Dr. Beth Hennon can't remember a time when she didn't plan on attending college. Although her parents never attended, they fully expected their children to do so. When she reached this stage, the biggest hardship she faced was having to learn everything on her own. Unlike other students who received insight from their parents, Dr. Hennon didn't know how the scholarship system worked, how to maximize financial aid, how to decide which college to attend, and more. Through trial and error, she overcame this obstacle and figured everything out.

“Always ask for help.” That's Dr. Hennon's advice to other first-gen students. She says it rarely hurts to ask, and others know the answer usually because they once asked someone else too. “If your family doesn't know the answer, do your friends?” Dr. Hennon says. “Does someone in Ridgway or Olmsted? Don't flounder out of fear of looking like you don't know the answer!”

Because of the small campus, Dr. Hennon thinks students seem to be more willing to ask for help. With a tight-knit community that cares for their own, she says employees are much more likely to notice those who are in need of help and will reach out to ensure they are succeeding.