STARTING THE JOURNEY

Giving a helping hand to first-generation students

Zoe Hazel ’22, Friendship, Wisconsin

At Ripon College, we believe in the transformative power of education. Nowhere is this more evident than with first-generation students, those whose parents did not graduate from a four-year college.

First-generation students often come from families with little first-hand understanding of higher education or those who may have a lower economic status. First-generation students, who often are the first even in their extended family to seek higher education, are especially empowered to use their education and experience gained at Ripon College to achieve their dreams and rise to new economic and career heights.

In the incoming first-year class of 2023, 105 students — 48% of the class — are first-generation students. Maythe Salcedo ’23 of Round Lake Beach, Illinois, Sol Gonzalez ’22 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Luke Dretske ’21 of Berlin, Wisconsin, are among the firstgeneration students currently at Ripon who are seeking to advance their lives through education.

All three say they had had a college education as a goal since they were young, but none of them had previously been aware of Ripon or were immediately sold on the idea.

Salcedo learned about Ripon during a college presentation at her high school. She wasn’t sure about Ripon because of its sticker price, but “I had to start the college application process, I didn’t know where to start and I knew it was free to apply, so I applied,” she says. “Little did I know that Ripon was going to accept me and give me a hefty financial aid award.”

The family of Maythe Salcedo ’23 celebrated with pride her first day at Ripon College. “The lady on the left is my grandmother, Rosa Ramirez; following is my Uncle Antonio C. Beltran; across the front are my sisters, 13-year-old twins Claudia Salcedo and Miryam Salcedo; behind my beautiful sisters is my amazing father, Marco Antonio Salcedo; the little boy there is my dear baby brother, Marco Antonio II; then there’s me and then my outstanding mother, Claudia Mariana Salcedo. My grandma and uncle took the day off of work just to be here. My uncle wanted to come with us, but there was no room in our van for my things and all the people so he decided to take all my things in his truck so that I may be able to enjoy time with my family. I am a first-generation Mexican-American college student, and this not only brings me joy and pride but also to my family in Mexico. Most of my family resides in Puente Grande Jalisco, and they were kept updated throughout the day.”

Gonzalez had a similar experience. “Ripon sent me their free application and I said, ‘Why not?’,” she says. “It was a free application. I never saw myself going to a private liberal arts school but learning a little more about Ripon and their curriculum after sending in my application, it became an option. It took me a while to commit to Ripon but after a long thought and more researching, Ripon felt like the right choice.”

Sol Gonzalez ’22 discusses the positive effects of wind energy as part of a Catalyst 220 group poster presentation in Todd Wehr Hall in December 2019.

Ric Damm

Dretske says his parents always discussed the importance of a college education, but he didn’t look into Ripon at first because he lived close to Ripon and initially wanted to go to school a bit further away. “However, after further thought, I decided it was the most suitable choice for me,” Dretske says. “It allowed me to pursue my desired majors, continue to sing in a choir and become involved in the student government.”

Luke Dretske ’21 tutors Abigail Urbina ’23, a first-generation student from Round Lake Beach, Illinois, at the Franzen Center for Academic Success.

Ric Damm

Although none of these students initially expected to come to Ripon, each has found great value in their decision to become a Red Hawk. Support services and financial aid have been quite helpful for all of them.

“Starting with the SSS office, they try to help all of their students as much as they can,” Gonzalez says. “The office really helped me find my place here and not ever feel like I didn’t belong. Ripon also was very generous with my financial aid; without this, I would have never been able to afford an education here on my own.”

Dretske adds, “Student Support Services helped with building résumés for internships, graduate school applications, summer research opportunities and scholarships.”

All three of these students have a lot of support from family members. Gonzalez’s parents always pushed her to do her best in school, to take things one day at a time and to make sure to enjoy every moment. “They are my biggest supporters in everything I do,” she says.

Dretske adds, “Growing up, my parents placed a priority on education and set … a hard work ethic each and every day, which has pushed my brothers and me to strive toward success.”

Salcedo is the first in her family to graduate from high school much less go to college. Her family has aided her in much of her college search process and decisions. “My parents were very proud of me when I graduated from high school and they helped me through the college application process,” Salcedo says.

“My father drove me to my college visits, and my mom listened to me rant about my college options. … A part of the journey also included my grandmother who works the night shift at Walmart, my uncle who works at Thornton’s and my siblings who encouraged me throughout!”

