The First in her Family
Joycelyn Rivas Appreciates First-Gen Support
By Jacquelin Janis 鈥20G
Relatively few students from Joycelyn Rivas鈥 high school went to college, and it wasn鈥檛 clear that she would. Her parents didn鈥檛 complete high school. Rivas wanted to further her education, knowing it was important to becoming successful later in life.
Rivas, majoring in psychology with a minor in neuropsychology, is benefiting from a new initiative to support first-generation students. 聽聽聽
Navigating the complicated FAFSA financial aid form, dealing with roommates, knowing how to dress for class, and appropriately answering emails from professors can all be challenges for first-generation students, more so than for peers with college-experienced families.
鈥淢ore than 14% of undergraduate students at Nazareth identify as being first-generation,鈥 says Rene Fuehrer, coordinator of First Generation Student Initiatives and a counselor for Student Access and Achievement programs. 鈥淲e saw this as an opportunity to provide intentional support to this growing population. We understand some of the unique challenges that first-gen students may experience and we鈥檙e providing them with resources and support.鈥
Counselor can relate
As a first-gen student herself, Fuehrer can relate to the needs. 鈥淲hen I was an undergraduate student, I tried to navigate college on my own and was too embarrassed to ask for help. I wish I took the initiative to connect with staff and faculty.鈥
Nazareth鈥檚 new initiative under Culture, Community, and Belonging offers individual counseling to address students鈥 needs and workshops on topics that can be challenging for students to navigate alone. The program has been promoted with First to Fly gatherings to celebrate and support first-gen students.
Rivas says:
- Her parents have been supportive through pep talks and learning how to navigate new territory together. 鈥淢y dad has always been my biggest cheerleader even when things seemed out of focus for me,鈥 says Rivas.
- Fuehrer has helped both academically and emotionally. 鈥淪he鈥檚 been an anchor for me when I felt like I was kinda drifting away,鈥 says Rivas. Fuehrer, who has been working with Joycelyn since she was a first-year student, says, 鈥淔irst-gen students have a lot to offer the Nazareth community. I have found first-gen students to be hard-working, ambitious, and independent. They truly are a joy to work with!鈥
- Rivas adds that the campus community has been welcoming. 鈥淪ometimes support isn鈥檛 always walking you through things step by step, but it鈥檚 just a friendly face.鈥 聽聽聽
A need to prove yourself
Rivas is determined to complete her degree. 鈥淭here is something inside me that makes me feel like I need to prove myself. Failing for me is not an option. Being first generation means that if I were to begin, and not finish, not only am I letting myself down but I鈥檓 also showing my younger sister that it鈥檚 okay to give in when things get tough. I鈥檓 setting the tone for her journey into higher education and that鈥檚 something that I take very seriously.鈥
What it means to be a first-gen student
Rivas' view: 鈥淭o me, being first generation means being willing to embrace the uncomfortable and find peace in your journey.鈥
Words of advice
鈥淵ou鈥檙e not as alone as you think you are,鈥 says Rivas. If you鈥檙e feeling overwhelmed in school, look around and see there are others struggling. There are so many people at Naz ready to help, she added. Take advantage of the support.
Update
Rivas graduated from Naz in 2020.
Update
After completing her bachelor's degree, Rivas went on to graduate school.
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Undergraduate first-generation students
Definition
At Nazareth, a student is identified as a first-generation college student if neither parent or guardian earned a bachelor's degree.