First Gen Wall

BORATHA TAN
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
2016

MY STORY: Being part of the first generation can often mean that you are experiencing many other "firsts" alongside your family. For example, you could help your parents sort through mortgage paperwork to buy your family's first home. Or, you could help your father fill out his application for unemployment benefits. Or, you could be an interpreter for your mother during jury selection. I am the first in my family to receive a bachelor's degree. But I sure had my share of "firsts" with the rest of my family.

Even as western culture praises individualism and self-identity, you cannot ignore all the challenges and victories that you face with your family. For me, being a first generation requires a healthy balance of personal growth and a deep love for family.

I don't have my degree with me (in Detroit). It hangs on the wall in my parents' home. That's because "my" degree is, in reality, our family's degree.

KIMBERLY KANE
Bucknell University, BA, 2008
Villanova University, MA, 2015

BRIAN DE JESUS
College of Nursing
Nursing
2014

MY STORY: I am and will always be proud to be a first generation college student. My parents were only able to each receive their associate’s degrees, and neither had much financially as they began their lives here in the United States. They wanted to be able to give their 3 sons more than they themselves had growing up, so I can only I will continue to make them proud as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. And now, my youngest brother also has the opportunity to be a current student here at Villanova. 

REGINA SORGINI
Professional Studies
Leadership
2014
OPIR

MY STORY: My parents were older when they had children and they believed in hard work to make a good life. They encouraged everyone to get full-time jobs. I started my career in municipal work and attended evening classes at the local community college. I got married, had two children and when our youngest entered 2nd grade I went back to work full-time and part-time to college earning an Associate's degree. I came to work at NOVA in 2010 and then finished my B.A. in Leadership in 2014. As an adult learner, it is an experience I have truly valued and has deepened my love of learning. Now I am on my way to earn a master's in Education with a concentration in higher education. 
 

JOHN EDATHIL
CLAS
History
2005

MY STORY: My parents are immigrants who came in with just a little more than high school education. Raising 4 children all within 6 years of each other in age, they relied on their faith to carry them through the hard times. My oldest sister got a Presidential Scholarship and I was encouraged to apply for both the Presidential and Martin De Porres scholarships. I got the latter. While it wasn’t always easy, I persevered over both academic and personal issues to complete my degree. 

AMANDA GARZIO-HADZICK
Engineering
Environmental Science
2009
Engineering-Staff

MY STORY: Words can not express how grateful I am to my parents for encouraging me to go to college. They taught me how to work hard and sacrifice; I owe my grit and fortitude to them. I am so grateful for the opportunities that I was given, for the mentors that helped me along the way, and for my unique perspective as a first generation college student. I discovered strength that I didn't know I had. 

SIMON CANTOS
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
2005

MY STORY: Born in Sydney, Australia, I moved to the east coast of United States in 1990 and graduated from Villanova University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Currently working full-time as an Inside Sales Engineer at Carrier Corporation, I assist in the design, construction, and sale of HVAC systems for large commercial applications. I actively participate at various disability conferences in the Philadelphia area, mentoring affected children and providing advice and support to their families to encourage their successful endeavors.

CELINA ALEXANDER
Business Admin, MBA
2004, 2005
Office of Intercultural Affairs-Staff

MY STORY: I'm a proud born and bred Puerto Rican Bronx girl that was the FIRST to graduate college with a Bachelors and then an MBA! My parents supported me through every step even when they didn't understand them all. I had to learn how to apply for college and financial aid on my own and took many missteps along the way. As frustrating as it was, it taught me a sense of independence and resourcefulness that I never take for granted. Because of those experiences, I landed on a career in higher ed, and don't see myself anywhere else, in order to give back to current students and alums!

KATE SZUMANSKI
CLAS
History/Political Science
1995
Directory of Professional Development

MY STORY: My parents encouraged my sister and I to do as well in school as we could. "Your job is to be a great student and to do your best," I remember both my Mom and Dad saying. I took their wishes very seriously, and when it was time to enroll in college, I selected Villanova University. Somehow, in someway, financial aid worked out, and I found myself at Villanova as far from my neighborhood in the Northeast section of Philadelphia as I could imagine. While a mere 35 minutes away by car, I felt thousands of miles away.

Although I felt the distance from home and at many times questioned being at Villanova (Am I as smart as the students around me? Can I keep up? Am I a fake? A phony? Did an Admissions officer mistakenly let me in?), something happened, and it is difficult to articulate.

As my time here grew, I too grew as an individual. And as I became more involved with my academic work, the Villanovan newspaper, the Band, Residence Life, the Writing Center, and my campus jobs, I began to build and extend my life here, and my world expanded enormously. I connected with more people, made lasting friendships, and created a new home.

