First Generation
College Students
One in three Alfred State students are first generation meaning that their parents have not completed a college degree. They are truly Alfred State Pioneers--trailblazers who are trying something new that hasn’t been done before in their family! Being the first is exciting, thrilling, and inspiring, but it can also be scary and overwhelming.
We’re here to help, and we want you to succeed. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Choose something you love.
It might be tempting to choose a major based on what someone else thinks you should do or because you’ve heard that a particular profession makes a lot of money, but what is it that you are passionate about? Embrace who you are and find a major that fits.
2. Be proactive about financial aid.
Think you can’t go to college because you can’t afford it? Think again! There are all kinds of financial aid programs available, and our financial aid counselors are here to help you and your family through the financial aid process.
Remember, a financial aid package may include student loans, but this is normal. And since Alfred State is part of the State University of New York (SUNY), our costs are lower than what you might find at another school, so any loan debt is manageable. Plus, our graduates get jobs, so paying off those loans isn’t a problem.
Don’t let financing the college education keep you from going to college - a college education is just too important!
3. Embrace academic support services early.
Most students need extra help in a class or two at some point in their college career so be sure to ask for help right away. Things move quickly at the college level, and there’s no reason not to take advantage of all the academic support that’s available.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can do it all on your own. We want to help you succeed so let us do that!
4. Get involved and try new things.
There’s so much to do at Alfred State and so many people to meet so find something to do outside of your classes. The best way to feel connected to a place is to get involved—make the campus your home away from home.
Make it a goal to leave your college experience a more well-rounded person than you may have been when you arrived on campus. But remember to know your limits. Don’t get so involved that your grades suffer.
5. Ask questions and get to know your professors.
If you don’t know, ask! You’re in college to learn so ask questions and ask more questions! Also, be sure to get to know your professors. Class sizes are small at Alfred State so it’s easy to connect with your professors.
If you have a quick question, stay for a few minutes after class or stop in during posted office hours.
6. Work hard!
There will be times during your college experience when it won’t be easy but continue to move forward and keep your eyes on the target - earning that college degree! And don’t get caught up in comparing yourself to other people. There are people who will have a natural talent for something that you may not have, but hard work trumps everything.
Control what you can control - how hard you work!
7. Surround yourself with the right people.
There’s an anonymous quote which reads, “Surround yourself with people who have dreams, desire, and ambition; they’ll help you push for, and realize your own.”
Enough said.
First Generation Student Success Stories
Trevor Carson
Criminal Justice Student
Inspired by his father, a retired NYPD officer, Trevor Carson decided to pursue a career in criminal justice and wound up becoming the first person in his family to attend college.
“My dad tells me all the time that he wished that he had the opportunity that I had going into college because with the information that is available to me now – understanding how penal law works and case law and how to apply that in different situations – he feels like it’s definitely an advantage going into law enforcement now.”
Janel Farrell
Human Services Management Student
Janel Farrell, an Alfred State human services management major, is a first generation college student who is expecting to graduate in May 2022. She would love to be a child life specialist, an entrepreneur, a blogger, and an author.
During her time at Alfred State, she has been a resident assistant, interned in the cultural life center, served student senate as vice president of diversity, inclusion, and belonging, was a campus tour guide, and is a Chi Alpha Epsilon inductee.
“Alfred State made me feel the most welcomed. I loved the atmosphere and loved how optimistic the prospective students sounded. Do your best and be the best version of yourself. Stay focused on why you came to college and stick with it. It’s ok to change, everyone changes, just make sure you change for the better.”
Clayton Hamm
Manufacturing Planner at Eastman Kodak
As a first-generation college graduate, I made the decision to attend college to better my future and career goals. Even though I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do after I graduated, I knew college was the best choice to set up my future. I’m so glad I attended Alfred State because the professors and staff really want to see you succeed and set you up for success.
I graduated in May 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in logistics and supply chain management. Recently, I started my long-term career at Eastman Kodak in Rochester as a manufacturing planner for the Advanced Chemical and Materials Department.
Carolina Monterrosas
Nursing Student
Making a difference drew Carolina Monterrosas to pursue Alfred State and a nursing degree. The first generation student from the Bronx has passion for helping others in more ways than just in her field of study.
“I want to bring change to my family by pursuing higher education. My parents never had the opportunity to even dream about attending college while I on the other hand have been privileged enough to do so.”
On top of her studies in the classroom, Monterrosas has teamed with professor Dr. Angela Graves, and created a plan to connect the healthcare field with the voting process of minorities on campus. Her plan, submitted to Campus Compact, has earned her the distinction of Civic Innovation Scholar.
Matthew Ryan
Senior Director of Residential Services at Alfred State College
Watching my mother chase her dreams of a nursing degree while working – and after my two siblings had both moved out of the house – solidified my belief that higher education was what I needed to chase my dreams.
I am proud to be in my family’s first generation of college graduates, and it is one of the aspects of Alfred State College that I am most proud of: helping other first-generation students obtain their degrees and reach for their dreams.