Celebrating first-generation students every day at UC Blue Ash

Crysteannah Carpenter was raised in foster care and is thriving now as a first-generation student at UC Blue Ash.

Being the first in your family to achieve any major accomplishment can be exciting and rewarding. Being the first to attend college can actually change the trajectory of your family members for generations to come.

"It means a lot to me because I came from a different background with three sisters, and we were all in foster care," said Crysteannah Carpenter, a first-generation college student at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College.

Carpenter is studying to become a radiologic technologist with the goal of going to medical school. "This will make a huge difference in how my sisters will grow up. It also shows resilience and perseverance through something so challenging," she said

Carpenter credits the Ohio Reach program, which is available to UC Blue Ash students who were in foster care, as a resource that helps provide critical support as she pursues her degree.

Andrew Nixon encourages future first-generation students to overcome any fears they might have about college.

While about a third of college students nationally are the first in their family to go to college, that number is nearly 50% at UC Blue Ash. First-generation students are referred to as trailblazers since they are taking a step into a new world, oftentimes without much support or insight from their family about how to prepare or what to expect.

"It's unchartered territory in my family, but I felt it was what I needed to do to get where I want to go in life," said Andrew Nixon, a psychology major and student ambassador at UC Blue Ash.

Nixon said that while his parents are proud of him for taking this important step, he had to rely primarily on the staff at UC Blue Ash to help him navigate his college journey. "There are a lot of tremendous resources here. Anything you need to know, you can just go to one of the offices here and they will help."

Navpreet Dhanju feels the pride of her family as she becomes the first to attend college.

Navpreet Dhanju is studying nursing after developing an interest in health care while helping as a caregiver for her grandmother. That experience drove her motivation to go to college.

"I wanted to challenge myself and grow as a person," Dhanju said. "I also knew I wanted to do something in nursing and in order to do that I need to get my associate degree to begin my career."

After graduating this spring, Dhanju plans to continue working toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then a master's degree, with the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. She adds that her parents are very proud of her choice to go to college.

"It's about turning my family's sacrifices into opportunity and proving that our dreams are possible," she said. "It's not always easy, but every step I take represents progress, not just for me, but for my entire family."

Going to college can be intimidating for many students. When you don't have a road map you can follow from family members who have experienced higher education, it can be daunting. Today's first-generation students offer advice to others who might be considering whether college is possible.

"Starting college as a first-gen student, you don't have a lot of support," said Dhanju. "You might have the emotional support from your family, but in regard to applications and just not knowing what do, it's very hard. Always be open to new challenges and new experiences and always ask questions. Never feel like you're alone."

Carpenter said participating in campus activities and connecting with staff has been critical to her success. "By getting involved at school and really trying to network, I've been able to successfully navigate college so far. As long as you get involved and build that village around you, anything is possible."

Nixon echoes the advice about getting involved on campus. He also suggests that first-gen students who are worried about whether they should try to pursue a degree should put any doubts they have to the side. "Feel the fear and do it anyway. It's surprising how many things you can do just by saying 'I want to.'"

Featured Image: Andrew Nixon pictured on the UC Blue Ash campus. Photos/UC Blue Ash.

UC Blue Ash College is a regional college of the University of Cincinnati. It combines the resources and academic excellence of UC with low tuition, personal attention and a welcoming campus community that is nationally recognized for advancing student success. The college is located on a scenic 135-acre wooded campus in the heart of Blue Ash, Ohio. To learn more, visit us online, call 513-558-9495, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X and Instagram.

Peter Gemmer

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