In about a month, I will grace the stage at Northern Arizona
University in recognition of the accomplishment of a master’s degree. Lately, I even have to pinch myself about the
realness of this situation. Not that it
wasn’t attainable, but that I’ve done it so fast, all the while balancing work,
school, life and my much needed trips out of Flagstaff each month. Growing up, the question for me wasn’t about
was I going to college, but instead, where I was going. What I've always seen as reality, is sometimes just a fantasy for some. Read on for how I was able to put many things into a whole new perspective.
I just had the opportunity to watch a film, “First Generation,” a documentary that chronicles the journey of four high school
students with ambitions of college, but a lack of money was an obstacle for
these students with limited knowledge of the entire college process. In one case, the high school counselor
intervened to assist the student as he navigated the college process, even
stepping in when the student had not received a financial aid award letter by
June. For the most part, the parents
were supportive of their children and their dreams. On the other hand, the talk of college made
the parents realize their helplessness when it came to assisting their students
in paying for college.
This documentary made me think about two things: the true
privilege I have (and have had) by not being a first-generation college
student, as well as the privilege of having attained multiple degrees. I get it, everybody doesn’t want to go to
college, but don’t we have the obligation as a society to help those who want
to go? Statistically and realistically, college graduates will earn more in
their lifetime than non-college graduates.
Degree attainment gives students the opportunity to break out of the
cycle of poverty that plagues many communities.
Besides the financial benefit of a degree, there are the intangible
benefits of the college experience such as learning time management, the
creation and expansion of network, in addition to reassurance.
This documentary also had me thinking about the role that I
play at the university with parents.
There are some parents that are very active in their students’ college
experience, but what about those parents that have no idea what is going
on? How do we help them? This film proves this: parental outreach
begins before students even step foot on campus. How do we get them to understand the
admissions and financial aid process? It
is easy to assume that parents have a general understanding of what is going
on, however, human nature shows that we can easily shy away from things we don’t
understand.
My challenge to myself, my colleagues and other adults with
access to students who want to attend college, as well as the parents of those
students, is to be a resource. Talk to
them, make sure they talk to their counselors, express the benefits of the
college experience to them. Furthermore,
do the same with their parents. Show
them there is no need to fear what they do not understand. Finally, think about how you can (in your
respective capacity), assist President Obama in making sure that the United
States produces the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020.
