GREENEVILLE – College students whose parents or guardians did not obtain a bachelor’s degree have an important story to tell, and a national event celebrated locally at Tusculum University provided a forum to highlight the experience.
Rachael Barnett, director of Student Support Services, speaks during the event.
Tusculum held First-Generation College Celebration Day Wednesday, Nov. 6. The day highlighted and honored college students who fit that classification. It also provided a spotlight on Student Support Services and ARCHES, two federal TRIO programs at Tusculum that deliver a variety of beneficial services to these students.
“Why does it matter to share your story?” Rachael Barnett, SSS’ director, asked students in these programs. “Being the first in your family to pursue a college education is no small feat. It’s a journey filled with unique challenges, and yet, you face each one with courage, curiosity and grit.”
Student stories
Stephen Brewer is one of those students sharing a story. He is a senior seeking a bachelor’s in sport science pre-physical therapy/occupational therapy and is an SSS participant. As a student-athlete who has discovered the path through college is not always easy and smooth, Brewer has some guidance for others – attaining success in school is sometimes as basic as continuing to move forward.
“We all know college isn’t the easiest,” Brewer said during the event. “Sometimes we don’t know how we’re going to make it through the day, how we’re going to make it through the week, much less how we’re going to make it through the semester or the school year. One piece of advice I can give is to always, day by day, put one foot in front of the other. Take every day step by step and do everything you can to make sure you are doing what you can to achieve the future that you want.”
Tusculum student Whitney Burgner discusses her education journey.
Tusculum student Stephen Brewer shares his story during the event.
SSS and ARCHES provide academic advising, financial literacy education, assistance with the FAFSA, graduate school advising and counseling as well as tutoring. Participants also can take free trips that incorporate cultural activities and visits to graduate school programs. Among the cities SSS has visited in recent years are New York and New Orleans.
SSS serves traditional students, while ARCHES is geared toward online students.
Whitney Burgner is an ARCHES member. She is a mother of a 6-year-old girl and a full-time employee with the Chuckey Utility District, who started her college studies later. She expressed her gratitude during the ceremony for the ARCHES program because it has provided critical support on her academic journey. She particularly appreciates Rose Webb, her academic advisor.
Burgner is a sophomore in the business administration program who will graduate from Tusculum with an associate degree in accounting in May and then pursue her bachelor’s degree in that subject from the university.
“Returning to college has made a difference in my work life and my personal life,” she said. “In my work life, it has helped me advance in my role, and it will continue to contribute to advancements in my role. In my personal life, I’d like to think that it has helped me set an example for my daughter that no matter what she sets her mind to, she can achieve anything and to never stop chasing her dreams.”
Written messages
As part of this year’s festivities, SSS and ARCHES sought written testimonials from current and former first-generation students. Several submitted their stories.
Tusculum students and staff watch the speakers at the event.
Staff members for the Student Support Services and ARCHES programs pose for a photo. They are, left to right, Meagan Stark, Steve Anderson, Rachael Barnett, Rose Webb and Laura Carr.
“I am proud to be a first-generation college student,” said William Watson IV, a traditional freshman, who is pursuing a degree in business. “This is my chance to change my life and create a better future for myself and my family. I want to thank my family for support and guidance. My advice to other first-generation students is to have faith and believe that the sky is the limit. Attending Tusculum University has been a blessing, and I’m grateful for this opportunity.”
Carrie Cobble began her Tusculum studies in 2012 and graduated in 2017 at age 39 as an online student with a bachelor’s in business management. One amusing moment from that time is she gave birth to her third child while she was in algebra class. She is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching and is scheduled to graduate in May.
“ARCHES helped me to get my journey started by loaning me a laptop,” Cobble said. “Had it not been for that, I probably wouldn’t have continued toward my goal. I am very proud to be the first in my entire ‘large’ family to have ever obtained a bachelor’s degree, and in May, I will become the first in my family to obtain a master’s degree. I am very blessed and never gave up, although the thought of it ever so frequently crossed my mind. My advice: Never give up. It’s never too late. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
First-generation students were also invited to share their stories via video after Wednesday’s ceremony.
History and outcomes
Tusculum holds an annual celebration the week of Nov. 8 to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson. That legislation led to the creation of the federal TRIO programs, of which SSS and ARCHES are a part. Other programs that flowed from that act are Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math and Science and Talent Search, all of which are offered at Tusculum and serve middle school and high school students.
Barnett said the TRIO programs promote access to a postsecondary education, retention and graduation from college for limited-income, first-generation students. SSS and ARCHES also point the way to potential graduate studies. She recalled a recent graduate school trip 20 SSS students took. One of the students said afterward that she had never thought of graduate school as an option but is now considering taking that step.
“Those are my favorite moments working with first-generation students,” Barnett said. “What first seems impossible becomes reality. And I was so proud of them and the way they conducted themselves meeting with graduate school faculty one-on-one.”
Michael Hensley, right, a staff member for U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., shares his thoughts during the event.
Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, addresses the audience.
Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, highlighted that Tusculum’s first-generation students are pioneers. He understands their status because he was also a first-generation student when he was in college. He commended the work SSS and ARCHES perform and thanked everyone.
“We are providing access to a dream,” Dr. Hummel said. “There can be a lot of things playing in students’ heads that can stand in the way of fulfilling their dreams. But these programs help students envision that dream and then equip them to make it a reality. It’s exciting to see that progress.”
He touted that students who are eligible for SSS and ARCHES and participate in those programs are twice as likely to graduate. He called that a phenomenal, tangible outcome that demonstrates how they are positioned to seize opportunities before them.
Also attending the event was Michael Hensley, director of faith-based and community initiatives for U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
“We celebrate you, your dreams, your talents and your passions that the world needs,” he told students. “Pursuing your education at Tusculum is a remarkable personal achievement, and when you really examine that, it’s about honing in on your gifts so that you can bring them into those spaces that need them the most in a way that serves and uplifts others.
“As you navigate those challenges and those opportunities ahead, know that your journey really does have the power to change lives, to spark hope and to make a lasting impact. And know that we will be cheering you on every step of the way.”
Additional information about SSS is available at https://site.tusculum.edu/student-success/academic-affairs/first-gen/sss/. To access further detail about ARCHES, please visit https://site.tusculum.edu/student-success/academic-affairs/first-gen/arches/. To learn more about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu.