First-Generation Profiles

Samantha Buchanan

Before Virginia Tech

• I grew up in South Jersey and was moved to Arizona as a teenager after my mom passed away. I attended Northern Arizona University for my undergrad from 2008-2012 and then master's from 2012-2014. Then in 2014, I moved to Virginia Tech! I received a recruitment pamphlet from Northern Arizona University in the mail. I "applied" through an early process. I stumbled my way through the college transition process, but somehow the pieces fell into place. While at NAU I struggled with finances quite a bit and I received hand-delivered eviction notices from on-campus housing on a monthly basis. I worked multiple jobs at a time and found positions that paid for my housing. I did a national job search and thankfully got a job at Virginia Tech. I started here in July 2014 as a Residential Learning Coordinator and then later as an Assistant Director in (the former) Housing & Residence Life. I moved to serve as the Assistant Director of Professional Development before landing in New Student and Family Programs as the Associate Director.

What motivated me to go to college

• It was always assumed from a young age that I would do well in school and go to college. I don't remember there being much of a question or there being much discussion about this. I wanted to be a teacher and knew that a degree was required. I didn't know how to get there, but stumbled my way there. I never thought or dreamed of going to graduate school; however, when I changed my career path, I knew I needed a master's. The simple fact of the degrees being requirements were my main motivation to attending and persisting.

What I would tell my freshman self

• Ask for help and take offers of help! I wish I directly confronted what I didn't know. I hope others are vulnerable and honest with the things they don't understand. Give yourself credit for each step, but ask for help along the way. It will allow you to experience more joy throughout the journey instead of constantly putting up a facade and secretly struggling. I always thought I had to do everything alone and that asking questions made me look dumb or like an outsider. I was constantly pretending - as if I was cheating the whole system of higher ed. Although I never acknowledged this at the time, I had a lot of imposter syndrome. I didn't give myself the true credit for getting to where I was (still don't), but instead I was taught to pretend and blend in to get by. I never thought I was as smart as or good as everyone else, just lucky. If I "fake it until I make it" I could get through.

How my background helped me

• I was forced to be resilient. Through difficult times during my childhood, I never stopped for too long. I always quickly figured out a new path to move forward.

The best thing about my college experience

• I was exposed to SO MUCH!! New people, new concepts, new pathways. I got extremely involved and connected. I made a ton of friends and worked to help others throughout my time. I absolutely loved my undergraduate institution and the surrounding area. To this day, the people, local community, and those mountains hold my heart.

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• Being able to work independently through issues is a superpower that not everyone has-it also takes bravery to be the first to step up and embark on a new journey like this! That said, make sure you aren't staying isolated out of fear of rejection, failure, etc. More people than you realize are here to help and support you without judgement - and with understanding. Running into obstacles and using the support systems around you will never make you less brave nor will it take away from your independent nature! Use your drive and independence for good, but don't let it bring you down.

Ashley Offutt

Before Virginia Tech

• Before Virginia Tech, I served in roles dedicated to the retention of underrepresented and underserved students at Colleges and Universities. I've been engaged in this work since 2009. I’m from Louisville, Kentucky and have 2 younger siblings. I also love animals and nature!

What motivated me to go to college

• I was motivated to go to college because I was told that I couldn't. My guidance counselor told me that I would not do well in college, and that I should investigate local jobs in the area that would better suit me; specifically, ones that did not require a college degree.

What I would tell my freshman self

• To take my time and ask for help. You do not have to figure it out on your own.

How my background helped me

• My background helped me navigate college because I used the lessons learned in my childhood and upbringing to motivate me. My junior year of undergrad, I had a parent pass away. It was hard to navigate, and to be transparent, I struggled with it some days, and I know that she was proud of what I was working towards and the things that I wanted to accomplish while in college.

The best thing about my college experience

• The best thing about my college experience was being able to learn in real time and being afforded the grace to learn. As post-grad professionals, sometimes the grace is not there, and that is something that I did not know to appreciate back then.

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• Grace does not remove responsibility. If you can navigate the college experience as a first gen student, you can navigate anything.

Kate Renz

Before Virginia Tech

• I am from a small town in Southwest Virginia called Martinsville. This is a town where a lot of people cannot afford to go to college, and the conversation of continuing education is little to none. Neither of my parents went to college, but still were highly motivated individuals who had amazing careers.

