On Thursday, Jan. 6, the Office for Student Equity and the First Gen Family at Saint Mary’s College hosted the second part of their “Being ___ and First Gen” series. Held in Stapleton Lounge of Le Mans Hall, this installment was titled “Being Black and First Gen.” Panelists for the night included assistant director for student equity and first gen programs Donna Taylor-Schuman, mental health counselor I’Vory Woods, senior Jaida Beasley and senior Angelina Wright.
As president of Black Student Association, Beasley conveyed her view of the importance of the series and events similar to the “first gen” community at Saint Mary’s.
“I think mainly we're spreading awareness about the struggles [of] first gen students,” Beasley said.
Wright, the vice president of the Black Student Association, continued Beasley's sentiments.
“I feel like it brings awareness, definitely to unrepresented people on campus, especially first gen students. They don't really get recognized by the masses of being like approached or just going through things,” Wright said.
She then emphasized that first generation students are not alone in their struggles.
“First gen students don't know that they're not alone or that they're not alone in experiencing [the struggles], and [we are] helping spread the word about the resources that are available,” Wright said.
Beasley related this to her own experience as a first generation student.
“I have a quite unique first gen story,” Beasley said. “While I am first gen, [which] kind of already limits the support that I have from my family, they also have told me ever since [I] started thinking about going to college, that they would not support my dream.”
Beasley is currently putting herself through school and hopes that other first generation students in a similar situation will feel seen.
“I know for sure that there are other students going through that, and I know what I went through and the struggles and the way that I raised myself up. I think it's something that a lot of first gen students need to hear,” Beasley said.
Beasley further expressed her experience as an incoming student.
“When I first came to Saint Mary's College, I came from a home that basically forced me to not be able to socialize myself. And so when I came to college, I isolated myself, and that stopped me from getting to know the resources and the help that was out there. That also prevented me from understanding that there are people that are willing to support me and that want to support me,” Beasley said.
Wright also touched on the subject of community support.
“They don't have to go through it alone,” Beasley said. “I feel like a lot of people have the assumption that if you're a first gen student, or if you're a black student, [that] you are going to be left out. But that's not the case here. I feel like there's a lot of support. There's a lot of people that are willing to help. And I love the support that I get from it.”
Taylor-Schuman, otherwise fondly known as “Miss D,” shared her outlook about helping incoming and current first generation students.
“I think that you can't just be focused on the students’ grades. You have to be focused on their whole well being. And so that's what I live for, making sure that they have social emotional support when they come in,” Taylor-Schuman said.
In order to do so, Taylor-Schuman implemented a program for incoming first generation students which Taylor-Schuman calls “SMC Bootcamp.” New students are encouraged to become aware of the campus, the customs, safety protocols and other strategies pertinent to campus life.
“It's just just being able to give them what I didn't have, like, that's how I look at it,” Taylor-Schuman said.
Beasley listed some of the most influential components to her successful transition into college life.
“I think some of the biggest ones have been, coming into my faith and understanding my relationship with God. Another big one has been being a part of the clubs that I lead, and kind of getting to know the students, and more and more, I've been able to step out of my shell that way,” Beasley said.
Wright said she wants to continue creating positive first-generation student experience, surrounding herself with like-minded individuals and helping others after she graduates.
“After I graduate, I want to go to law school and eventually help out kids that have or that went through something similar that I've went through, or just that don't necessarily have the research resources or support.” Wright said.
Beasley contributed her gratitude for pursuing a degree as a first generation student.
“It's thanks to Saint Mary's that I'm confident and comfortable enough to sit on a panel and talk about all those things, because I wouldn't have imagined doing that four years ago,“ Beasley said.
