First-Gen Photo Exhibition 2023

As the first one to finish college in my family, my degree has enhanced my life and opened many doors. I take pride in being a first-generation college student knowing that my hard work has paid off, that I have set a positive example for my son, and that my accomplishment has laid a foundation for his future success as well.

As a first-generation student, I know how important it is to break barriers and pave the way for future generations. I hope to be a role model for my family and show them that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Being an educated indigenous woman and a single mom from the reservation, I understand the importance of leading by example and showing others that it is possible to navigate two worlds. It takes strength and resilience to keep moving forward, and I am grateful for the opportunity to achieve the goals I set out to make years ago. 

In my family, this entails overcoming enormous generational barriers. Regardless of your background or origin, you can start new traditions by encouraging your friends and family to pursue higher education.

To me, being a first-generation student means paving the way for others, whether that's my future children, incoming students, or current students on campus. Being a first-generation student and going through the college decision process on my own has made me very passionate about making education accessible for all. It's why I pursued a job in higher education and why I chose to work for MSU. In Admissions, we visit every high school in the state of Montana, so I get to be the first person to tell a lot of first-generation students in Montana that college is possible for them, and that it doesn't have to be a big, scary process. I use my own experience as a first-generation student in my work every single day, and it motivates me to help incoming students through their own college decision process. 

To me it means taking an opportunity that my family didn’t have, and using it to become my most successful self. It also means that I am creating an example for my younger siblings, and hope that they take the chance I did as they get closer to college age. Being a First-Gen is scary and intimidating, but I know in the end it will be rewarding!

Not having family who went to college. Lot of responsibilities in figuring everything out. 

Being first-gen means being someone who is carving their own path, a community-builder and seeker because we often don’t have it from the families or communities we come from, it means a lot of learning and trying and making mistakes, but knowing that you are doing and achieving things that maybe a couple years ago, ten years ago, in other generations, wasn’t possible or a given for your family. And that’s really special to me, to watch my family learn about academia alongside me.

Being a first-gen is really nerve-wracking. There are so many different things about being in a university that are confusing and really hard to deal with. But it means that I can do something important with my life, and be an important figure in my family. 

Being the first in many things gave me the strength to always take me to the next level. I grew up knowing that there were limits, but I managed to go beyond those every day. I'm proud to be La Primera in my family to get a bachelor's, a master's in the U.S. and I'm on my way to earn a second master's in this country that has open so many possibilities to me. I'm doing my best to serve as a role model for my younger cousins, and for other first-gens. I'm the President of the First-Generation Students Association and we'll keep working towards making MSU a more welcoming environment for every first-gen.

Gaining opportunity and freedom.

Being a first-generation student means taking a step forward in my life alongside my parents, who are as clueless as me. 

A pathway to improve my life and advance my abilities in all ways, but then take in my life experiences to make a combination that show all parts of my life in the actions and decisions I take. 

Being a first generation student to me means that I don’t have to follow the trends of my family. There is nothing against not getting a college education, but I am very proud to start a new trend in my family and prove my capabilities. I hope that I can inspire other first generation students to persevere in their pursuit of higher education and contribute through college despite family norms or possible lack of support.  

To me, being a rural raised, first-generation college student led me to accept that a lack of knowledge does not equate to a lack of intellegence. Coming into college, I did not have the grasp on the higher education system that my continuing-generation peers had. As much as my parents wanted to help, their limited knowledge of what a four-year college degree entailed only allowed them to do so much when it came to navigating the hidden curriculum of the university system. I wouldn't change my first-generation identity as it has made me more resilient and confident in my own abilities. 

I think being a first-generation means being resilient. In order to succeed it requires one to be open-minded, flexible, and dedicated. These characteristics not only help us throughout college, but also in our future careers. 

It means that anything is possible. I never thought graduating with a Bachelor’s was something I was going to accomplish, but I will do just that in Spring of 25!
As a non-traditional student and a first-generation student it means that you should never give up and go for whatever your heart desires.
I hope that my story will help other first-generation and non-traditional students realize what they are capable of and that they can do anything.

College helped me meet amazing people and turn my passions into a fulfilling career! 

I am forever grateful to my parents for showing me this path to be an educated person, for helping me to achieve this dream they could never achieve.

It means my parents worked very hard to support me in school both financially and to support my success.  They grew up during the depression and were newlyweds during World War II.  When I was born in the 50s it was starting to be a goal for many families to have their children attend college and avoid the hardships parents grew up with.  Thanks, Mom & Dad.  

Being a first generation student means the world to me. It is so monumental for me because I know that for every one of us who are first-generation we inspire another one. It is one of the most rewarding experiences and opportunities to take the step forward and be a first generation student and continue to pursue and value our education. It is so inspiring to see and connect with others who are first generation here at Montana State and be apart of such a supportive community.