What motivated me to go to college

• One of the reasons I decided to go to college was because I heard my mom talk about how she was able to get her job in the ‘90s with just a GED, but now for that role, someone is required to have a masters. That, plus all the encouragement from my parents, helped me decide to go to college to be able to pursue a career.

What I would tell my freshman self

• Thinking back to my freshman self, I would tell myself that it is okay to make mistakes, it is how you grow. I feel like I was so nervous and afraid of failure and disappointing people, when in fact, I was already doing amazing things by attending college and putting myself out there.

How my background helped me

• My background helped me by learning how to be resilient and learning from my mistakes to be a stronger person.

The best thing about my college experience

• The best thing about my college experience is being able to use resources like First-Gen and later on becoming a First-Gen Peer Menor. I met so many wonderful people by putting myself out there that helped shape a wonderful college experience.

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• One key piece of advice for first-gen students is to embrace your unique perspective. Your background brings valuable insights that can enhance classroom discussions and group projects. Don’t shy away from sharing your experiences; they can enrich the learning environment for everyone. Additionally, seek out mentors and build a supportive network—connecting with others who understand your journey can provide guidance and encouragement. Remember, your diverse experiences are your superpowers!

Miri Kim, PA-C

Before Virginia Tech

• I was born in the automotive-industrial city of Flint, Michigan! Since then I traveled with my family to a few other cities and ultimately landed in Virginia Beach, VA where I consider it my hometown. My parents immigrated to the US in the mid 1970s from Korea looking for work and had high hopes for a better quality of life for the family. My father did various trade and labor work and my mother worked as a CNA /medical assistant in the nursing field. She received her vocational nursing degree in West Germany many years prior to living in the US, but unfortunately her experience didn't translate to an equivalent career once in the US. We grew up in a low income household where my parents had to work full time jobs just to make rent and have meals provided. We qualified for discounted school meals growing up, but my pride would prevent me from taking advantage of this.

What motivated me to go to college

• It was always instilled into my brothers and I to always work hard at school, summer jobs, volunteer work etc. Strong work ethic was ingrained in us. We always received the perfect attendance award when schools used to award students for this. We were encouraged to get the best grades possible in hopes to eventually get into a good college and have a better life. Grades, and extracurricular activities were my strength; with an emphasis on community service work as I was very active in church activities. Sports was not my strength-mainly because my parents never had the money or time to be able to support us. We also didn't have health insurance growing up which prevented me from doing anything that would get me injured.

How my background helped me

• Fast forward to my high school years and I submitted my college application to several schools. I was accepted to a handful of in-state schools in Virginia and ultimately had planned on going to Virginia Tech! There was only one challenge- I got pregnant during my senior year in high school (with my high school sweetheart). The challenges that this brought on was an experience that I can't possibly write in one short submission, but ultimately between myself, my boyfriend at the time (now husband of more than 20+years), and our families we decided that I would continue on as planned and go to Virginia Tech. My families supported and encouraged me to go while my husband and my mom (parents had divorced), and my in-laws all helped take care of Matthew (our son) while I traveled back and forth from school to home during weekends, holidays and summers. There were so many emotions that I had to process during that time, and the decision we made for me to start and finish at VT was one of the hardest decisions that I've ever had to make. My husband stayed locally in the Hampton Roads area and started at Old Dominion University during this same period. The common goal for both of us (with the support of our families) was to obtain our college degree so that we can have as many job opportunities as possible. My mother really was the one main supporter for me to pursue my degree as she knew that I wanted to do something in the healthcare field eventually and didn't want me to limit myself. I wanted to go to college and eventually be a doctor, or some career in medicine. I had to obtain my college degree and felt at that time it was even more important to start college so that I can make a better life for my son eventually. The sacrifice my mom and the rest of the family had to make for me to obtain my degree at VT was the ultimate gift... in fact I still owe my education to her to this day. Unfortunately during my junior year in college my mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Leukemia causing me to put my college on hold for a semester while my brothers and I helped take care of her for several months until she succumbed to her cancer in October of 1997. Her last request for us kids was to finish our college degrees when she passed. My younger brother and I returned after taking a semester off and both ended up finishing our VT degrees. I had enough college credit from my AP courses and dual enrollment classes to allow me to graduate on time-in 4 yrs and graduated in May of 1999. My older brother graduated from George Mason University. My mother never got to see me graduate from VT unfortunately.

