Paving the way as a first-generation student

Strength through the sister programs 

TCU is home to two of the eight TRIO Programs that are federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. TRIO is a group of student outreach and support programs that have initiatives designed to identify and serve individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Although TRIO is not primarily for first-generation students, a large number served at TCU fall under that category. The program's target is to “serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs,” according to the U.S. Department of Education website. 

Student Support Services (SSS) and the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program (​​McNair Scholars Program) are “sister programs,” as Director of Student Support Services, Cynthia Montes, likes to call them. 

The McNair Scholars Program has been active at TCU since its establishment in 1989. The program honors the legacy of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, an astronaut and physicist who was tragically killed in 1986 in the Challenger explosion. Alongside honoring McNair’s excellence, the primarily post-baccalaureate program helps qualified students earn a doctoral degree. Typically, students join the program in their sophomore year with the goal of getting their Ph.D. once they graduate.

Although the program supports around 28 students, “all TCU students are welcome to attend our events or meet with our office if they are interested in learning more about graduate school, even if they are not official participants in the program,” said Lani Ahmed, graduate assistant for the McNair Scholars Program.

The support of this program goes forward to “increase the number of undergraduate students earning doctoral degrees who are lesser-income and first-generation, or who come from communities underrepresented in graduate education,” according to the TCU College of Education website.  

A few years later, in 1997, SSS joined the TCU campus with the aim to support 160 eligible participants a year, increase graduation and retention rates and create an atmosphere in support of the success of first-generation, lesser-income and students with disability. An effort similar to the McNair program just focused on a different group.

The TRIO programs together provide academic support, research opportunities, mentoring, enrichment activities, interpersonal and relationship-building subgroups and grant aid.

“But the biggest thing I think when we talk about it with staff is we really wanna create a sense of belonging,” Montes said. “We try to create a space where students can come let their hair down, ask the questions that maybe they were more reluctant to ask in class or in one-on-ones with their faculty.” 

Getting students to college is one thing; keeping them there is another. According to a QuadC article, tuition costs and lack of support are a few of the top issues for students who consider leaving an institution. This data supports why the efforts behind the support programs are so important for eligible students.

“Over and over again, over the years, students will tell me like, this is where I can come and be me,” Montes said.

Trailblazers 

TCU’s first-generation support programs have shaped many student experiences, and this influence is best shown through the students whom they support. 

Corey Blake Townsend, a junior sports broadcasting major, did not know a lot about TCU in the beginning until he went on a tour and realized, “I actually love this place.” Townsend’s motivation to go to college sparked because he knew he wanted better for himself and to give back to his family. That’s what fuels his fire, he said. 

In high school, Townsend was a part of the Upward Bound program, and once he began his TCU experience, he joined SSS.

“TCU has helped so much, not just like with scholarship and aid, but like also providing all their resources,” Townsend said. “Even though it does cost a lot to go here. I know, like, I'm always gonna have a meal… if I need anything, I can always go ask someone to get help.”

Townsend mentioned he is “really grateful for TCU 'cause they were able to give me a lot of need-based scholarship and aid.” Since he is not just first-generation, but comes from a low-income household, Townsend works hard as a resident assistant to get his board covered and relieve more financial stress. His family was hesitant about him attending TCU, but now, “we all bleed purple,” he said. And being first-generation, “my family's able to live like vicariously through me.” 

“I feel like I've been very successful, like using all the resources we have here on campus,” Townsend said. “Either it's just...the normal writing center or the math clinic, anything like that. But also the student support services, like all the workshops that they provide for us.”

Townsend plans to work for a major sports team or company as a producer working live events in the control room. “I feel like TCU has done an amazing job of making sure that I can actually do that later on in life as a career,” he said.

David Duong, a junior political science major, was born in Vietnam. Neither of his parents finished elementary school, but he saw the importance of education. When Duong moved to the United States in 2016, he realized that he was doing well in school and wanted to see how far he could go with his education. Duong discovered TCU in middle school and said he did not think it could ever be a possibility because of the cost, but his dream came true when he was granted a full-ride scholarship. 

Now, he is a part of the Community Scholars program, where he gives credit to the directors and community because, “I would not be where [I am] today without that,” Duong said. Currently, Duong is in Washington, D.C., interning for a non-profit program for legal services to low-income residents. This was made possible because of the Community Scholars program paying his way. 

Duong was also accepted into and found support through the SSS and McNair Scholars programs. Duong pushed himself to “see what is out there and what is impossible.” He plans to attend graduate school and said TCU has been great in providing him with so many resources and support to lean on.

Although TCU has many resources specific to first-generation support, there are other ways for these students to make their way. Senior marketing and communication double major, Charity Ketu applied herself to many extracurriculars on campus instead of using the support programs, like the Student Government Association, Neeley Fellows and the Chancellor’s Host program– all selective, professional groups.

“I think I just got involved in so much so soon that I didn't necessarily have the bandwidth to engage in those [first-gen support] programs as well,” Ketu said.

Ketu is from Cameroon in Central Africa and came to the United States when she was 15. She said navigating school was a challenge because her mother spoke French, not English. However, with siblings also pursuing higher education, she was able to lean on them for support and guidance. 

“I am a firm believer in that our experiences shape our perspectives, and so whether it's being a first-generation student, whether it's being an African student, international student, it all provides a certain perspective,” said Ketu when asked if being first-generation gives her a different perspective. “It helps me not miss class for the sake of missing class. It helps me stay on top of my assignments, actually taking the time to learn what I'm studying in class, 'cause I perceive it as a privilege to be in all the classes that I am in and to learn the things that I'm able to learn. And so having that perspective definitely comes from the fact that I didn't necessarily grow up with parents that could help me with homework.”

Ketu said, “ being aware of the resources available, at least [at] TCU that I could leverage in order to help me fill the gaps that my upbringing wasn't necessarily able to cover,” was important.