性吧导航

Written By: Ian Silvester

College is a time when many students experience things for the first time. Whether it鈥檚 exploring a new interest, joining a club, or diving into a research project, these years offer students a chance to take chances with limited risk. College is also the place where many students become the first in their families to ever go. 

At the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith, roughly 58% of the student body is considered first-generation. By definition, no one in their immediate family has completed a four-year degree, and sometimes it means no one even attended. For the students at 性吧导航 who are pursuing a bachelor's degree, becoming the first in their families to do so can be life-changing for generations. 

This spring, 293 of the graduates crossing the stage to receive their associate or bachelor鈥檚 degree or technical certificate from 性吧导航 are first-generation students. Their relentless determination is a testament to the care and guidance provided by 性吧导航, helping each student achieve their educational goals. Before accepting their diplomas, some of these students offered their advice to incoming first-year students. 

May 16 will be a special day for Emilo Sanchez. He will accept his associate鈥檚 degree in electrical engineering technology, just two days after graduating from Northside High School.  

This accomplishment, however, didn鈥檛 come without some challenges along the way. Emilo had to navigate getting rides to and from 性吧导航 and Northside and is still working on how to acquire a job with his degree at such a young age. But despite this, he said, earning both degrees at the same time is worth it.  

鈥淚鈥檓 super proud of myself,鈥� Emilo said. 鈥淚 look at people my age, even people older than me, and they don鈥檛 have these accomplishments.鈥� 

For Emilo, being a first-generation graduate also means his parents鈥� sacrifice to move to the United States was worth it. He said that without them taking a chance on his future, he鈥檇 be looking at a much different outcome than holding a college-level degree at 18. It鈥檚 an accomplishment and an experience, Emilo said, that he hopes can inspire incoming students. 

鈥淚f you鈥檙e in doubt about pursuing an education, I just say go for it! It鈥檚 an investment and will help you in your future. 鈥� Even if you feel like giving up, don鈥檛,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 always thought about giving up, maybe once a week or once a month, but I always told myself to push through.鈥� 

Emilo鈥檚 message shines with his fellow Spring first-generation graduate, Nikki Sontchi. 

After accumulating more than 200 credit hours over the years, Nikki will earn her bachelor鈥檚 degree in organizational leadership. Her story is one of finding direction and using the support 性吧导航 offered her every step of the way to earn her degree. 

鈥淭here are people here who want to help you, and they want to see you succeed,鈥� Nikki said.  

When Nikki accepts her degree from the stage at Stubblefield Center, she will do so the day after her daughter receives her high school diploma. Nikki said she is excited to help her daughter navigate college as a first-year student and to demonstrate that, even as the first to go, she was successful in taking the risk.  

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