The best thing about my college experience

• During my years at VT I took on various leadership roles as VP-PR at Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, leadership role for Operation Smile club, and was active with various service projects. All of these roles helped me develop life skills that eventually helped me even after graduating. I developed leadership skills, communication skills, confidence, and a general understanding of how to work with people of all backgrounds. I tried to build upon my experiences as much as I could to help propel me into a career where I can support myself (and family) financially. After graduating with my Biology degree/minor in Chemistry I worked and had a successful career in Pharmaceutical Sales for several years until I felt a strong calling to switch careers. After several years of preparation (and retaking core science classes) I was accepted to Eastern Virginia Medical School's (EVMS) Physician Assistant program. I have now been practicing as a PA in Emergency Medicine in Northern Virginia for the past 7 years! (My brother who also graduated from VT is also an Emergency Medicine PA!) To this day I am forever grateful for the support of my husband, my mom, and the rest of the family. I understand the sacrifice that they had to endure to get me to where I am in life now.

What I would tell my freshman self

• I reflect quite often on what my life would have been like if I took a different path and realize my life would/could be so very different. If I could tell my freshman self anything it would be this- Never give up. No matter what challenges life throws at you-Dream BIG, and Imagine the Unimaginable. I love motivational quotes and in writing this submission I googled and found this great quote by Booker T Washington. It summarizes the wisdom that I would pass on to my younger self: "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." As a freshman (and your college life) you will have lots of obstacles to overcome; stay focused and you will overcome them. Believe in yourself! I would have never in a million years thought I would end up where I am and it's only by the grace of God.

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• The biggest advice that I have to all the First Generation students at VT is to use all the resources that are given to you. Unfortunately we are at a disadvantage in many ways and have a lot more hurdles to overcome than the typical student that comes from several generations of college educated families. VT has this phenomenal organization to help you, and there are alumni out there that have gone through what you're going through that are also there to help. Network as much as you can with those alumni while you are a student now! Ask to shadow, or learn from those adults about their careers. Create a timeline of events and set goals. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Take initiative and find out how they are successful. You can learn a lot from others!

Dr. Stacey Wilkerson

Before Virginia Tech

• Before I was a Hokie, I worked in a number of student centered roles at Longwood University, also my alma mater.

What motivated me to go to college

• Two things motivated me to go to college. First, I always wanted to be a teacher which meant I needed to go to college. Secondly, I was curious about what was beyond my small town life (which was wonderful), but I wanted to know more about the world.

What I would tell my freshman self

• I would tell my new student self to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. You worked hard to get here, and you were admitted into college on that hard work. Trust yourself, enjoy your time, and have a little fun along the way.

How my background helped me

• I grew up on a farm and my parents ran their own business. My mom used to say that the key word in self-employment is “self.” We worked very hard, got stuff done, and were very self-reliant. Things didn’t always go as planned. My background helped me to be resilient, to work hard, and to be self-reliant.

The best thing about my college experience

• My worldview was narrow. College opened so many opportunities and possibilities.

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• Rely on your resourcefulness and determination to overcome obstacles. Read your academic catalog. Get involved with at least one organization or group that is of interest to you. Find a first-gen advocate and invite them to coffee. If that person says no or doesn’t respond, ask someone else.

Elizabeth Owusu

Before Virginia Tech

• I grew up in Fredericksburg Virginia and graduated high school in 2018. I am an older sister and I was the first person in my family to go to college. I originally almost withdrew my application from Virginia Tech because I did not think I could get in and I did not want to see the rejection letter. I’m so glad I didn’t because I could not imagine going to college anywhere else!

What motivated me to go to college

• Higher education was highly emphasized in my family from a young age, and I knew pretty early that I wanted to do something in the legal field. A presentation given by the Innocence Project during my sophomore year of college solidified that passion.

What I would tell my freshman self

• Wow, I get emotional thinking about freshman year Elizabeth. She was so scared and hesitant. But, I would tell her to not be afraid to ask questions and step out of her comfort zone. I did not get plugged into the first-generation community until my sophomore year of college, so I missed out on all the amazing resources it had to help students. Once I was no longer afraid of looking like I didn’t have it all figured out, I was able to succeed academically and socially. I would also tell her to enjoy college! Work on that Hokie bucket list! Blacksburg is such a special place, two years post-grad I still say that it was my home and there is no place like home.

How my background helped me

• My background taught me to be resilient. Being a first generation college student, there were a lot of things I did not know, and the people around me weren’t properly equipped to help me. I needed to take initiative to find answers and also be okay with adapting when things didn't go as planned. My background also taught me not to let the fear of rejection keep me from applying for new opportunities.

