Be it the application process, financial aid paperwork, or even navigating the plethora of on-campus resources, at some point college can get confusing. First-generation (first-gen) students—those who are the first in the family to attend college—often face unique challenges while seeking a degree, many of which can easily stand in the way of success. At the University of Miami, Whitley Johnson, senior academic advisor for Diversity and Inclusion, is breaking down barriers to ensure that all students have the guidance they need to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of higher ed.
Johnson, whose parents both identify as first-gen graduates, was recently appointed as one of the Best Practice Specialists for the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) First-Gen Advising Community Steering Committee and she continues to position the University at the forefront of best practice advising for first-generation students. As the founder of the Empower Me First Diversity and Inclusion Initiative at UM, Johnson has expanded her mission to unite first-generation students, faculty, and staff through the Empower Me First Mentor Program.
“We have many faculty and staff members who are successful first-generation college graduates and their personal experiences and knowledge of resources are invaluable to our students,” said Johnson.
Last year, first-generation students accounted for one-third of UM’s transfer student population, while 17 percent of undergraduates also identified as first-gen. Johnson explained that at UM and nationally, no two first-generation students are exactly the same, but traditionally students who identify as such are the first in their household to receive a four-year college degree.
Through the Mentor Program, Johnson invites the UM first-generation community to come together to address and understand the true diversity of first-generation college students. “By working one-on-one with first-generation students, we push beyond the initial conversations about first-gen challenges and start to better understand the student experience on and off campus,” said Johnson.
Through this initiative and mentor program, Johnson is hopeful that the idea of empowerment will be contagious. “I want students to feel empowered while they are here and after they leave,” she added.
Anthony Sis, assistant director of programs at UM’s LGBTQ Student Center, was one of the 32 faculty and staff mentors that volunteered to be a part of the program. Sis shared that much of their work is guiding and connecting students with existing resources.
“I think it is important for students to know that others are invested in them. As faculty and staff, we are often much more aware of the resources available to both students and parents. Sometimes all it takes is for a mentor to help make those connections,” added Sis.
As Johnson continues to expand and build upon the program, she is optimistic that higher education as a whole will have a better understanding of how to recruit, retain, and ultimately support first-generation students.
“The first-gen population has been a part of higher ed all along, but now we are at a point where we need to think about the specific needs of these students and how we can ensure they have the same opportunities to succeed,” Johnson added.
Empower Me First Mentor applications for faculty and staff are being accepted until Sept. 16.
