First Gen Fridays - Michelle McKinniss

Manager of Student Success Programing, Michelle McKinniss

First Gen Friday is a monthly first-person narrative written by other first generation college students who are now fellow faculty, staff, and students at Ohio State Marion. The goal of the stories is to provide advice to other first generation college students and create a sense of belonging among the campus community.

I am someone who can genuinely say that I love my job. I love being a part of the energy on a college campus and I love working with students and watching them grow into better versions of themselves. However, if you would have told the younger version of me that I would be working in higher education, I probably would have laughed as my goal my freshman year of college was to work in Forensic Behavior Analysis for the FBI- because it looked so cool on TV!

I grew up in Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, a very small town about 15 minutes south of Findlay, Ohio in Hancock County. My family had roots in this town that went back generations, and it was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone (and would tell your grandparents if they saw you misbehaving). My parents both worked in factories in Findlay, just as their parents had done. My dad worked nights and often missed things of mine growing up because he was on such a different schedule than everyone else. His schedule was also difficult for my mom because she was often acting as a single parent because my dad was always sleeping or at work. I realize now what sacrifices they both made to provide for our family.

I was always a good student, and academics came relatively easy to me. I don't remember making the decision to go to college as I just always thought it was expected of me because I was "smart enough". As my senior year of high school came and it was time to apply to colleges, I sent in exactly one application- to The University of Findlay. It was the only college that I knew (because it was local) and I had never stepped foot on their campus before my first day of class.

The main classroom building at UF was a three-story building, with classrooms on the upper floors and business offices on the first floor. I remember walking past the "Bursar's Office" and wondering what that was. I went home and asked my parents what they did in that office, but they had never heard the word "Bursar". They told me to go ask someone at school. I vividly remember feeling panicked as I didn't want anyone at school to know that I didn't know what a "Bursar" was. In fact, this single word made me question if I belonged in college if I didn't even understand the words written on the office doors. I had classes in that building for four years, and never once asked anyone.

Looking back on my journey as a first-generation student, I recognize that sometimes higher education makes things seem more difficult than they really are- and Ohio State is no exception. The "Bursars Office" is just another name for the "Business Office". But because I never asked anyone, I allowed that single word to influence my confidence and sense of belonging for four years. We have a culture of caring at The Ohio State University at Marion and it is my sincere hope that no student (first-gen or otherwise) ever feels like they can't ask a question out of fear of being judged. This campus is a safe place and there are many staff and faculty members to help guide students along the way. And because higher education doesn't always make things as straight forward as we could, please know there are no dumb questions, so please ask. There are people on this campus to help you make the most out of your college journey- because it is exactly that- YOUR journey, so make the most of it!

First-generation support networks, like Buckeyes First, provide a safe space to ask such questions and supports the culture of caring at Ohio State Marion. The goal of Buckeyes First is to support first-generation student success by providing access, information, and education to our first-gen students.

To learn more about how you can be involved in Buckeyes First, email [email protected] or visit our Buckeyes First webpage.