First Generation | StudentsMarch 19, 2025

First to go but not Alone

Written By: Ian Silvester

Let’s face it: transitioning from high school to college is hard. New places, new faces, and navigating a flexible class schedule is daunting. Add in being the first in your family to go to college, and the challenges can feel insurmountable.

At the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, one group is dedicated to ensuring these First-Generation students have everything they need. The First-Generation Student Success Committee (FGSSC), formed in 2018, comprises nearly 30 faculty and staff members — many of whom identify as first-gen themselves — who go above and beyond to ensure these students are supported, with monthly events that share resources on and off campus, and an aim to build a first-gen community.

As Dr. Dave Stevens, associate vice chancellor and dean of students, said, “It’s our culture.”

“At UAFS, first-generation students are acknowledged, celebrated, and supported.”

More than half of the student population at UAFS are first generation, and the committee uses a blend of research and member experience to assist others.

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” said Meagan Bowling Fudge, director of student information system initiatives and first-generation UAFS alumna. “Things often take longer, items may be submitted late, people may seem unprepared, but the reality is that folks don’t know what they don’t know.”

This was the case for Bowling Fudge during her time at UAFS. She admitted having difficulty deciding on a major, eventually getting to a point where she "had to" declare a major. Still, she lacked clarity on what options led to earnings and paths that best fit her skills and professional goals. 

“I was overwhelmed and uncertain, but I was committed to finishing my degree and making the best of my path,” she said.

Earning her degree was an accomplishment she credits to relationships. She joined Delta Gamma, where she found a “network of women that provided support, friendships, accountability, and a framework for leadership that was a catalyst for my personal growth.”

Financial Aid Advisor Jenna Broyles had a similar experience as a first-gen student at UAFS, saying “reality hit and hit hard” when she began college. After losing interest in school and feeling stuck in a rut, she changed her major, went through sorority recruitment, and opened herself up to a “new world on campus.”

Being a first-gen student can be even more taxing for those who are not only the first to go but also non-traditional students.

“I faced the struggles of understanding what college was and how to make things work,” said Kim Okoniewski-Cloud, operations specialist for student success and retention and FGSSC chair. “I worked while studying, and I had kids to care for. … The students we interact with often remind me of myself, and I recognize their struggles.”

For Stephany Dobbins, coordinator for new student and family programs, being a non-traditional and first-gen student often felt like she didn’t belong. However, she sought resources like tutoring, academic advising, and support programs to keep her on track. With each passing semester, she recalled feeling more confident in herself and her ability to succeed. 

“Success isn’t about a perfect journey; it’s about perseverance,” Dobbins said. “I use my experience to help students facing similar challenges by reassuring them that feeling out of place sometimes is normal, but they can thrive at UAFS. … Your path may look different, but it is just as meaningful and valuable.”

• Tags:
• Student Success
• First Generation Student
• First to go
• First Generation Student Success Committee
• Non-traditional Students