HARRISBURG, PA — Being the first in your family to attend or graduate from college is a milestone that carries meaning beyond a degree. For many first-generation college students, the experience involves navigating an unfamiliar educational system, learning how to access resources and opportunities, and creating a path that future generations of their families may one day follow.
First-generation college students make up a significant portion of the higher education community. According to a 2026 report from the Pell Institute, 54% of undergraduate students in the United States in 2020 had parents who had not earned a bachelor’s degree.
Observed annually on November 8, First-Generation College Celebration Day recognizes the achievements, experiences, and contributions of first-generation college students and graduates. It also provides an opportunity to recognize the families, educators, and communities who support them along the way.
At Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU), members of the university community have their own stories to share. In recognition of First-Generation College Celebration Day, HU invited students, faculty, and staff who identify as first-generation college students or graduates to reflect on what the experience means to them.
Anapaula Bazan Munoz, Assistant Director of Financial Aid Services
“Being a first-generation college student has meant a lot to me, but I believe it meant more to my parents. Immigrating to a new country as young parents wasn’t easy, but their dream was to move to the States and provide a good and comfortable life for me and my sister. They knew I would have more opportunities here, such as a good education, and when I got accepted to Penn State’s main campus, their hard work and sacrifices had paid off. Due to being an immigrant and growing up with cross-cultural experiences, I got my B.A. in anthropology, which in turn has helped me serve a highly diverse student population here at HU.”
Dre Dorsey ’29
“Being a first-generation college student, to me, means much more than just obtaining a degree. It means that I’m breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and setting an example for the future generations of my family. From serving in the military, becoming a commissioned officer in the Army, obtaining my undergraduate degree, and now working towards my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, I have been reminded how hard work and perseverance can help you achieve success. I am very proud that I can show my family that no matter where you are from or what challenges you may face, you can still develop and achieve. Being a first-generation student is not just about being first, but ensuring you aren’t the last!”
Khaliq Hatmal ’27
“Being a first-generation college student has given me a greater appreciation for the opportunities I’ve been given and the life I’ve led.”
Meldzan Isakovic ’27
“I am a war refugee from Bosnia and have quite an interesting story of how I have gotten to Pennsylvania. Neither my parents nor anyone in my family in Europe has gone to a ‘university’ and graduated with a degree. I will be the first one to have pursued collegiate aspirations, and I will graduate in Spring 2027. This means so much to me because it is a culmination of my story/adventure after moving here to the United States.
“Not only was the journey troublesome, but I am now 36 and the father of a 4-year-old girl, FINALLY graduating with a degree. Having also served in the United States military right out of high school, I never pictured myself actually graduating until I moved here to Pennsylvania and discovered Harrisburg University offered an esports degree program. Esports and gaming have always been my passion and getaway from all the things I have experienced growing up.
“I hope this will inspire others and, most importantly, my daughter. Whenever she grows up to understand what her dad is doing, I hope she is proud and will follow her dreams, whatever those might be.”
Lilian Adanne Iwu ’27
“Being a first-generation graduate student means so much to me because my journey to higher education has not been a straight or easy one. I am the first person in my family to pursue a master’s degree, and sometimes I still stop and think about how far I have come.
“I began my nursing education in Ukraine, but my life changed completely when the war started. I had to leave Ukraine and rebuild my life in another country while still holding on to my dream of completing my education. I later finished my nursing degree, lived and worked in Germany, and eventually moved to the United States, where I am now pursuing my master’s degree in healthcare informatics at Harrisburg University.
“There were many moments when starting over felt overwhelming: learning new systems, adapting to different countries and cultures, working while studying, and trying to build a future far away from home. But every challenge has reminded me why education matters so much to me.
“Being the first in my family to pursue a master’s degree is bigger than earning another qualification. It represents sacrifice, resilience, opportunity, and the hope that the people coming after me will see that their dreams are possible too. I am proud that my journey has taken me from Nigeria to Ukraine, Germany, and now the United States, and through every chapter, education has remained one of the things that has kept me moving forward.
“For me, being first-generation means opening a door that was not already open and making sure it stays open for others after me.”
