Business and Industry | First Generation | Health Education and Human Sciences | Lion VoicesDecember 02, 2025

First-Generation Student Spotlight: Hannah Seal

Written By: First-Generation Committee

Attending the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is more than earning a degree for Hannah Seal—it’s continuing a family story her mother never had the chance to finish.

Hannah’s mom attended UAFS years ago but passed away before completing her degree, leaving Hannah, then an elementary school student, and her family to navigate life without her.

Hannah’s dad, a truck driver often on the road for months at a time, suddenly faced the challenge of balancing work as a single parent. As the youngest of three children, Hannah relied on the care of her siblings and extended family. Her uncle, grandmother, and sister stepped in daily, picking her up from school, helping with homework, and ensuring she always had support at home.

Now, Hannah is the only one of her siblings to pursue college directly after high school, and UAFS was the natural choice. Close to her family and close to home, UAFS offers her the chance to live with her support system while keeping her degree affordable.

Finances, she said, have been one of her biggest hurdles as a first-generation student. After receiving some small scholarships, Hannah covers the remaining costs out of pocket, using the university’s payment plan to stay on track.

“Everyone has a different story, and their situation will be different,” she said. “The only way to really get through is to just keep going.”

Since childhood, Hannah has known she wanted to work in the dental field. After becoming a registered dental assistant in high school, she chose to pursue dental hygiene at UAFS, pairing it with a minor in business administration to open even more doors for her future. Her determination and optimism shine through everything she does.

 “It is okay to fail. Not doing well in a single class does not define you. You will have some wins and some losses. It doesn’t mean that you cannot redo a class or fix it. It may mean you have to work a little harder, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t do it,” she said.

Hannah’s journey is one of resilience, family strength, and unwavering perseverance—qualities that continue to guide her as she works toward her degree and the future she has always dreamed of.

• Tags:
• First Generation Student Success Committee
• First-Generation Student
• College of Business and Industry
• Dental Hygiene
• College of Health Education and Human Sciences