The best thing about my college experience

• There were so many things it's so hard to choose! But, if I had to choose, I would say the best thing about my college experience was being around community all the time. Looking back, I would not be where I am today without the friends and mentors in college who encouraged me constantly. There is nothing like living within 5 min distance of your closest friends!

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• I would say to walk proudly with the title of first generation student, and not to be ashamed of it. The sooner you embrace it, the sooner you will be able to make an impact on campus because that aspect of your identity opens doors.

Dr. Tim Saarinen

Before Virginia Tech

• At the risk of making a short story long, I was born in Canada to a family of Finnish war refugees. My mom spoke English, but the rest of the family did not, so I started school speaking only Finnish. No one in my direct family had completed a high school education and earning one’s living was expected at 16. This held true for me as well. My family was supportive, and I was prepared to earn my living through many skill sets which I had learned while growing up. These included carpentry, painting, professional moving, and music. My parents and I moved to Florida when I was 13 where I completed high school and received my BS in Chemistry from Florida Atlantic University followed by a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a Post-doctoral fellowship at Cornell University. Chemistry was fascinating and I was fortunate enough to receive a partial scholarship as an undergraduate which allowed me to work part-time while studying and I received some excellent career advice from several of my professors. This included the knowledge that graduate students in many of the STEM fields receive stipends that are sufficient to cover education and living expenses. While at Cornell, I was recruited by Varian’s analytical instruments division to become an Application Chemist. I decided to try it and my life shifted again. I enjoyed the type of teamwork, problem solving, and focused science that goes into industrial new product development. I enrolled in an MBA program, learned project management skills with a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma, and participated regularly in many training programs to continue my education and growth while having the opportunity of moving into a number of management and leadership positions at several companies over a period of 30 years. I retired and after 2 years, I realized that I wanted to continue to contribute in a larger way than was possible in retirement. Coincidentally, Virginia Tech Department of Chemistry was looking for a Chemistry Professor of Practice specifically with extensive industry experience, significant teaching knowledge, and a chemistry background. The time at Virginia Tech advising, teaching, and identifying experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students has allowed me to continue to learn and contribute to the success of students.

What motivated me to go to college

• Learning and applying that knowledge has always been a significant driving force for me. When I learned about a topic in school or at home, I would go to the library and find books where I could learn more. I would sometimes get in trouble for not working at home so it may have been my rebellious side that drove me to learn. My choice of going to college was not clearcut and I had relatively little advice about what it would be like or where to apply. Many of my high school teachers encouraged me to continue my education and I decided to apply. Florida Atlantic University offered me an academic scholarship and, the recognition that I could manage college while working part-time and not accruing debt ultimately helped me decide. I have always considered the choice of going to college as pivotal for my future.

What I would tell my freshman self

• I did not learn to study properly in high school. The material in high school was of interest and covered at a pace that did not require much additional study time. Learning study skills and recognizing how different my approach needed to be would have made my first year of college much less stressful. Allocating time, utilizing office hours and recitations, utilizing different learning strategies such as writing out the materials, flash cards, and problem-solving strategies were all methods I learned ‘the hard way’ as I survived my first year in college.

How my background helped me

• There are several benefits which I received from my early experiences. 1. The first was a priority on necessities and recognizing that continuing education is a privilege, not a burden. 2. The second was the ability to prioritize my time and effort; it is impossible to do everything and utilizing time effectively was critical, even in my childhood. 3. Having diverse cultural and life experiences is an opportunity to recognize the power of a diverse team to create something greater than any individual can accomplish. 4. There were times when I needed to step back and give room for myself, a self-awareness that we are all very finite and human.

The best thing about my college experience

• The best thing about my college experience was the recognition of how little I know and how much there is to learn and how much I can learn by sharing experiences with others. I have grown so much through learning from my colleagues and friends, who share a passion for learning, contributing to society, and personal growth.

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• Let me define a superpower called ‘endo-noumenal-hyper-drive’ just for fun! I believe that all first-gen students have this special ability. It is an internal (endo) capability that cannot be taken away and it is an idea (noumenal) to improve, grow, and contribute through stepping into a new world that is outside of the comfort zone. First-gen students have surpassed many hurdles and are internally motivated. While parents and family may have encouraged first-gen students to continue school, it is usually not an expectation or a demand, so first-gen students have a fundamental desire to do and learn more (hyper-drive). My creative side couldn’t resist defining a super-power so use your endo-noumenal-hyper-drive and soar!

