“I am very proud to be a first-generation student. It means I’m breaking the stereotypes. A lot of people wouldn't have expected someone from my community to come to college. I was the only Black male in the top 20 of our high school class. For someone like me, to do that and break those barriers, it shows not only that we are capable, but it also shows that others like me at my high school can do that as well. And I just like being that role model for other people.
"TRIO has meant everything to me. They gave me mentors. They always stayed on me and made sure I got my assignments done. And when I just needed someone to talk to, I had someone to talk to. I went through a period when my great-grandmother died, and I just really felt at my lowest. I still had my mentor there to help me.”
— Kelvin Pearson, sophomore, political science major