Opportunities abounded, and I felt that yes, I too belong at Villanova, and not only do I belong here, but I am also very much part of the fabric of life here. I help to make Villanova what it is. I am a part of the community here, and this matters.

That little voice that questions my presence still speaks to me, but it isn't as loud as it once was, and when I hear it, I can shut it down

ELOISE BERRY, Ph.D.
Arts and Sciences
Psychology
1992
Student Life, Director
Office of Intercultural Affairs

MY STORY: I am First Generation. I grew up in West Philadelphia with two hard working parents and two siblings. I was fortunate to have had parents who valued education and sacrificed to send me to parochial and private schools, an older brother who earned a college degree and a cohort of friends who were college bound. As a result of hard work, I was fortunate to have earned a BA, MS, and a PhD by the age of 28. It was necessary for me to rely on mentors for guidance at each level of education. I am very thankful for having had emotional support from my parents even if they did not fully understand the magnitude of the tasks I faced. 

CATHLEEN MILLER
Drexel University
Design & Merchandising
1983
College of Nursing

MY STORY: My parents, the first generation of their families to be born in the United States, were determined that their children would attend college. My father attended Drexel University (then, Drexel Institute of Technology) pursuing an electrical engineering degree but had to stop to provide for his family. My parents helped when they could, however, I worked to put myself through college. I know that my graduation day was one of such pride to my parents and grandparents. My goal for my children is that they live at the college they attend and are not required to work to pay for their tuition.

CLAYTON BANNAN
Engineering 
Electrical Engineering
Dec. 1991
Engineering Staff

MY STORY: I came from a relatively low-income single mom family. My personal interest in Amateur Radio and electronics as a child motivated me to pursue a four year degree. One of my first jobs was as a computer technician in Edgemont, PA. I learned about the electronic technician job opening here at Villanova from my old boss. While I worked in this position starting the summer of 1988, I enrolled in our part-time evening program for Electrical Engineering in the Spring of 1989. I came to Villanova already with a two year Associates in Engineering Degree from DCCC community college. Being the first and only child to earn a four year degree, I must say that God has blessed me immensely. I am a proud father of four girls which one is currently attending Boston University as a nutrition major. A second is attending Villanova University as a Civil Engineering major.

GERALD BEYER
CLAS
Dept. of Theology and Religious Studies
1992

MY STORY: I grew up in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. My family, like many working class families, invested in their children's education in the hope that they would be the first to graduate from college. Thanks to the generosity of donors who saw the need to create access for students who cannot afford college, I benefitted from a full tuition scholarship to Georgetown. It was really challenging socially and emotionally at times to attend a prestigious university as a first generation student among mostly students from affluent families. However, I had wonderful mentors who helped me navigate college life. Having determined that I too can succeed academically, I went on to earn an M.A. and Ph.D. My approach to higher education as a professor is shaped by the gratitude for the opportunities I had. 
   

VALENTINA DENARDIS
CLAS
Classical Studies

MY STORY: My parents are immigrants. My mother did not have the opportunity to attend college and my father started working as an apprentice to a tailor as a child. I am grateful for the educational opportunities I've had and I am dedicated to helping others achieve their dreams, whether they are college undergraduates, graduate students, or just lovers of lifelong learning.

LINDA HAUCK
SUNY Binghamton
CUNY Queens
Temple University
History

MY STORY: I am fortunate because college was much more affordable when I graduated from high school then it is now. My parents didn't feel like they could help me navigate the college experience, but they were emotionally and financially supportive. Also I believe my experience as a 1st generation college student was less daunting then it is for students now, because. at that time at public university, many of my peers were also 1st generation.

JEREMY KEES
VSB
Richard J. and Barbara Naclerio Endowed Chair
in Business; Professor of Marketing

MY STORY: I was raised as an only child in a small town in Kentucky by my mom (homemaker) and dad (artist). I was fortunate to attend Belmont University on a basketball scholarship. If not for basketball, I likely would have taken a very different path after high school. With the help and encouragement from various mentors in my life, I graduated from Belmont and went on to earn an MBA and PhD. As a child, I never would have imagined ever leaving Kentucky, let alone being on the faculty at a world-class university like Villanova. I am thankful every day to those who invested and believed in me over the years. Go Cats!

MARYKAY KLARA
St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia
Management/Marketing
1989

KATHERINE LUCATORTO
Glassboro State College
Fairleigh Dickinson College
Columbia University
Thomas Jefferson University
Education, Nursing
1984, 1986, 1993, 2011

MY STORY: My parents strongly valued education and fully supported their children pursing higher education degrees. I was the first of three children to graduate from college. I have had the fortune of earning two bachelor's degrees, a master's degree, and a doctoral degree. However, what stands out most is the day my father, my brother and I all graduated from the same university. A few years later, my mother and youngest brother both graduated together. Lifelong learning is something I continue to pass on and share with my children.