Rommelyn Coffren

Before Virginia Tech

• Whew, how far do I go?! I was born in the Philippines to two Filipino immigrants. We moved to California when I was four because my dad was in the U.S. Navy. We moved around quite a bit during my childhood, ultimately landing in Virginia for my dad’s last duty station. My parents preferred that I attend Old Dominion University for college because it’s 20 minutes from our family home in Virginia Beach, but I had my sights on a bigger school and a little farther away. Fast forward, two degrees (my bachelor’s and master’s) and a decade or so later, we’re still at Virginia Tech.

What motivated me to go to college

• I’ve always been a high academic achiever and I wanted to be the first in my family to go.

What I would tell my freshman self

• Enjoy the process and every experience available. Plans do not always go according to plan and that’s ok. It’s part of the beauty of it all.

The best thing about my college experience

• Friendships and mentorships forged; relationships that are still ongoing even now.

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• Your inexperience isn’t a bad thing. Use it to your advantage.

Dr. Gabby Mccollum

Before Virginia Tech

• Undergrad at Florida Gulf Coast University. Masters from Virginia Tech. Doctoral program from Georgia Southern University. My professional and technical background is in Collegiate Recreation.

What motivated me to go to college

• I had a notion that anyone who was successful was either a “star” (singers, actors, athletes, etc.) and for those who didn’t have that gift, college would be the way to be successful. I went to grad school because in undergrad a mentor educated me about the possibilities that a master could give me for my career.

What I would tell my freshman self

• “Own your identities exactly as they are”.

How my background helped me

• I am able to see the things through multiple identities. Being first-gen, immigrant, a woman, and Latina, I see the world through a very unique perspective.

The best thing about my college experience

• Self-understanding!

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• Ask the questions! I was always worried about “looking dumb” that I failed to ask questions that could have propelled me into other opportunities. I am grateful that my mentor helped me figured this out and that she afforded me some many opportunities.

Jason Johnson

Before Virginia Tech

• I grew up in a small rural community in Bedford County, Virginia. My parents didn’t go to college, but their dream was that I would have the educational opportunities they didn’t have when they were younger. They always encouraged my academic interests and extracurricular activities as a gateway to higher education. Ultimately, I was accepted to Lynchburg College, a small liberal arts college where I majored in Political Science. Even though LC was a small school less than an hour’s drive from home, I felt out of place initially. It wasn’t until my French professor, Dr. Robert White, reached out to me to have a one-on-one conversation that I started to feel at home at LC. Dr. White helped me to see that while the professors, staff, and students weren’t exactly like the people I knew at home, they still cared about me as a person and wanted to see me achieve great things. I remember seeing Dr. White one last time on the morning of graduation; he had a look of pride in his eyes as if he remembered that scared, overwhelmed freshmen he mentored four years earlier. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents and caring mentors like Dr. White who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

What motivated me to go to college

• When I was in fourth grade, my social studies teacher asked me to play the defense attorney for a mock trial in our class. I fell in love with the role and decided that I wanted to be a real attorney when I grew up. My neighbor—who was an attorney-turned-teacher himself—became a mentor to me and reminded me that I would need a college degree to attend law school. Even though my initial motivation to attend college was strictly career-based, I loved college once I got settled in! I loved learning new things, having conversations and debates about significant issues, and getting to know people I would’ve never had the opportunity to meet if I hadn’t gone to college.

What I would tell my freshman self

• I would reassure my freshman self that all the fears and anxieties that I’m feeling are perfectly normal. In fact, most people are feeling the same exact way…even if they don’t acknowledge it. You DO belong here, you WILL succeed, and EVERYTHING will work out in the end, just try to relax and enjoy the journey, and the friends you’ll make along the way!

How my background helped me

• When I was very young, my cousin Elizabeth got engaged. Elizabeth and her fiancée asked me to serve as the ring bearer in their wedding, to which I excitedly agreed. My parents sat down to have a serious conversation with me before they relayed my answer. I clearly remember my mom telling me that it was fine if I wanted to do it, but once I commit to something, people are counting on me and I can’t let them down. (I went forward with the commitment and stood up front with the wedding party for the entire ceremony.) I believe I internalized that conversation because once I commit to doing something, I will do everything in my power to keep it, even if it means working late or weekends, or sacrificing social time with friends and family to honor my commitments. When something happens and I can’t honor my commitments, it truly upsets me. This determination to honor my commitments was the motivation I needed to get through the most difficult days of undergrad.

