Celebrate first-generation college student success
Cincinnati State is recognizing the national First-Generation College Student Celebration Day by shining a spotlight on some of the first-generation students who participate in the College’s grant-funded TRIO College Access Programs:
- TRIO Student Support Services
- TRIO Educational Opportunity Center
- TRIO Traditional Upward Bound
The Center for First-Generation Student Success and the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) sponsored the national First-Generation College Student Celebration Day on Sunday, Nov. 8.
Yafah Davis is a Nursing student who is completing her goals with help from TRIO Student Support Services (SSS).
She will be the first in her family of nine to graduate from college.
Yafah said, “When I started at Cincinnati State, I didn’t really know what to expect and I was really nervous about whether I could keep up with the younger students.”
“Nursing is a demanding major, and I struggled the first few semesters. I was totally overwhelmed with school, a full time job, and two busy kids (now three).”
“Eventually I was guided to the lovely team at TRIO SSS and I honestly don’t think I could’ve made it as far as I have without the tutoring and academic coaching. I’ve had a few setbacks, but I continue to keep pushing forward to succeed in my higher education,” Yafah said.
Cor’tasia Fitzgerald and Isaac McKinney both participated in Cincinnati State’s TRIO Upward Bound program at Mt. Healthy Junior/Senior High School.
Cor’tasia Fitzgerald was part of Upward Bound from her freshman year until she graduated in 2019.
She is currently enrolled in Cincinnati State’s Early Childhood Education program and is on track to graduate in May. She is also creating her plan to continue her education and earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Cincinnati.
“I loved my academic journey with Upward Bound,” Cor’tasia said.
“I appreciated the time and effort the staff put towards the students of Upward Bound. As a first-generation college student, they made sure I was familiar with the differences between college and high school academics.”
“The Upward Bound staff helped me make an appropriate work schedule centered on my classes and helped me strengthen my work ethic,” Cor’tasia said.
Isaac McKinney is on track to graduate in May from Mt. Healthy Jr/Sr High School and he has already earned numerous Cincinnati State college credits through College Credit Plus.
In addition to participating in Upward Bound since his freshman year, Isaac is on the Mt. Healthy football team and has launched his own clothing brand, Embrace the Unknown, dedicated to giving back to communities in need.
Isaac is currently applying to colleges and plans to major in business and communication.
Isaac said, “My Upward Bound experience has been phenomenal. It’s like a family away from your own, providing you with the tools you need to succeed now and in the future.”
“Some of the tools I’ve taken advantage of include the summer program, listening to speakers, and keeping on track for college. Without Upward Bound, I never would have had so many opportunities and met so many people.”
“With Upward Bound, all things are possible and there is nowhere to go but up,” Isaac added.
The Nov. 8 date for the National First-Generation College Celebration honors the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. Like other landmark legislation of the 1960s, HEA was intended to help “level the playing field” for Americans from minority and low-income backgrounds.
- The HEA created federal grants and loan programs to help students finance their educations, and provided support for the Federal TRIO programs that encourage college access, retention, and completion for low-income, first-generation students.
- To learn more about the HEA and the history of the National First-Generation College Celebration, click here.
More information about Cincinnati State’s College Access Programs is available on the College website at https://www.cincinnatistate.edu/CAP.