Salcedo is a self-designed major with a focus on subjects such as philosophy and religion. She hopes to gain a better understanding of subjects such as religious persecution and religious asylum, with an ultimate goal of attending law school in Washington, D.C.

Dretske is a double major in finance and politics and government and hopes to work in the private sector while going through a part-time graduate program. After that, Dretske hopes to pursue a career in public office “to implement real change in the world.”

Gonzalez is a double major in business management and communication. She hopes to open a Tex-Mex restaurant after graduating.

BRIDGING THE TRANSITION

Each summer, four days before the start of the fall semester, the Bridge Program at Ripon College welcomes incoming first-generation first-years.

Sponsored by Student Support Services (SSS), Bridge helps these students make a smooth personal and social transition to college life. The Bridge experience provides information on available campus resources; facilitates workshops on success techniques with an emphasis on early tutoring services; offers actual classes with Ripon professors; demonstrates the connection between a college degree and a successful life and career after graduation; provides information about graduate school; and creates opportunities for students to create a support network with other first-year students.

“Students are exposed to a wide range of information about best practices related to academic achievement, the value of a four-year college degree, what to expect in an actual college classroom and how to successfully function in a college environment,” says Dan Krhin, executive director of SSS.

The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Education Student Support Services grant.

FINDING OPPORTUNITIES IN HER OWN BACKYARD

Alexis Riggs ’21 of Ripon, Wisconsin

Hanan Majid ’21

Alexis Riggs ’21 of Ripon, Wisconsin, had challenges as she prepared to achieve her dream of higher education. She is a first-generation college student from a family with limited means and she was born missing the lower part of both arms.

But with a lot of determination and a lot of help, her dreams are coming true. Riggs is majoring in anthropology and minoring in sociology. She plans to go on to graduate school to study vocational rehabilitation counseling and become a Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) counselor.

She wants to help people with disabilities get the resources they need to get jobs.

She says that being a person with a disability and having her own DVR counselor gives her a unique perspective that will enhance her ability to advocate for others with disabilities.

Since May 2018, Riggs has been a job coach for Diverse Options in Ripon. She accompanies people with disabilities to their community workplaces and helps them develop the skills they need to succeed. On campus, she works for the Office of Financial Aid and tutors in anthropology and sociology at the Franzen Center for Academic Success.

She also participates in Love Your Melon, an organization that supports the fight against pediatric cancer; is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority; and is on the executive board of Panhellenic Council.

She says her family is really proud of her, “especially being first generation and having a disability. They don’t always know how to help me because they haven’t experienced this kind of thing. I always knew college was something I would have to do because it’s hard having any kind of physical disability and trying to get employment. I had to get some type of higher education. It gives me more options.

“I’m setting an example for my younger brother and trying to do my best for both him and my parents,” Riggs says.

BEING A FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT BRINGS PRIDE TO A WHOLE FAMILY

Jacob Cedar ’23 of Oakfield, Wisconsin

Ric Damm

Higher education was always the goal for Jacob Cedar ’23 of Oakfield, Wisconsin. “I have always strived to be the best person I can be, and I felt college would be the perfect next step for me to better myself,” he says.

But it was a big step as no one else in his family had attended college. After enjoying a baseball camp at Ripon, Cedar did further research about the College and its academic programs. “I found all of the things I wanted to see, including the major I was pursuing, and felt it was a good fit for me,” he says.

Student Support Services has been especially helpful in his transition, providing services such as the opportunity to move in early, participate in a program to help him succeed and provide guidance such as note-taking methods.

“To have this opportunity is truly a blessing,” he says. “Being the first person in my family to attend college, I have been able to achieve goals that haven’t been achieved before. In addition, I want to represent the family the best I can and make everyone happy.”

His parents tell him this opportunity is a blessing for them, as well. “It is tough to put into words,” they said. “It means so much to us on different levels. Hopefully achieving high education success gives you the ability to do and be better than us. Be better prepared for life.

“But it also represents another time in your life where we, your father and mother, can share in firsts. Especially because you are our firstborn. Like your first steps, the first time you talked and walked. The first time with throwing a ball and playing baseball. We all shared that together. You represent the Cedar family as the first in the family ... so the pride runs deeper than us.”