Decreasing the Gap in Higher Education, One Student at a Time

     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.