At Spoon River College, many of our faculty members once stood where our students stand now: uncertain, overwhelmed, and wondering if they belong. For first-generation students, that path can feel especially lonely. But take heart: your journey is valid, and you’re not walking it alone.
I was a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Greece with limited education and no English language skills. They eventually adapted, but they couldn’t really help me with school, I struggled through most of my early education. Despite the odds, I was accepted to Western Illinois University but continued to feel lost. In hindsight, I would have benefited so much from starting at a community college.
It wasn’t until grad school, while teaching short seminars, that I discovered a passion for education. I began adjunct teaching at SRC while finishing my master’s degree, and everything clicked. That sealed the deal. After working in both university and community college settings, I knew SRC was where I belonged.
Today, I am proud to be a part of a campus community that actively supports students who are just like I was. Through programs like TRIO, personalized guidance from Student Success Coaches, and small class sizes that foster real connections, SRC is committed to helping first-gen students succeed and thrive.
Elaine’s message to students: “Education is yours to keep and no one can ever take it away from you. Whether it takes two years or twenty, whether you switch paths or stumble along the way, just keep going. Your journey is valid, and it’s worth it.”