Meet our board and learn why they joined the First-Gen Former Student Network. These individuals are also our founding members.
Class Year: 2022
Hometown: Lampasas, TX
Current City: Kempner, TX
Occupation: Financial Analyst, Dell Technologies
“I found a life-changing community within the Regents’ Ambassador Program at the Mays Business School; it taught me the strength and uniqueness of first-generation college students. Now that I have graduated, I want to create a similar community for grads and use our Aggie network to encourage and support current first-gen students. “
Class year: 2018
Hometown: Madisonville, TX
Current city: College Station, TX
Occupation: Academic Advisor, Texas A&M University
“Not many people fully understand the challenges associated with being the first in your family to be a college graduate. We do! I wanted to join this network with the hope of giving back. The Aggies who I’ve met as a former student have been instrumental in my success. These people have believed in me, encouraged me, pushed me forward and brought me up with them. I hope to pay that forward. I want to be a resource and a friend to those navigating life as a First-Gen former student.”
Class year: 2019, 2022
Hometown: Killeen, TX
Current city: Forth Worth, TX
Occupation: Associate Attorney, Cantey Hanger LLP
“I joined the Network to connect (and re-connect) with other first-generation former students, learn how to navigate the professional world post-graduation, and provide mentorship to current first-generation students at Texas A&M University.”
Class year: 2009
Hometown: Bryan, TX
Current city: Bryan, TX
Occupation: Academic Advisor, Texas A&M University
“As a first-generation college student, I’ve had my fair share of obstacles to access opportunities. Challenges at every stage created a sense of doubt that I could achieve great things. It is this experience that drives me to be a part of the First-Generation Former Student Network. I want to support those who may have experienced what I have. I want to support those who have started their own stories of perseverance, resilience, and success against the odds. I want to support the unique “why” that each first-generation student has that fuels them to do great things. This is my ‘why’ for serving the First-Generation Former Student Network”
Class year: 2018
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Current city: Bryan, TX
Occupation: Program Coordinator for Student Leadership Development, Mays Business School at Texas A&M University
“I really believe in the idea of lifting others as we climb which made me want to be a part of this network. It’s all about paying it forward.”
Class year: 2020
Hometown: Plano, TX
Current city: College Station, TX
Occupation: Student Development Specialist, Texas A&M University
“I want to support first-generation students and graduates achieve their goals. Navigating college and the professional sphere can be challenging but with this network, I hope that as a group we can help lift each other up.”
Class year: 2011
Hometown: Copperas Cove, TX
Current city: New York, NY
Occupation: Director of NYC Programs, Junior Achievement of NY
“My education at A&M changed the trajectory of my life because of the resources that the university provided for first-gen students. This instilled a desire to pay-it-forward and this network taps into such a critical part of the Aggie Network! First-gen Aggie grads are out there doing great things and we have so much potential as a community—I’m excited to see what’s to come!”
