MCC convocation speaker highlights challenges, trials of first-gen college students
Combining statistics and intertwining her story, Dr. Alexandria White shared her affinity for first-generation college students during her talk at Meridian Community College’s convocation session.
A first-generation college student is described as one whose parents did not attend or finish college.
One one-third of today’s college students are first-generation; the median age is 23, said Dr. White, founder of Alexandria White Consulting and Student Affairs MomS. In addition to being a senior vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion for Reboot Accel, Dr. White is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Mississippi.
“Sixty percent of first-generation students were also the first in their family to come to a community college such as yours,” she said in her talk, “The Unspoken Tax on First-Generation College Students.” Dr. White attended Ole Miss during her first year in college and dropped out after suffering from a miscarriage and domestic abuse. She didn’t realize her college bill would follow her until she tried to restart her academic journey.
Along her way, she encountered others who helped, and she encouraged others to do the same. “You all have a connection and impact on this place,” she said. Lessening the gap of lack of familiarity with higher education is vital.
First-generation students are often language brokers, and she encouraged faculty and staffers to be aware of cultural differences.
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu.