First-Generation Student, Faculty, and Staff Chronicles

First-Generation Faculty and Staff Chronicles

Nickolas Atlas, Director of Student Services, College of Health

When in your life did obtaining a college education become a goal for you? Why was it so important?

In eighth grade, we went to Washington, D.C., for a school field trip, and I immediately knew it was where I belonged. I remember saying to myself, “I have to go to college here.” Both of my parents had always encouraged me to go to college, and it was never really a question of if I would go, but where. In high school, it clearly became my goal to get into a college in Washington, D.C., because that is where I wanted to live. It was important to me because I knew early on that I wanted to work in education, and a college degree was required. I was fortunate to have the full support of my parents and achieved my goal of being accepted into The Catholic University of America, and lived in D.C. for 14 years. A dream come true!

What were some of your biggest challenges as a first-generation student as you began your college career? How did you navigate those challenges?

The biggest challenges for me were that there were zero resources at my institution for first-generation students. I also couldn’t ask my parents for help because they had no knowledge of how higher education worked. I didn’t know what any office names were, like a “Provost” or “Registrar,” so I literally had to Google them. I also didn’t have a traditional academic advisor, but rather a faculty advisor who simply picked out my courses for the first year. Partially because it is my personality, but also because I think most first-generation students have this attitude, I took it upon myself to investigate A LOT. If no one was going to help me, I was going to find out everything on my own. I made sure to find the requirements for my degree, minors, general academic policies, etc. This isn’t to say I didn’t struggle. In fact, I struggled particularly with my academics in my first year, and I didn’t have anyone to advise me on how to study, or if I should retake a course. Most, if not all, of my friends were not first-generation students, and therefore, I felt I couldn’t lean on them for support. Despite being in my favorite city, I was also challenged by being so far away from home. I navigated all of these challenges by just pushing through and not giving up.

What were some qualities and experiences you brought with you to college to helped you succeed?

I can be a very stubborn and determined person. I could have easily dropped out of college because of the lack of support the university offered me. I was clearly floundering my first year. Would that happen in 2023? No. They’ve implemented a lot more resources since I was a student. I owe it to my parents for the continued support they gave me, in addition to my personal determination for not wanting to give up.

Tell us about your proudest moment/s as a college student.

It simply was graduating and knowing I did it essentially all on my own. I basically picked out all of the courses for my major and found a way to triple minor. I remember walking on the steps of our Basilica, shaking hands with our dean while holding my diploma and looking out into the crowd seeing my parents hold up a huge banner that read, “Congrats Nick Atlas, we love you!” That was my proudest moment as a college student.

What was your family’s reaction when you earned your first college degree?

Everyone was extremely proud, particularly my parents. Several family members, including my parents and grandmother, all traveled from Connecticut to attend the graduation ceremony.

Attending to the needs of first-generation students is a major point of emphasis at Ball State. What are some impactful ways you’ve seen this area addressed in your position on campus?

We have First-Generation Day on Nov. 8, where we recognize all of our first-generation college students at a reception. Several other offices and colleges also contribute with their own events. I think this is really wonderful because when a first-gen student sees a faculty or staff member and other students who share this identity, they become part of this special community. Recognizing and celebrating are extremely important!

What is one piece of advice you would share with first-generation students preparing to attend Ball State, or in their first year at the University?

Identify the support services that your university provides. If you find they are lacking in any areas, don’t be afraid to ask questions and do your own research. Ask for clarification on things. Be your own advocate if you need to! Fortunately, Ball State does a wonderful job supporting our first-generation students!

Dr. Adam Beach, Dean of the Graduate School and Professor of English, College of Sciences and Humanities

When in your life did obtaining a college education become a goal for you? Why was it so important?

My father worked in the skilled trades in a Buick plant in Flint, Mich., where I grew up, and he always emphasized to me the importance of going to college. My parents wanted me to have other career opportunities besides the auto factories in our hometown.

What were some of your biggest challenges as a first-generation student as you began your college career? How did you navigate those challenges?

I was lucky to grow up in a house with readers (my mom and grandmother always had a book in their hands) and an emphasis on hard work and attaining higher education. However, my family wasn’t always thrilled to learn about the ideas I was exploring in my classes, even though they always supported me and were super proud of me as I went through school and eventually obtained my Ph.D. If you are having difficulty translating what you are learning in college to your family members who did not go to college, I think this is normal. I had to navigate and code-switch a lot, and ended up not talking a whole lot about my studies when I was at home.

What were some qualities and experiences you brought with you to college to help you succeed?

My family always emphasized hard work, and my father worked long hours without complaint. I think I brought that hard-working, blue-collar mentality to my academic work and would stick with difficult assignments and classes even when I did not feel like working or wanted to give up. If my dad never complained about doing hard physical labor in a plant, then I decided I would not allow myself to slack off in my own academic work. Thankfully, I was able to become very successful in college, and much of that was due to the hard-working habits instilled in me by my family.