Jordan Lentz, Senior Director of Academic Success
“Being a first-generation college student shaped me into the higher education professional I am today. Without a roadmap to follow, I learned how to advocate for myself, navigate challenges, and explore my interests. I changed my major four times before finding my passion in interpersonal communication, while still earning my degree in four years. I also found the more engaged I was on campus, the better I did in my academics. Through my involvement as a resident assistant, Board of Governors Scholar, and treasurer of the Student Government Association, I found purpose, community, and valuable leadership experiences. These opportunities transformed my college experience and inspired me to go to graduate school to pursue an advanced degree to work in higher education. Being a first-generation college student has strengthened my commitment to helping students discover their passions and achieve their goals.”
Jen Millford, Chief Human Resources Officer
“I was the first person on either side of my family to go to college, and my brother followed after me. My parents lived paycheck to paycheck, so college savings never came up. Their advice was, ‘You’re smart. You’ll figure it out.’ So I tried. The FAFSA might as well have been written in Greek, and nobody had ever explained it to me.
“My path was anything but straight. I started in clinical laboratory science, learned fast that chemistry was not my strength, switched to psychology, and left school at 19 to figure out what I actually wanted. Five years later, I was working in payroll and benefits for a company that handed me its HR function because it didn’t have one. That’s when things clicked. I went back to school online while working full time, had a baby along the way, and earned my B.A. from Penn State in 2015. I didn’t believe it was real until the diploma showed up in my mailbox.
“Now I’m working on my master’s, also at Penn State. Being first-gen taught me that you can figure things out even when nobody explains the rules, and that leaving school doesn’t mean you’re done with it. It just took me longer than I expected, and it showed me that the path you start on doesn’t have to be the one you finish on.”
Kim Musser ’30
“For me, being a first-generation college student pushes me to work harder. It feels like I have the weight of making my mother proud on my shoulders. Anytime I do badly on an exam or get a bad grade, it pushes me to work harder, because I think about my mom and how she tells everyone she meets about me and how proud I am making her.”
Dr. Michael Seavers, Chair of Faculty, Department Chair, Program Lead, and Assistant Professor of Healthcare Informatics
“My parents were both raised on a farm. My family tree has been farmers here in Cumberland County for many years. I can trace my family in Cumberland County back to 1780. And farming was their livelihood.
“Although my grandfather passed away when I was in second grade, I don’t believe my grandfather even graduated from high school. He went to a one-room schoolhouse that only had up to eighth grade. However, he did rather well for himself. Apparently, my grandmother was not happy when my grandfather decided to go from being a sharecropper to buying a farm. My grandmother thought he was crazy. Well, he made it work. That’s where my mother was born and raised.
“For my father, I remember seeing a picture of him plowing a field. When I say that, many think of someone on a large tractor, right? No, this picture was him controlling a team of six horses while plowing the field. I still have that picture.
“With all that stated, my parents made sure that I went to college. They saved and helped put me through college. For that, I am forever grateful!
“I have loved being educated since I was in kindergarten. Getting my undergrad degree is what my parents wanted me to do, and I was happy to do it for them and for myself. Since undergrad, I had companies pay (i.e., tuition reimbursement) for my three master’s degrees and my Ph.D. My father got to see me achieve my three master’s degrees. Unfortunately, he had passed away before I received my Ph.D. from Penn State. However, my mother was there to see it. I know that my father would have been quite proud to see me walk for my Ph.D.
“To answer the original question, I feel a great sense of pride to be the first in my family tree to go to college. However, I’m also proud of my family tree being farmers too. Farmers were/are the backbone of our nation.
“Lastly, there is an ancient proverb that goes something like this: ‘If the son does not turn out better than the father, then they both have failed.’ Well, thanks to my parents, they provided me with the opportunity to achieve a college education, something that my family tree had never accomplished. So, I just want to say ‘Thanks, Mom and Dad!’ for the sacrifices that they made so that I could go to college.”
Allysa Turner, Philanthropy Officer
“Being a first-generation college student means navigating a path that sometimes you’re paving blindly. It means learning to advocate for yourself, seeking out resources, and figuring out things along the way that others may have had guidance with from the beginning. It has taught me the value of perseverance, independence, and taking advantage of opportunities, even when the path forward feels uncertain. Most importantly, it has shaped my appreciation for the transformative power of higher education and reinforced my belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue their goals, regardless of their background.”
About Harrisburg University
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, analytics, biotechnology, cybersecurity, nursing, and other STEM fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link research with practical application. Learn more at HarrisburgU.edu or stay in the know by following HU on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
Media Contact
Have questions about this story? Want to line up an interview? Contact Dan Wilhelm, director of communications, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu. # # #
