My father was extremely smart but never had the opportunity to pursue college, instead going directly into the service. My mother was one of eight children, six of whom were girls. Although all eight siblings became successful in their adult life, only two had the opportunity to go to college. My parents never even spoke of the possibility of me not going to college because they both wanted to so badly. I didn't realize until later in life all the personal challenges they made in our family to ensure that I would have the opportunity to attend college. Their quiet sacrifices provided support that meant I didn't have to worry about the financial side of things…I just needed to be successful.

I always knew I would attend college but I had no idea what to expect. As a first-gen student, no one in my family prepared me for all the opportunities that college had to offer because they simply didn't know. My college experience clearly had a major impact on my life. It literally changed my life and I knew by the end of my undergraduate program that I wanted to help other students have the same type of experience. College can be a transformative experience for the student who chooses to get out of their comfort zone.

I changed my major three times in two semesters. I simply couldn't find my niche. I started out studying what I thought was an “acceptable” major but hated it. While my parents always supported me and encouraged me to pursue the major that inspired me, I always felt a little fearful that I would choose a major that they wouldn't approve of and that was my biggest fear. However, nothing could have been further from the truth. Even though my parents didn't really understand the whole college experience, they could see that it was having a significant impact on me as an individual and ultimately, they wanted me to study what I was passionate about and not select a major because I thought it was “acceptable” to them or anyone else.

I was fortunate enough to have a really good academic advisor and since I changed my major three times, they really worked hard to help me find my passion. They also helped me understand that college offered more than just a degree. It offered experiences that broadened my understanding of the world, as well as helped me to better understand myself. They encouraged me to get involved on campus – join some clubs, do some internships, go to the lectures – things outside of classroom that really enhanced my college experience and made me fall in love with being a part of the campus community. They were also key to helping me identify what I needed to do for after college and put me in touch with the right people in career services.