First-Generation College Stories

There are no words to describe the pride we all felt on the day I graduated from UW. A beautiful June day in 2000 and we are walking down from campus to the Stadium. We had just left the sociology breakfast. My father paused and we thought something was wrong. He started to cry and stated “You are representing all of us today and I am so very proud of you.” I will never forget that day.

I was definitely motivated to prove myself to those who overlooked my potential, lack of knowledge of the college system and my right to pursue higher education.

I went to a college preparatory Catholic high school and my parents worked hard to send us to that school — the one thing is I fell through the cracks. No one talked to me about a 4-year institution. After graduation I sent them a note letting them know that I made it and that the credit was all mine. I also wanted to ensure that didn’t happen to another student.

The best thing about my experience at UW was UW football on Saturdays, OMA and joining a Latina-based sorority. Those same organizations were my support systems along with Terry Hilliard West, Johnella Butler, Al Black, John Walter and Ron Milus to name a few.

The advice I would give my college self is, “You earned this, all of your hard work comes to this, a double major at the University of Washington. You are a Dawg for life.”

“You earned this, all of your hard work comes to this.”  — Suzette, ’00

After participating in Washington State’s Running Start Program and attending Seattle Central Community College, I attended, thoroughly enjoyed, and graduated in 2008 from the University of Washington’s School of Arts.

The University of Washington was instrumental in me earning my Bachelor’s Degree. I did not receive assistance from my family, financial or otherwise. I was a full-time student, as well as gainfully employed and paying my way 100% through navigating life in Seattle – rent, school, food, ALL of the bills were mine.

After receiving my Associate of the Arts Degree from Seattle Central I attended one semester at Cornish College of the Arts. Cornish was not generous about taking my transfer credits, and Cornish was also a VERY expensive private school. I was taking out Pell Grant loans to pay my way. Transferring to the UW was one of my BEST life decisions: I was a Husky Promise Student. A Husky Promise Student has low-income parents, and has to maintain a certain GPA. I never had to take out another loan, the UW was generous about my transfer credits, and I had so much more freedom.

One of the highlights of my time at the UW was studying abroad in Rome. I will never forget it! It gave me the confidence to travel abroad after college to Iceland and Germany and more. Next week I travel to Ireland for a work trip!

Being the first in my family to attend college meant breaking the chains of poverty and creating a whole new opportunity for the generations to come. I was a mother of two at the time and was working three part-time jobs to make it happen. Knowing the college degree would be a life-changing event … nothing was going to stop me.

What motivated you to go to college?

I was told by an employer that I had reached my glass ceiling. I would never go any further nor would I amount to anything as a mother of two children with nothing other than a GED. That statement motivated me to prove that employer wrong.

Today, I can say I have worked for some of the world’s largest global employers, such as Amazon, T-Mobile, Zillow, and DocuSign. I have traveled to 52 countries and my adult children are college graduates/students themselves. We have broken those chains of poverty!!!

What was the best thing about your college experience?

Connection within a community of learners was so important to me. Not only did I learn a lot from each of the professors, but I made lifelong friendships with other non-traditional college students during the process. I learned how to critically think beyond what was presented in front of me. I understood more about the complexities of DE&I and other factors like environmental sciences impacting our foods, medications and global climate. I will never forget my time at the University of Washington. I still maintain a strong sense of identity as a Washington Husky!

Who did you turn to when you needed support?

Thankfully, I had an amazing mentor that I had met during my college days. Today, several years later, he is like a father to me. In addition to that, many of the professors were amazing guides, partners, and challenged me to think beyond the norm. I use study halls, tutors, and accessed peer learners to discuss thought provoking homework assignments. Tapping into the global learning community that the University of Washington offered allowed for me to grow beyond my expectations.

What advice would you give your college self?

Connect even more. Go to those events, follow up on suggested leads, keep in touch with professors and peers students over the years. Never forget where you come from. Your story is unique and interesting. The one thing no one can ever take away from you, is education. Give it your all!

“Never forget where you come from. Your story is unique and interesting. Give it your all!”
–Autumn, ‘07

I grew up surrounded by strong role models. Being first-generation in college and corporate America, I actively sought out unofficial and official mentors. I am grateful for everyone who patiently shared their wisdom. My goal was to get into college — I hadn’t thought much about what to do after I was accepted. With the encouragement of my family, classmates, professors, and colleagues, I have accomplished more than I thought was possible for myself.

I came to the University of Washington after falling in love with the campus and Slavic languages on a field trip for World Languages Day with my high school Spanish class. I enrolled in Russian 101 without knowing a single word of Russian, but I was hooked.

A member of the Jackson School shared information about the Ellison Center, REECAS major, and study abroad opportunities in our Russian 203 class. While studying abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia, I knew I wanted to return to the University of Washington for graduate school to study security in the region. With the help of an incredible committee, I published my master’s thesis on the integration of cyber tools in Russian information operations in 2015.

