On commencement morning at Howard University, the line of graduates stretches across the stage, caps straightened, names called one by one. Among them are hundreds of seniors who arrive at this moment without a family precedent to follow.
As they cross the stage, they carry more than degrees; they mark a first in their families, representing a milestone that extends beyond the university.
Jaiden Thomas, a senior journalism major from Atlanta, is graduating this spring as the first in her family to do so. While both of her parents attended four-year universities, she’s the first in her family to receive a degree.
“Being a first-gen student, it’s an opportunity to break a generational cycle; it’s about starting something new, a tradition that can be followed by my children. Just because it started with me, it won’t end with me,” Thomas said.
While Thomas will be the first college graduate in her family, her parents emphasized academic excellence and professional success.
“Both my parents jumped straight into their career field, but academics was always prioritized in my household, and they knew my journey wouldn’t stop at high school; they were in full support of whatever aspirations I had,” Thomas said.
When she graduated from high school, Howard stood out to her for its opportunities in journalism, which ultimately led Thomas to commit in 2022 in pursuit of higher education after her college years.
“I feel like I’ve always had this chip on my shoulder, because I’m a first-gen student. It’s always that added pressure, not even from my family, but from myself – to always achieve greatness,” Thomas said.
Thomas acknowledged resources for students like the Howard University Student Association’s Non-Traditional Student Department.
“In terms of acquiring the resources available, you really do have to put yourself in a position to find them because they’re not always openly displayed. For example, I know HUSA has a department for first-gen students, which is a big resource I’m not sure a lot of people know about,” Thomas said.
Thomas also spoke about her journey with Howard’s social and cultural life, finding that community was dependent on one’s ability to put themselves out there. She also shared a sentiment that the culture at a historically black college or university (HBCU) provided her with a sense of unity.
“Coming to Howard, I think this whole family or community thing was preached. I will say it’s there; however, you do have to put in more effort to find it yourself, rather than being welcomed with open arms,” Thomas said.
She shared that while community was hard to find at times at Howard, she expected things to be harder at a predominantly white institution as a minority of the student body.
Thomas spoke about her unique understanding of work ethic as a first-generation student, and how she’s changed from freshman year to now.
“I feel like you have to have a certain level of hustle and grind in comparison to the other [people] who don’t necessarily experience the same challenges that you do,” Thomas said.
Graduating a year early, Stacy Uzowuru, an English major from Houston, Texas, also spoke on her journey to graduation.
“I feel like college was normal, my parents kind of threw me in the deep end, and just hoped I’d find my way. As someone sheltered, I was looking at it as my outlet, to really develop in every way, knowing that my parents, as first-gen Americans, didn’t have that,” Uzowuru said.
Socially, Uzowuru said that Howard exposed her to a unique environment where she navigated meeting people from different backgrounds, identities and personalities. Uzowuru wasn’t exposed to many things she saw at college, like networking, parties and responsibility, and she had to navigate that in her first-year.
In her senior year of high school, Uzowuru toured predominantly white institutions but after visiting Howard’s campus, the welcoming and kind spirit drew her to the university.
“My parents, coming from an African background, also recognized that they wouldn’t be able to come here without African-Americans, so they wanted me to come to an HBCU like Howard,” she shared.
Uzowuru said her mother came to the United States at the age she is now and din’t have the means to go to college.
“When they came to this country, all they could do was work multiple jobs,” Uzowuru said. “They remind me it’s such a blessing that I’m doing something they couldn’t have ever done.”
As she concludes her journey at Howard, Uzowuru spoke about the lessons and sentiments she’s learned, ending her final year at Howard.
“I have friends in this country who are international students by themselves, they don’t have parents at all, and they’re still doing amazing.” Uzowuru said. “The journey to success isn’t linear; no matter what your foundation is, you can still get there.”
Dhasan McComb Jr., a senior business management major from Kingston, New York said as a first-generation student, he had no expectations or guidelines to navigate the campus.
“Even when I first got accepted into Howard, my family was so shocked because of the history and legacy you can build at Howard’s campus.” McComb Jr. said. “To be honest, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. When I got here, I had to figure it out. I found who I was, built a network, and made the most of the opportunity in front of me.”
In his time at Howard, McComb Jr. immersed himself in campus culture, serving as a mentor on campus through Bison Buddies and My Brothers Keeper, and he is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Beta Chapter, while even starting his own brand @GratifiedGrmnts, where he puts his skills in entrepreneurship at the forefront.
As a first-generation college student, McComb Jr. spoke about his experience, representing a milestone for his family and an opportunity to establish a foundation for future generations. Graduating in four years was his goal, an unprecedented achievement for his family.
“Being a first-generation college student is starting something and achieving something no one in your family has. It’s the definition of being a trailblazer,” McComb Jr. said. “It’s being able to start a legacy that my little siblings and my cousins can follow.”
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.