Nadia Eslinger
Director/Adjunct Professor, Advisor of UCA’s F1RSTs!, BEAR Life
BA, History, University of Georgia
MSE, College Student Personnel Administration, UCA
EdD, Higher Education Leadership, Maryville University 2023
Being the first to go, stay, and graduate (twice) in my family opened doors for my cousins, nieces, and nephews. It made them believe that if I could, they could, and they did! I didn’t have it all figured out, but I asked questions and was determined to graduate! My grandfather always told me, “A closed mouth never gets fed.” Ask for what you need!
Dylan McLemore
Associate Professor, School of Communication
BS, Public Relations, Mississippi College 2008
MS, Communication, Mississippi College 2010
PhD, Communication & Information Science, University of Alabama, 2015
I wanted to be a sports broadcaster. I knew I needed a degree but had no idea how to get to college, or what I was supposed to do when I arrived. Then I realized I wasn’t alone – everyone was trying to figure out who they were and who they wanted to become. I fell in love with that sense of community and it became my career (though I do enjoy dusting off the ol’ microphone to cover the Bears!).
Angela Webster
Chief Diversity Officer / AVP for IDI; Associate Professor of Leadership Studies
BBA – Human Resources Management – University of Memphis
MS – Higher Education Curriculum & Instruction – University of Memphis
PhD – Educational Psychology & Research University of Memphis
The collegiate experience was life-altering for me. Getting to know people from all over my state, the nation, and the world was fascinating! Considering all that UCA has to offer, don’t just go through college, allow college to go through you!
Odunola Oyeniyi
Assistant Professor – Leadership Studies
B.Ed., Education/Geography, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, 2007
M.Sc., Counseling and Guidance, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 2016
Ph.D., Counselor Education, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 2019
I am happy for not giving up on my dreams, and I count my blessings every day for the opportunities my parents have given me for doing everything in their power to sponsor me for my first degree, which set the foundation for me to be where I am today. I am proud to be a role model to young family members to help them focus on their future goals.
Please feel free to seek help when you are overwhelmed. It can be hard to communicate with parents or family members about some of the challenges first-generation students face at college as they do not understand it because they have not lived it. It’s not indicating that you’re weak, not well prepared, or don’t belong when you ask for help. Everybody needs help of some sort.
James “Jim” Guinee
BS, Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 1987
MS, Counseling Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 1991
PhD, Counseling Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 1994
You should be proud of taking this giant step within your family system, but never think you’re doing this alone — there are many people including at this institution who can relate to your experience and ALL of them want you to succeed, whatever that winds up looking like.
Kerry Barnett
Assistant Professor – Chemistry
BS, Mississippi State University 2013
PhD, Chemistry, University of Alabama 2017
I did not realize that I was a first generation student until after I completed my degrees. It is interesting to reflect and recognize some of the challenges I faced in my studies and how those may be related to being a first generation student. My advice to students is to share their story and get connected by seeking out resources. Talk to professors, we chose this profession because we are passionate about education and our students and want to help them learn and succeed.
Victoria Groves-Scott
Dean – College of Education
BA, Drury University 1985
MA, University of Missouri-Kansas City 1989
EdD University of Kansas 1995
If you encounter difficulties, reach out to your faculty. They are here to make sure you are successful. Use their office hours and make connections with the faculty.
Qifeng Wu
Assistant Professor – Accounting
PhD, University of Texas at El Paso 2020
Confidence is the key being first gen student, there is nothing more to make your parents proud of you by telling them that you earned you College degree with your hard working and their support. This is the motivation when you having some difficulties while studying, thinking of your parents.
Thomas Bruick
Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator – Leadership Studies
B.B.A, Marketing, 2007, UCA
M.S., College Student Personnel Administration, 2009, UCA
Ph.D. Human & Educational Resources with an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership, 2019, Colorado State University
It still feels a little strange to hear “Dr. Bruick.” The product of a hardworking blue-collar family, I never dreamed of getting a Ph.D. I simply fell in love with learning, which I paired with the work ethic I learned from my family. Despite a good K-12 education, my college experience was bumpy as a first gen student. I missed financial aid deadlines, sat in the advising office for a day after missing the scheduling deadline (I thought they took care of it for you), and almost lost some financial aid due to my academic performance. A pivotal interaction came from an unexpected source during my first semester, Dr. Theman Taylor my American Nations instructor (everyone was scared of him). Dr. Taylor helped pulled back the curtain on higher education, and I learned that the most challenging faculty members can also be the most supportive.
Leticia de la Garza
Instructional Designer – Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning
BA, 1995, Sam Houston State University
MA, 2009, University of Texas Arlington
Keep going. Even if you feel that you don’t have a clear path or an end goal, just put one foot in front of the other and make the best decisions for yourself today. Seek out the advice of others, but know that, ultimately, you know your ambition and ability best. Surround yourself with people that believe in you, cheer you on, keep you positive and on the track that you seek. Remember where you come from and don’t forget to look back to appreciate the distance you’ve traveled and the people (and experiences!) that helped you get there!
Dwayne Coleman
Associate Professor – English
BA, 1993 University of Southern Mississippi
MA, 1998 University of Arkansas
PhD 2003 University of Arkansas
Neither of my parents completed college. My dad joined the Air Force at the age of 21 and never used his GI Bill benefits. My mom’s family could only afford to send her to one year of college. Still, both of my parents, my mom especially, were adamant that my brother and I would, at least, finish an undergraduate degree. I was fortunate enough to be an excellent student, and early on I determined that I was going to pay for my college on academic scholarships. I put a great of pressure on myself to achieve this, but it paid off. College was intimidating because I was making huge decisions for myself, and my parents had little knowledge or experience with which to help me. Now, as a university faculty member myself, I feel the need to be an advocate for those like me. If I can do it, they can, too, and I want to see them succeed.
Susan Gatto
Director – School of Nursing
BS Nursing, Millikin University 1984
MS Nursing, UCA 1990
PhD Nursing, UCA 2010
When I was 5 years old I wanted to be a nurse, a teacher and a go-go dancer. I made sure that I had the support of family and friends, education and work experiences throughout my life to make sure I attained my dreams. Two out of three is not bad!! My advise to other first generation students is to put people in your life and seek out experiences that will help you succeed.
Audreka Peten
Project Specialist – Student Accounts & Housing
My twin and I were the first in our family to come to college. My mom did not have a clue what she needed to do, but she was supportive. We took it upon ourself to ask our counselor how to apply. Then when we got here, we figured thing out by asking questions. I encourage you to use your situation as motivation to get to the finish line. Use the resources that are available to you! Your greater is waiting on the other side of your sacrifice! You do belong here!!
Stephanie Alsbrook
Clinical Instructor I – Nutrition and Family Sciences
BS Dietetics, UCA 2005
Dietetic Internship Certificate, UAMS 2007
MS Nutrition, UCA 2012
My experiences in Arkansas 4-H, International Science Fair, and Future Business Leaders of America taught me that the world is so much bigger than my small town. I wanted to grow myself so that I could help my family, community, and state succeed. After working in healthcare and state government, I am back at UCA pouring into the next generation of leaders. Be sure to take chances, meet new people, find a mentor, and give back!
