CLAS recognizes National First-Gen Celebration Day

Wayne State is the home to a variety of excellent staff and faculty, many of which are first-generation college students in their families. November 8 is the National First-Generation College Student Celebration, which aims to highlight the struggles faced and accomplishments achieved by first-generation students all over the country. Our faculty and staff are first-gen proud and here's why!

Harmony Durden

I am from Kalamazoo, MI, born and raised. I am one of several siblings and a parent of a fantastic child. I am the first one to have attended college out of my siblings at this time. It has been quite a difficult journey. It has taken me 11 years to get so close to receiving a master's degree. I have overcome many challenges in my life that have caused me to retake or drop many courses. But I am blessed to be the person my family can lean on to get advice about what steps to take as they consider their career goals.

Aaron Hardy-Smith

As a student at Martin Luther King Jr., Sr. High School in Detroit, I knew I would attend college. My desire as a high school senior was to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. My wonderful parents encouraged me tremendously as I navigated the unfamiliar terrain of college life. Without their love and support, I would not have been successful as a college student. Whenever I had questions, and they were unsure how to guide me specifically, they told me, "Go see your advisor, Aaron!" Those were truly words of wisdom!

George Borszcz

My parents were post-WWII immigrants who immigrated after spending four years in a displaced persons camp. My sister, brothers, and I were first-generation college students.

Patricia Wren

My father famously declared that he would not pay for his two daughters to go to college because they would "get married and waste their education." He did not understand college. He did not recognize, at the time, my love of learning. Fortunately, my mother creatively balanced the checkbook to hide money from him! She also took a job at the local community college that offered free tuition to employees' children. That got me started - now five degrees in total - and the rest is history!

Rebecca Russell

I was sure in high school that I wanted to go to college, and even being in a high school that was strong for College-prep, I was always behind. I did not know I needed ACTs and signed up a week before the last test date. I did not know how to write a solid admissions essay. Once I got to campus, I was nervous to ask any questions because I didn't want people to know I had no idea what I was doing. These are all the experiences that made me want to be an academic advisor and remove the fear and stigma of asking for help and seeking out resources. I fumbled through college and made it, but I want other students to make it through with more ease! I try to ask leading questions in appointments if students are not aware they should be asking questions for themselves.

Sean Novak

I came from a background where many of my family didn't graduate high school, much less college. Most of my family works in the foodservice industry or various factories. I was lost when I went to college because I hardly knew anyone who had that experience. I didn't know how to navigate it at all. I dealt with a lot of insecurity, thinking I didn't belong (imposter syndrome). I fell many times. I got up every time. I found a community of support. I persevered and continue to.