Though the climb to academic success varies between first-generation students, UCA’s celebration of National First-Generation Day in the Ronnie Williams Student Center highlighted both the struggles and successes felt by all generations of first-gen students.
National First-Generation Day, celebrated Nov. 8, is a holiday recognized annually for those who have become or are becoming the first in their family to receive a 4-year degree. This year, UCA’s First Gen Scholars Society hosted Provost Patricia Poulter and allowed her to recount her experience as a first-generation graduate.
Poulter said, “Arkansas is plagued by generational poverty. I grew up poor, but I didn’t really realize how poor I was. Poverty is insidious and the myth of pulling oneself up by one’s bootstraps makes for a good story, but it’s rarely true. We help others rise, we lift one another up, we see the promise in someone and we do our best to supply them with the tools they need to succeed.”
Poulter said that while growing up on farmland, she knew she wanted something different from working in the factories or working with corn. Though her mother, father and grandmother on her dad’s side served as supporting figures in her life, Poulter said her mom’s mother was a main source of encouragement.
Students pose at a photo booth at the celebration for first-gen students Nov. 8 at the Ronnie Williams Student Center. UCA’s First Generation Scholars Society, also known as UCA’s F1RSTs, is an RSO for both first-gen students and their supporters, according to UCA’s website.
“Since I didn’t really know how this college thing worked, I applied late. I didn’t have housing and the residence halls were all full,” Poulter said. “I had to get an apartment and my roommate was somebody that was at the ripe old age of 26 who had come back for one semester to finish her degree. I didn’t really have any help there. Enter my grandma. She said she would loan me the money to pay rent.”
While this helped make college easier, Poulter said that the juxtaposition between life in her hometown and life at college made her feel lost and at a disadvantage.
“I got to campus and I felt like I didn’t know anyone, and therefore I didn’t know who I was,” Poulter said. “I was always me in relation to the things I did and the people I knew. My safety net was gone. It seemed, as I said, like everyone but me knew what they were doing.”
Poulter said that she learned it was OK to not be completely put together and that nobody is ever really perfect. The goal is to push through and listen to those who support you rather than listen to your anxiety.
“I learned that everyone faces difficulty and doubt, and everyone gets through it,” Poulter said. “I learned that everyone struggles in some classes and everyone gets through it. I learned that asking for help and clarification and guidance are signs of strength, not weakness.”
When Poulter later wanted to repay her grandmother for all the rent money she had contributed, Poulter’s grandmother declined the offer. All she requested was that Poulter repay an act of kindness to somebody else.
Madison DuPriest, vice president of UCA’s First Generation Scholars Society, said that her reason for attending the event and celebrating National First-Generation Day stemmed from the pride she has for first-gen students.
“It’s important to me because not only will I be able to help my family, but I’m also setting a path for my family when I have kids, so they don’t have to go through all the struggles that I do,” DuPriest said.
For DuPriest, the figure that has assisted her the most would be Nadia Eslinger. Eslinger is the associate director of UCA’s Office of Student Success and the leader for the First Generation Scholars Society.
“She really helped with the first-generation summer program I did before coming here as a freshman. She was just really nice and really open and helped you get to know the staff,” DuPriest said.
DuPriest said that family-wise, her parents and grandparents have helped her the most with college. Her grandmother on her father’s side established a college fund so that DuPriest could attend college.
Sophomore Neiya Howell, a member of the First Gen Scholars Society, said that Eslinger has also been a leading figure in her college career and is the main reason she attended the celebration for first-gen students.
“I’ve been talking to Miss Nadia about how to succeed on campus with no family knowing what you’re going through,” Howell said.
Howell said that Poulter’s words on overcoming obstacles defined her reasoning for being a first-gen student and wanting to thrive at UCA.
“She said we’re all going through the same things,” Howell said. “Why I’m here is to make sure I succeed so my family and younger cousins and sisters can follow in not just my footsteps, but also their footsteps.”
Howell said that her mom has been the leading family member to push her through college.
“She really just, I’m not going to say forced me, but she always just wanted what’s best for me,” Howell said. “Becoming a [registered nurse], I owe that to her.”
UCA’s First Generation Scholars Society, also known as UCA’s F1RSTs, is an RSO for both first-gen students and their supporters according to UCA’s website. The driving goal behind the organization is to allow students to share experiences while also offering access to tools that will help them achieve a bountiful college career.