The best thing about my college experience

• I loved everything about college (I mean, I work at a university now so obviously it’s a special place to me), but there was something special about the intellectual stimulation of my classes. I enjoyed learning new things and having deep conversations with my professors and classmates about topics that we were all passionate about. That was an experience I never really had in high school and, frankly, it rarely happens after graduation. Enjoy the opportunity to be surrounded by people who are fascinated by the same topics and ideas as you are.

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• I would encourage all First Gen students to embrace the journey! Yes, college can feel overwhelming at times. You’re in a new environment and surrounded by new people who might seem very different from your family and friends back home, but you’re exactly in the place you need to be in this moment. Take advantage of every new opportunity that comes your way because you never know when one of these opportunities will open a door to your destiny! If I hadn’t taken a chance on an unexpected opportunity, I wouldn’t be doing a job I love at America’s greatest public university. You never know where the future will lead!

Dr. DeAnna Katey

Before Virginia Tech

• I was born and raised in the birthplace of The Greatest (not me… lol), Muhammad Ali, in Louisville, Kentucky to a single mother of 4. I was initially accepted into Columbia College Chicago as a musical theater major with a pedagogy concentration, I decided that I wanted to teach musical theater. Unfortunately, due to some clerical errors, my housing fell through, and I was no longer able to attend in the fall, so I decided to attend community college. After my first full year of attending community college, I transferred to Clarion University of Pennsylvania (now Penn Western University of Clarion) and earned degrees in Secondary Education Social Studies (BSE) and Curriculum and Instruction (MEd). After completing my master’s degree, I attended Morgan State University where I earned my PhD in Higher Education Administration.

What motivated me to go to college

• Growing up seeing my mother struggle to make ends meet was a driving force in my desire to attend college. I wanted to make sure that I did everything I could to be successful so that I did not have to go through the things my mother did. I also wanted to make my family proud of me.

What I would tell my freshman self

• Do not be afraid to ask for help.

How my background helped me

• My background gave me the push I needed to keep moving forward. Whenever I hit a brick wall, I did what I needed to do to get over it and move forward.

The best thing about my college experience

• Getting to meet people from all walks of life. I met lifelong friends in college. I also grew up in college. I opened myself to new experiences and pushed myself harder than I thought possible.

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• Being the first in your family will inspire them to do what they may have thought impossible.

Amanda Leckner

Before Virginia Tech

• I grew up in Northern, Virginia and graduated from Oakton High School. A huge part of my childhood and who I was, was that I was a Girl Scout. I was a Girl Scout for over 13 years and earned my Gold Award. My Gold Award project was grounded in promoting foreign language efficacy in the American youth where I hosted a Korean Language and Cultural immersion camp for elementary schoolers in Fairfax County Public Schools. I did this for my project because I gained a passion for foreign language learning and advocated for reforming the way foreign languages were taught in schools. That is why I knew at the time that when I entered college, I wanted to major in something related to international affairs, and I would later major in National Security and Foreign Affairs and earn a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Virginia Tech in December 2023.

What motivated me to go to college

• Family has always been at the center of my identity, and as a First-Generation College Student, going to college was something that my mother always had stressed the importance of and how it could positively impact me and my sibling’s future, especially because she never had the opportunity to go to college herself.

What I would tell my freshman self

• I would tell my freshman self to be patient because while it may take some time, you will eventually find your community so do not be afraid to reach out to the support systems and people around you because those who you meet and get to know might positively impact you.

The best thing about my college experience

• The best thing about my college experience, without a doubt are the people and relationships I had the opportunity to meet and build. I was able to meet, learn and grow from the people I got to encounter in the various communities I got to be a part of like the FGSS team, the Disability Alliance, and the Mozaiko Living Learning-Learning community. I personally owe a lot of my success in college to the people I was able to interact and work with and consider many to be some of my life-long mentors and friends.

What secret would you share about using “first-gen superpowers”?

• A crucial part of the first-generation community at Virginia Tech is the idea of the first-generation superpower. I think the amazing thing about the first-generation superpower is that it is and can be unique to every first-generation student and is inherently an opportunity for self-reflection and celebration of oneself and their first-generation identity. Furthermore, that the beauty of the first-generation superpower is that it can be everchanging with who you are. Make sure to take a moment to reflect and celebrate who you are; and who you are becoming as you go through not only your college experience, but through life.