Being the first in a family to attend college can come with challenges and uncertainty. For many first-generation students, the experience means navigating unfamiliar territory while pursuing academic and personal success.
At the University of Southern Mississippi, students like DaNya Richard said the journey can be difficult without family members who have gone through college before.
“Me personally I talk to my mom about everything, so not being able to call her and ask her questions about certain things because she never experienced anything like this,” Richard said. “To navigate without her was a very challenging thing for me.”
Support programs on campus, however, help students like Richard find their footing.
“TRIO, that was my first organization that I did join,” Richard said.
She also joined Eagle First and Eagles After Similar Yearnings, two student organizations that assist first-generation students at USM.
While several organizations played a role in her college experience, Richard said TRIO provided the most guidance. The program, known formally as TRIO Student Support Services, assists first-generation, income-eligible, and disabled students.
According to the program’s mission, TRIO aims to increase college success, retention, and graduation rates by offering free resources and fostering an inclusive community. Services include grant aid scholarships, financial coaching, skills workshops, peer mentorship, and a computer lab with free printing.
Dr. Adina Green, director of TRIO Student Support Services at USM, said the program is designed to help students recognize their strengths and build resilience.
“The program provides students with the needed academic community and community of support that helps them to recognize their strengths and pull on their resilience,” Green said. “If there are no other places they can go and ask questions they know they can come to TRIO.”
TRIO is located in Room 109 of Cook Library and operates Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The program accepts both paper and electronic applications.
For student Cameron Ingram, support from campus programs helped him grow personally and academically.
“Growing up, I was always like the quiet kid. I didn’t want to step outside my comfort zone,” Ingram said. “But now that I am in college I’m able to speak and have conversations with people and introduce myself to people.”
Richard encouraged other first-generation students to stay focused on their goals.
“Keep going,” Richard said. “It may get hard, it may get tough just always remember you are here for remember your why.”
Ingram added that stepping outside one’s comfort zone can lead to growth and connection.
“Do things that you are uncomfortable with,” he said. “Get out there. You never know who you’re going to meet.”