Tell us about your proudest moment/s as a college student.

I played baseball for all four years at Adrian College and managed to graduate with a 4.0 GPA. I am most proud of those two achievements and the way I was able to balance these different parts of the college experience. In my junior year, I also met my wife, Lynnette, and we have been married for almost 28 years. I will always be grateful to Adrian College as the place where I met the love of my life.

What was your family’s reaction when you earned your first college degree?

They were thrilled, and they also were especially excited that I decided to go on and get my master’s degree (and eventually my doctorate). I could not have made it through all of my schooling without the support of my family! They thought it was pretty cool to have a “doctor” in the family, even if I wasn’t one of the medical docs.

Attending to the needs of first-generation students is a major point of emphasis at Ball State. What are some impactful ways you’ve seen this area addressed in your position on campus?

I am really proud of the Graduate School’s administration of The Pathways Project, which offers mentoring, programming, and community to first-generation college and graduate students. If you are a first-generation student and need support, you should check out Pathways and see if the program might be just what you need!

What is one piece of advice you would share with first-generation students preparing to attend Ball State, or in their first year at the University?

I grew up in a very tight-knit family and community, and, in many ways, it was difficult for me to leave and go away to school. I remember that, after the first year at Adrian, I wanted to come back home and go to school in Flint. My parents really encouraged me to go back for my sophomore year and to give it more time, and that really did the trick. I think it can be hard to take on new opportunities in new places when nobody in your family has done something similar and cannot help guide you in making the transitions. My advice would be to stick with it when times are tough, especially if you are feeling homesick. I am so glad that I continued with my studies and learned how to be independent. It has made all the difference in my life

Tréon McClendon, Director of Student Success, College of Communication, Information and Media

When in your life did obtaining a college education become a goal for you? Why was it so important?

In light of my life experiences, I opted to seek a college education during my senior year of high school. I knew it could improve my life and social capital, so I knew I wanted to take this leap next in my life. Furthermore, because I did not apply to college until the second semester of my senior year, I missed every deadline, and lucked out after being a Lilly recipient, so the sky was the limit from there. This was about to be a game changer for my family, community, and everyone else I touched. This was the life adjustment I needed to persevere and become the best version of myself.

What were some of your biggest challenges as a first-generation student as you began your college career? How did you navigate those challenges?

As a first-generation student, some of my most difficult hurdles were overcoming financial worries, support, imposter syndrome, and family buy-in. I suffered a lot from this during my first year of college because I knew nothing about college and had no one to lean on. It was not until I decided to get active on campus with New Student Orientation and the Groups Scholars program that I realized what I was interested in and why I was going to college in the first place. This is also where I found my support system and connections, which have been crucial for my success and purpose in assisting others. This is how I navigated these difficulties.

What were some qualities and experiences you brought with you to college to help you succeed?

For as long as I can remember, I have been a creative visionary. For myself, I would say that I brought to college my confidence, open-mindedness, very confident, goal-driven, relational, and tenacity, which set me up for success in anything I set my mind to. My college experience has made me a better person.

Tell us about your proudest moment/s as a college student.

My proudest moment as a college student was graduating and watching my late grandmother from the crowd as I delivered the graduation address. I knew I had made my grandmother and family proud because my grandmother's education did not extend beyond the sixth grade. This was one of my happiest moments throughout my undergraduate career.

What was your family’s reaction when you earned your first college degree?

My family was overcome with emotion. They had no idea what to expect and were simply delighted that I had reached such a significant milestone in my life. I recall my mother yelling and screaming with joy because I had defied the odds and paved the road for many others to follow in my footsteps. My family was supportive and welcomed this new chapter in our lives.

Attending to the needs of first-generation students is a major point of emphasis at Ball State. What are some impactful ways you’ve seen this area addressed in your position on campus?

CCIM's leadership is dedicated to student success, which is critical for assisting first-generation students in flying beyond uncertainty. Our dean is deeply devoted to empowering our students' achievement and working to remove any impediments to reducing the opportunity gap, which helps me in executing in supporting students in my current role. I am new to the University, so seeing it happening in our work to promote our students' holistic success has been motivating. My work as director of student success contains all of the characteristics required to assist first-generation students in succeeding, fostering a sense of belonging that ties our students to the University, and engages them in immersive learning.

What is one piece of advice you would share with first-generation students preparing to attend Ball State, or in their first year at the University?

To imagine and never stop dreaming. If your dreams do not frighten you, you are not dreaming big enough. Never accept no for an answer since you can achieve anything you set your mind to, so prepare and write out your goals. You have a place here and will succeed! Nothing worthwhile in life comes easily. You belong!!