administrators that I have had the pleasure to meet have showed me that they truly care. This is especially true for the Office of Multicultural Student Services, especially Mrs. Patricia Singleton-Young, Ms. Bertha Fladger, and Ms. Ebony Bowden. With the help of these three dynamic administrators, I have overcome many obstacles that have come my way.

I feel that I am truly an example of how anyone can succeed if they put their minds and their hearts in everything they do. The advice I would give to first-generation students would be to never allow people to persuade them to settle for less. Education is vital in society today; because I am a college student, I encourage everyone to seek higher education.