MICHAEL PAGANO
School of Business
Robert J. and Mary Ellen Darretta Endowed Chair in Finance

Like many first generation students, my family did not have much resources to send me or my four brothers to college but we made it work through scholarships, loans, and personal sacrifice. For my parents, they view all of us graduating from college as one of their greatest achievements in life. I graduated with a degree in economics / finance and went to work in the financial services industry for 10 years before going back to get a PhD and MBA. My first academic position was here at Villanova in 1999 and I have been here ever since! I feel very fortunate and blessed to be here and work with such great students, colleagues, and staff.

IRENE RIVERA
Georgia State University
Religious Studies
2016
Campus Ministry-Staff

MY STORY: I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. Navigating applying to college, applying for financial aid, and trying to discern what degree to choose was a challenging process because I did not have very much guidance from my parents or community. However, I am ultimately thankful for the experience I had because it taught me to be self-sufficient and creative. This experience also taught me the importance of self advocacy. I am proud to be a first-generation college graduate and wish to support any Villanova students who are the first person in their family to enter college.

PATRICIA RIZZO
Bryn Mawr College
History, Italian Literature
1977

I was the first in my Italian-American family to go to college. My parents both would have been so successful had they had the opportunity to attend college, but unfortunately, that was not the case. Instead, they instilled in me and in my sister the importance of education and made certain that we both graduated from college. With this base, we both were able to go on to professional schools.

We both were blessed to have been given college scholarships but there was still quite a gap as far as paying for our educations. My parents worked hard to pay large parts of these gaps, and my sister and I both had jobs and took out loans. As a family, we made it work. But, besides the financial issues, there were other changes that our college educations brought. Our parents wanted us to have education, but as we became educated, we, in some ways, moved away from them. We were put on paths different from our blue-collar background. New ideas, new ways of expressing ourselves and living, were foreign to our parents. They were perplexed about many things. They loved and supported us, but could not help us with college and career decisions, as they had not had these experiences. First generation college students have to figure it out for themselves.

Being able to attend college was life-changing, to be sure. We were so fortunate, so blessed, to have parents who risked change in order to provide the best for us.

BARRY SELINSKY
CLAS
Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development

MY STORY: My dad was a World War II veteran who planned on attending college using the GI Bill, but had to go to work in the coal mines to support his extended family. He and my mom (first stay-at-home, then administrative assistant) sacrificed to insure that their four kids all had the opportunity to attend college. We ate a lot of spaghetti and bologna, and my brothers and I caddied and washed dishes at the local country club during the summer months. While it wasn’t easy, all four of us graduated from college and ended up with advanced degrees, including my PhD in Biochemistry. My parents were proud of our accomplishments, and we were privileged to have parents who challenged us to succeed. 
    

JOE TOSCANO
CLAS
Psychological and Brain Sciences

MY STORY: I'm a faculty member in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. I was the first in my family to graduate from college and the first to receive a PhD. I grew up in Rochester, NY, and although my parents did not have college degrees, they valued education and helped to ensure that I went to college. I was also fortunate to have wonderful mentors during my undergraduate and graduate school years, and I'm grateful to now have the opportunity to support and encourage first generation students here at Villanova!

TOM UMILE
CLAS
Chemistry

MY STORY: Although neither of my parents graduated from college, I owe much of my academic successes to them. They taught me the value of hard work, good manners, and self-reliance. They helped me to develop strong study habits by helping me to study in grade school, sitting on the porch memorizing times tables, or taking me to the library to do research (in those pre-Internet days!). They fueled my adolescent interests in reading and made sure I could get my hands on any comic book or novel I wanted. In college and graduate school, when my parents could no longer academically assist me, they became my cheering section and encouraged and supported me every step of the way. As the son of parents without college degrees (and the grandson of hard-working folks who didn't finish high school), I am proud to admit that nothing I have accomplished has been done in a vacuum. Indeed, my successes have very much been a team effort!

THERESA WOSCZYNA
Profesional Studies
Leadership
2017

MY STORY: While my parents did not have money to send me to college after high school and my high school experience was mostly for the social aspects of life, they always encouraged me to learn. They did not drill it into me but subtly said, "never stop learning". After raising my children, I heeded their advice and earned my B.A. in Leadership and a minor in Information Systems. As an adult learner, it is an experience I value, enjoyed and appreciated since my first day of class.