#celebratefirstgen

“My parents had always told us (my sister and I) that we were going to go to college. My parents hadn't had the support of going to college, so they wanted to support me in my journey from early childhood. I use being a first gen as motivation, because I want to be able to share my experiences with my future children. I want to be able to give them guidance and reassurance, because navigating college almost on your own is discouraging and difficult.” — Victoria Herrschaft ’25 🎓🎉🐾 #CelebrateFirstGen #HuskyPride #BloomOnward #HeyHOWLs #PreMed #ChildLife #biology (at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck1GdZ0Ob6d/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

“I use being a first-gen college student as motivation by always remembering who I’m doing this for. As a first-gen Latina student, I’m not only a role model for my family but also a role model for those young Latina girls — those who think they can't do something because of their current status. There’s not many Latina first-gen teachers, and I’m so proud to become one. It’s for me, my family, my city and my culture.” — Yubeliz Sanchez ’25 🎓🎉🐾 #CelebrateFirstGen #HuskyPride #BloomOnward #Spanish #EarlyChildhood #education #teacher (at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck1GAmYrTMx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

“I’m so thankful for being a first-generation college student, because it’s allowed me the opportunity to be a mentor and leader to those just like me, going through the same struggles I have. I’m expecting to graduate this spring for my undergrad and am continuing my education for a masters here. There’s a big community of first-gen students and that makes me even more proud to be part of it. I plan to continue giving a helping hand and some words of wisdom to those who came after me.” — Estefania Flores ’23 🎓🎉🐾 #CelebrateFirstGen #HuskyPride #BloomOnward #Spanish #business #finance #management (at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck1FUb0LBeC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

“There are no words to describe the pride I carry being a first-generation student here. Every day, I walk on campus knowing I’m paving the way for my brothers and future generations of my family. If I had to put a word to it — I would simply say “thankful,” because this is an opportunity my family and I went in with no knowledge, and here I am graduating next semester!” — Shaylyn Johnson '22 🎓🎉🐾 #CelebrateFirstGen #HuskyPride #BloomOnward #education #art (at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWQrfueLWmQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

“Towards the end of high school, I knew I needed to create an experience unlike anything my family has known; and this experience is still the best I could’ve wished for. It's unlike anything I could convey. Every day is a new journey and learning moment. I get surprised constantly with information and find myself learning continuously as I go along.” — William Turner '19/22M 🎓🎉🐾 #CelebrateFirstGen #HuskyPride #SAPro #CriminalJustice #BloomOnward (at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWLkyUALOlm/?utm_medium=tumblr

“The opportunity to attend college as a first-generation student has been a blessing. It’s allowed me to learn and grow in various ways, while pushing me to accomplish things my family hasn’t before. The trajectory of my career path began in intermediate school, and I knew I would need a degree in order to achieve it. I’ve always had a heart for working with individuals who have special needs and began volunteering as a kid. When I observed during a speech therapy session, I knew this was where I was supposed to be.” — Courtney Klinger '22 🎓🎉🐾 #CelebrateFirstGen #HuskyPride #SLP #BloomOnward (at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWER5xOL3eG/?utm_medium=tumblr

“Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to go to college. My father, a single parent, always pushed me to do well in school because he hadn't been able to finish high school, and he wanted me to have a better life than he had. I was highly motivated to do well, because I just wanted to make my dad proud.” — RuthAnn Green ’21 🎓🎉🐾 #CelebrateFirstGen #BUClass2021 (at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHivxTLHYfx/?igshid=svtszmn2hqxi

“My drive to attend college was being an example for my younger cousins. Also, to have a better adulthood than I did a childhood. Being from the inner city, there weren’t many who went on to college. After talking with my high school mentors and seeing how much they enjoyed what they did, made me want to also pursue something I enjoyed.” — Matt Lassus '20 🎓🎉🐾 #CelebrateFirstGen #BUClass2020 (at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHgQme9HV_O/?igshid=h6w10520scd