Fox Cities News

First-generation college students at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO) are finding support through the First Scholars program. Aiden Funk, a junior majoring in physical education, is one such student who benefits from this initiative. Raised by a single mother who aspired to send her children to college, Funk has achieved that dream with help from the federally funded TRIO Student Support Services program.

Funk, now a peer mentor for TRIO, shared his journey: “School never really was for me,” he said. “I never thought I would make it this far, honestly. I’m proud of myself and the investment that I made.” He credits TRIO with assisting him in managing academics and finances: “(TRIO advisors) stepped in; they helped me apply for scholarships and grants and made a budget plan with me.”

The First Scholars program connects over 3,000 first-generation students at UWO with various support services. Byron Adams, director of the Center for Student Success and Belonging, emphasized the importance of these efforts: “The First Scholars Program hopes to add to the already excellent services being provided by creating a climate at UWO where first-gen student success is at the forefront of all our student outreach and retention efforts.”

Services offered include mentoring from faculty and staff, educational practices like learning communities, skill-building seminars, financial literacy workshops, and connections with organizations such as TRIO McNair Scholars Program.

Jason Herman, an academic adviser for TRIO Student Support Services, highlighted the unique challenges faced by first-gen students: “You basically have to reprogram what it means to be a student once you come to college,” he said.

Jessica Spanbauer, Director of the Center for Academic Resources and volunteer team lead for First Scholars, related her own experiences as a first-gen student: “Because I have done a lot of reflection on my own experience as an undergraduate student … you realize that you don’t know what you don’t know.”

Madelyn Blaser, another first-gen student majoring in human services leadership, advised new students to utilize available programs: “Yes, college can be stressful and seem scary at moments but you are not alone,” she said.

This story was produced by UW Oshkosh journalism major Aubrie Selsmeyer as part of her coursework in "The Power of Digital Storytelling."