Students at Montgomery County Community College come from a wide array of backgrounds. Some represent the first generation of their families to seek higher education. On Oct. 28, Montco highlighted the stories of these students at the First Generation College Student Experience panel as a part of the 2019 Dean’s Lecture Series.

According to a 2018 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately one-third of college students in the United States are the first-generation of their family to attend college. According to Public Agenda, 41% of college drop outs are first-generation students. The panel served as a platform for the audience and the College to hear from this population and to learn how to support these students and encourage them to continue their education.

Dr. Gloria Oikelome, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Health Sciences, opened the panel, which was moderated by Dr. James Bretz, Dean of STEM. Oikelome and Bretz emphasized Montco’s dedication to student success and learning how best to support them.

The panelists were Theresa Hummel-Kalinger, President at High Five Performance, Inc.; Damon Gray, Management Instructor at MCCC; and Nicoletta Pelchat and Carlos Chavez, first-generation college students at MCCC. The panelists shared their current and past experiences navigating the college environment as first-generation college students.

While each panelists had a unique experience, they shared similar outlooks and paths surrounding the college experience. Pelchat and Hummel-Kalinger expressed sentiments about seeking education for themselves and not having a familial expectation or obligation to attend college. Chavez admitted to having to change his mindset to become more open to finding resources and learning how to ask for help so that he could be a better student.

The panelists also confessed to having doubts and fears about the college experience, but were ultimately grateful for the opportunity to learn and better themselves.

“Coming from the projects in South Philly, I was afraid to show off my intelligence,” Gray said. “There’s scar-tissue that’s built when you come from a lower income situation. I don’t have to hide anymore. I can be proud of who I am and where I come from, and use that to support my students.”

Pelchat acknowledged her own hesitations and was appreciative of the Montco community that helped her.

“The most important thing I learned at Montco is to ask for help,” Pelchat said. “In the beginning I was afraid to ask for help, but no one ever made me feel silly for asking a question.”

The Deans’ Lecture series began in the 2004-2005 academic year. Annually, the five academic deans of Montgomery County Community College sponsor guest speakers to discuss topics relevant to our College community. Some past presenters included Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab-Professor of Higher Education Policy & Sociology at Temple University and Founder of the HOPE Center, and Dr. Galen Godbey-Assistant Professor in the Department of History and Sociology of Science at University of Pennsylvania.