How Stony Brook University is supporting first-generation students

As the first person in her family to go to college, Stony Brook University freshman Michelle Lin said much is riding on her success.

Her father is in China, and her mother works nearly every day as a nail technician to provide for her family living in Queens, she said.

"I feel like it’s really, really important for me to succeed...to help [my family] with financial support because I know my mom’s really like the only one that supports this house," Lin, 18, said.

She is not alone. At Stony Brook, officials said nearly 40% of undergraduates are the first in their families to attend college.

"For us at Stony Brook, it is an incredible point of pride that we have so many 'first-gen' students, who not only come to Stony Brook but then graduate and they lead incredibly successful lives," said Rick Gatteau, vice president for student affairs.

The university held a series of events this week celebrating its first-generation students, including networking opportunities, academic workshops, social activities and career development programs. They capped the series off with a panel on Friday.

During the nearly 1½ hour panel, five speakers discussed their experiences applying and attending to college, as well finding their current jobs. They touched on overcoming self-doubt and the anxiety of high expectations.

Lin, who is majoring in computer engineering but is now questioning her choice, asked the panlists how they found their paths. They spoke about following "your passion" and defining long-term goals, and advised students that there is more than one one way to find their career path.

Panelist Rita Langdon, the university’s assistant vice president for communications, said she started out working a newspaper route as a kid, then went on to be a community newspaper reporter before going to community college and eventually earning five degrees in the past 35 years — all as a first-generation college student.

"It’s very important that the first-generation students understand that they are not alone," she said.

In addition to this week's events, the university has established a First-Generation Committee to provide mentorship and assistance. This past summer, Stony Brook launched the "First and Fierce Orientation Program" to help incoming students navigate college life, build connections and involve their families in the transition.

Amarjeet Kumar, a 25-year-old PhD student, was among the nearly 100 attendees at Friday’s event.

Kumar, who is studying geosciences, said his family is from India. He said his parents helped pay for him to earn his bachelors and master’s degrees at a university in India.

With family finances tight, he said his two sisters were not granted the same opportunities. He said he helps support his family back home with the money he earns working here.

"I have so much responsibility," he said.

Kumar said he hopes to one day be a professor, but for now he’s keeping his options open.

"I have very high expectations from my family," Kumar said.