For me, being a first-generation graduate carries an immense sense of pride and responsibility. I am proud of my accomplishments, the hardships I overcame, and the mistakes I learned from. I can confidently say I would not be where I am today without my education and the support I received from my family, friends, and everyone at the University of Washington. I feel a sense of duty to pay it forward and help others achieve their college dreams.

“I feel a sense of duty to pay it forward and help others achieve their college dreams.”

I’m proud to be first generation college graduate. My father immigrated from the Philippines in 1927 when he was 20 years old. My mother was a German farm girl in North Dakota. They married in 1938. Those were difficult years for a person of color and for a mixed marriage. My father had some college in the Philippines, but his education was not recognized by any employer. My parents could not afford to pay for their kids’ education. I joined the Army for three years to qualify for the GI bill. I was “turned on” to accounting by UW Professor Don DeCoster. After graduation from the UW, I became a Certified Public Accountant (now retired), a Certified Management Accountant, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. I earned a master’s degree in management (not from the UW). I spent 10 years on the Washington State Board of Accountancy. After an auditing career with the Department of Defense, I now teach accounting at Highline College. After my graduation from the UW Business school, were five siblings that also graduated out of the nine kids in my family. All five are UW grads! My three kids are college grads (two from UW, one from WSU). Many of my nieces and nephews have attended or graduated from college. A proud legacy for my parents.

“Five siblings… also graduated out of the nine kids in my family.” —Ron, ‘73

Both of my parents went to community college, but I was the first in my family to earn a four year degree. I majored in sociology from the University of Washington in the early 2000s. I always knew that education would be the key to a successful future, but had no way of knowing that my undergraduate experience at the University of Washington would be foundational in my future success for my career.

In addition to expanding my earning capability, my undergraduate classes fostered a lifetime passion for learning, and provided me a strong foundation to succeed in graduate studies later on in my career. Reflecting back on my college experience I only wish I had spent more time at the University of Washington.
I was a transfer student from a community college and I felt like I missed out on a lot from not having my first two years on campus. I now try to give back to other Husky undergrads by participating regularly in the Huskies at Work program.

Future advice? Don’t work a 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. 911-Dispatch shift and expect to be fresh for an art history class that starts at 9 a.m. Trust me, it just doesn’t work!

Lastly, as a father, I look forward to trying to instill some of the same educational values in my own children, as well as those who I help inspire through youth coaching and other mentorship opportunities. I am also thankful to my parents who helped start a college savings program that allowed me to pursue my education. As a Chief of Police, I work with my executive staff and my officers to encourage them to follow their educational goals to help provide for a better future for the profession.

“I give back to other Husky undergrads by participating regularly in the Huskies at Work program.”
–Erik, ’00

Our family’s First-Generation Husky story begins with Gudrun Irene Schoening (nee Kittilsby) 1914-1917, the daughter of 1888 Norwegian immigrant homesteaders at Lilliwaup, Washington, my mother-in-law. The family moved to the Queen Anne community so their children could attend the University of Washington for “en god utdanneise” (a good education). I wed one of her sons, William Klev Schoening, and we graduated together from the UW in June 1951.

Our Husky Family Tree with over 100 years of University of Washington enrollment now numbers 27 limbs over 4 generations, including marriages and births. They have majored in Education, Engineering, Mining, Political Science, Business, Medicine, Arts, Languages and Recreation, earning BA’s, MBA’s, PhD’s and 1 Magna Cum Laude. All of these under the guidance and dedication of professors and instructors who encouraged and supported us.

So we all have been fulfilling our first immigrants’ wish for “en god utdanneise” at the University of Washington.

“So we all have been fulfilling our first immigrants’ wish for “en god utdanneise” at the University of Washington.” —Carmella, ‘51

Being a first generation college student meant that I was able to pave the way for nephews and nieces. Not only receiving my Bachelor’s degree, I also received my Masters in Social Welfare. I knew education was one thing no one could take from me and wanted to make something of myself. The best thing about my college experience was the relationships I built but also the ability to challenge myself. I also had the opportunity to study aboard in Ghana which was a life changing experience.

If I had to give any advice to my college self would be it’s okay if everything is not figured out. It’s okay to be driven but also enjoy the journey and be yourself.

“I had the opportunity to study aboard in Ghana which was a life changing experience.”
–Corasia, ‘16

Gilbert was a first generation college graduate, who then went on to earn his MD from the UW. Here’s his story:

It was the first day of classes at the UW School of Medicine, but instead of attending anatomy class, one first-year medical student was hiding in the student union. Anxious and overwhelmed, he flipped through a newspaper, drinking cup after cup of coffee and wondering what on earth he’d gotten himself into. For Gilbert Smith, M.D., ’64, it was almost the end of his medical career — before it even began.

Smith had grown up in the tiny town of Ravalli, Montana, “a town you could walk through in five minutes,” he recalls. Having always felt drawn to science, Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana and then applied to medical school at UW Medicine. But when he arrived in Seattle and made his way to campus, Smith experienced some serious culture shock.

