Trailblazers on campus: TU’s first-generation students lead the way

Being a first-generation student means being a trailblazer in your family’s educational journey. A first-generation student is a student whose parents, did not graduate from a four-year institution in the United States.

At Towson University, more than 17% of undergraduates identify as first-generation college students.

“Towson University’s first-generation population has increased exponentially over the years,” says Charla Fowlkes, assistant director of Student Success Programs and a key member in supporting TU’s first-generation student population. “They require additional support and resources because they don’t have a parent or guardian to use as a resource. We want to provide them with resources to help them not only become successful, but to help build their community.”

TU’s first student organization for first-gen students

This semester, Student Success Programs and the Division of Student Affairs helped launch the First Gen Alliance, a student-run organization that promotes growth, leadership development and advocacy for TU’s first-generation population.

The organization hosts weekly huddles on Wednesdays in the University Union, focusing on different topics and resources that benefit first-generation students’ TU experience. Past huddles have covered financial literacy, campus resources and study abroad opportunities.

I really want to push these resources to our freshman first-gen students. From scholarships to the Career Center to making connections, it’s important they know we have these resources.

Kiara Betanga, vice president of the First Gen Alliance

Olivia Jenkins, a first-generation senior double majoring in public health and Spanish, serves as secretary for the First Gen Alliance. In planning these huddles with her fellow e-board members, she wants to make sure students see that college isn’t as intimidating as it seems.

“It’s really rewarding, I feel like I’m helping more people on campus,” Jenkins says. “I feel like I’m making a difference, because it’s hard being a first-generation student. It’s rewarding to see people have a new perspective of college and see it’s not so scary. We want our fellow students to see the opportunities that are there and get some new ideas of what they want to do.”

Finding resources and building community

Kiara Betanga, a senior public health major and vice president of the First Gen Alliance, has made the most of her time at TU. She’s also a resident assistant, president of TU’s chapter of the National Council of Negro Women and a member of the health education honor society Eta Sigma Gamma.

Seeing them realize the things they can do and their impact in their community. Not only do you need the support of faculty and staff, you need the support of your fellow students, and they provide that.

Charla Fowlkes, assistant director of Student Success Programs

As someone whose family is originally from Cameroon, Betanga thought her time would be focused on meeting other African students. But she was amazed by the variety of organizations and support systems TU offers, and sees that from the first-generation freshmen students she speaks with.

"They are shocked at all the resources they have at TU,” Betanga says. “As a first-gen student coming in, you don’t really know these things exist on campus. So, I really want to push these resources to our freshman first-gen students. From scholarships to the Career Center to making connections, it’s important they know we have these resources.”

Providing answers to first-gen questions

Jasmine Fredericks, president of the First Gen Alliance, says coming to TU was an intimidating experience.

Fredericks is the first in her family to attend college—and the first of her 10 cousins expected to graduate from college. But she won’t be the only one soon: her mom is expected to graduate from college next spring.

“She’s asking me all the questions that I’m supposed to be asking her,” Fredericks says, laughing.

Fredericks joined the First Gen Alliance to help other first-generation students find their footing and confidence.

“There are a lot of freshmen who come to us and tell us they want this resource,” Fredericks says. “Being a first-generation student means having the confidence to push through this. And I want other students to understand that as well.”

Charla Fowlkes, wearing a Gen One shirt, talks with students regularly as part of Student Success Programs. (Alex Wright | Towson University)

First-gen leaders making a difference

Celeste Terrazas-Dominguez, a junior marketing major, serves as the group’s social media manager. She looks back on her first semester and jokes that she had no idea what she had gotten herself into.

Now, she says she’s learned the ins and outs of college life and credits her adviser, Fowlkes, for the support.

“Any little question I had, she opened the door and was so friendly that she made it comfortable to ask any question I had,” Terrazas-Dominguez says. “I was texting her at the end of my first semester, asking her what I had to do. She put me on the right path. She is such a guide not just for me, but the whole leadership team.”

For Fowlkes, who recommended all four members join the organization’s executive board, it’s rewarding to see students she’s mentored become leaders and advocates for TU’s first-generation community.

“They are trailblazers for their families, and the best part is to see them realize they are trailblazers,” Fowlkes says. “Seeing them realize the things they can do and their impact in their community. Not only do you need the support of faculty and staff, you need the support of your fellow students, and they provide that.”