As we lean into the end of the year, it’s customary to reflect on the highlights—a difficult task as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to permeate our lives. Yet we also continue to live our lives in the spaces in between. As I reflect on 2021, I share this post to remind myself of what I accomplished during another year of challenges….
Last week, we observed National First Generation College Celebration Day. I’ve been thinking about the impact of being first generation makes on my experience. When you’re a first-generation student, navigating the complexities of the higher education system takes longer—you spend so much extra time trying to figure it out. The parents of first-generation students did not attend college, so we learn to navigate higher education on our own. And so navigating systems within higher education (financial aid, program requirements, course registration, etc.) easily becomes a barrier to learning….