“I was really intimidated by the size of Seattle,” Smith says, “and I was having second thoughts about whether I’d be able to make it through medical school.” Nervous and feeling out of place, he skipped the first two days of class. On the third day, he gathered his courage and went to see Richard Blandell, the dean of admissions.

“I told him I was completely overwhelmed, and he understood,” Smith says. Still, Blandell told him, seeing as he’d already paid for tuition and books, Smith should at least stick around for the quarter. Then, to make sure Smith didn’t miss a third day, Blandell walked him to class and introduced him to his new classmates. Soon enough, Smith had settled in at school and never looked back. Four years later, on graduation day, Smith saw the kindly dean again. “He came up and congratulated me personally,” says Smith. “He remembered me all that time.”

Meanwhile, Smith had found the specialty to which he would devote his career: OB/GYN. While an intern at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute in Spokane, he met his wife, Christi, an OB nurse. Drafted during the Korean War, Smith later became a resident at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. After being discharged from the Army, Smith returned to Spokane and practiced for 26 years. Now retired, he teaches reproductive health classes at the Women’s Hearth shelter in Spokane. It all might never have happened without a bit of help at a pivotal moment, and Smith knew he wanted to pay it forward.

His own tuition had been covered by a program in Montana, and Smith counted himself fortunate that he was able to graduate debt-free — but he realized that many of today’s students face significant debt in medical school. That’s why he and his family created the Gilbert A. Smith, M.D., Family Scholarship for medical students. “Even undergraduate school can be prohibitively expensive,” says Smith. “It’s my hope to help get students through a month or two of just surviving at school.”

Today, Smith still remembers Blandell fondly as the mentor who started him on his path. “If I hadn’t talked to him that day, I probably would have quit,” he says. “But he saw something in me. He was a wonderful person.”

“If I hadn’t talked to [the dean] that day, I probably would have quit. But he saw something in me. He was a wonderful person.”
–Gilbert, ‘64

Being a first-generation college student is a profound and deeply personal journey for me. It means breaking barriers and forging a path that was not traditionally laid out before me. Growing up in a single-parent household, my vision of attending college was not always clear or straightforward. The challenges of balancing school with part-time work and managing financial constraints made the journey feel daunting. Yet, this experience has been a testament to my resilience and determination. It’s about defying the odds and setting a precedent for myself and others in my family.

I am incredibly grateful to have graduated college at the age of 21 with no student loan debt, which lifted a tremendous financial burden off my shoulders.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication with double minors in Leadership and Public Policy. Additionally, I completed the Husky Leadership Certificate program, which provided me with invaluable opportunities to hone my leadership skills and apply them to real-world challenges. This achievement wasn’t just about earning a degree — it was about creating a future of stability and opportunity for myself, all while paving the way for those who will follow in my footsteps. Each step I took was not only a step towards my own future but a stride towards creating new opportunities for my family and my community.

The motivation to go to college stemmed from a combination of personal aspirations and external influences. My early involvement with community-based organizations and advocacy efforts lit a fire within me. I was driven by a desire to transform my own life and contribute meaningfully to my community. Running Start played a pivotal role in preparing me for this path. Starting at 16, it provided a head start and a practical glimpse into college life, equipping me with the skills and confidence needed for a successful transition. By the time I was 18, I had already graduated from Clark College with my Associate in Arts (AA), which laid a strong foundation for my academic journey. The program showed me that higher education was not just a possibility but an achievable reality.

The best part of my college experience was the opportunity to engage in impactful internships that solidified my passion and career direction. My time at AARP was particularly transformative. It ignited my passion for working with older adults and taught me invaluable lessons about community engagement and advocacy. These internships were some of the most rewarding aspects of my college journey, providing me with practical experience and a deeper understanding of my field. They helped me to see the real-world impact of my work and confirmed my commitment to making a difference.

When I faced challenges, my support system was my anchor. My family, especially my mother, and my friends were indispensable. They were always there to lend a listening ear and offer encouragement when things got tough. I remember moments when giving up felt like the easier option, but their unwavering support and belief in me gave me the strength to persevere. Their motivation was a crucial factor in helping me cross the finish line and achieve my goals.

Looking back, I would tell my college self to embrace solitude when needed and to not be afraid of doing things alone. College life is not just about academics; it’s also about exploring new experiences and making the most of student life. Attending pop-up events, football games, and other activities enriched my college experience and helped me connect with others. I would also advise myself to venture beyond Seattle, exploring new places and broadening my horizons. These experiences are integral to personal growth and should be embraced fully.

In conclusion, being a first-generation college student has been a journey of overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities. The support from my family, the preparation from Running Start, and the enriching experiences through internships have all contributed to a meaningful and fulfilling college experience. My journey has been shaped by resilience, support, and a deep commitment to my goals, and I carry these lessons forward as I continue to forge my path.

“Each step I took was not only a step towards my own future but a stride towards creating new opportunities for my family and my community.”
–Jaelyn, ‘24