Alan Goggins (2010)
My First Generation Story
About the Student
A resident of Fayetteville, N.C., James Alan Goggins II received his
undergraduate degree in environmental health from Western Carolina
University in May. Goggins participated in undergraduate molecular
research for vector-borne diseases, which he presented at regional and
national conferences. This fall, he begins his doctoral studies in
biomedical sciences at Tulane University, where he has received a full
scholarship. Reflecting on the obstacles he’s overcome while a
first-generation student – a rocky freshman year and his father’s death –
Goggins said he pushed forward because his family taught him that
education is the only thing no one can take from him.
Student Stats
| Name: | Alan Goggins (2010) |
| Age: | 25 |
| Year in School: | Senior |
| Major: | Environmental Health |
| Favorite Course: | Epidemiology & Medical Entomology |
| Dream Job: | Epidemic Intelligence Officer at the CDC |
About the School
WCU was founded in 1889 to bring higher education and career
opportunities to the western region of North Carolina. A member of the
University of North Carolina system, WCU now provides an education to
more than 9,000 students from 38 states and 32 countries. The
university’s mission is focused on quality education and preparation
for responsible citizenship in a changing world. Since its founding, WCU
has grown in size to become a major cultural, scientific, and
educational force in the
region and the state—and we’re still growing.