Article by Julie Waechter, special assignment for Adams State
Since its founding in 1921, Adams State University has prioritized students who are the first in their families to attend and graduate from college. Nearly 40% of the university’s current 1,728 undergraduates are considered first generation (neither parent completed college.) An endowment designed to further support such students was recently created by two Adams State vice presidents who themselves successfully navigated higher education as first-generation students.
Jacob Rissler, vice president of advancement, teamed up with Savala DeVoge, Ed.D., vice president for student affairs, and her husband, Lane, to create the “Grizzly Summit First-Generation Student Endowment.”
“All three of us are first-generation and understand the trajectory that a bachelor’s degree can offer,” VP Rissler said. They created the endowment to help eliminate some of the obstacles these students face. The trio is joined by two anonymous donors in creating the endowment, currently at $40,000. Their goal is to increase it to $100,000.
Adams State kicks off the endowment on November 8, which is National First-Generation Celebration Day. Several campus events are planned to create awareness and celebrate first-generation voices and experiences, Dr. DeVoge said. Among the activities planned is a panel discussion of faculty and staff sharing their experiences and perspectives as first-generation students.
VP Rissler explained, “Many first-generation students are unaware of even how to begin college – the application process, registration, and navigating the financial aid process. Once in college many of these students might feel like they don’t belong or fit in. They may be behind when it comes to study habits and navigating the college campus/classes. They also often come from socioeconomic backgrounds that make it hard to participate in athletics, extracurriculars, study-abroad, internships, etc. This is so important in the San Luis Valley.”
Overcoming personal struggles
Dr. DeVoge’s mother died when she was 11. “In my town, the choices were to get married, go to the military, or go to jail. I wasn’t a fan of those options.” She was determined to attend college and succeeded, despite a lack of role models and mentors. “I didn’t even know about the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) until my doctoral program,” she said. She financed her education with various scholarships and through campus involvement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice/sociology/legal studies from Weber State and a master’s in Higher Education Management and Leadership from Webster University, both in Utah. She then earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Idaho State University. Her husband, Lane, earned a Medical Assisting degree from Brown Mackie College.
“My parents were divorced; I had to figure out college on my own,” VP Rissler said. Fortunately, his high school business teacher took him under her wing and walked him through the college application process. Then Rissler’s father died — on his first day at Chadron State College in Nebraska. He got the call in the morning, but still attended his classes, then drove home to Wyoming for the funeral. He ultimately earned a bachelor’s and master’s in business administration, graduating debt-free.
He and the DeVoges said resilience, grit, and a growth mindset are essential characteristics first-generation students develop. Among their challenges are a lack of role models, financing their college education, and becoming acquainted with the mechanics of “doing college.”
Working with first-generation students attracted both vice presidents to Adams State. “That is the story of this place, where you get to serve this type of student,” Dr. DeVoge said. VP Rissler agreed: “That’s why I wanted to be here, at a small, public, rural institution where you know the students.”
Last year, Student Affairs created the First-Generation Committee, with cross-campus representation to give students the tools they need to succeed. Most of the committee members were themselves first-generation college students, including Dr. DeVoge and Provost Margaret Doell, M.F.A.
“We are providing not just academic support, but wrap-around services to support student success,” Dr. DeVoge said.
For example, the group is working on a resource guide to help students understand the terminology of higher education, how to get involved, and how to stay in college. It is responsible for developing programming and initiatives that can be funded by the Grizzly Summit First-Generation Student Endowment. One possibly is a contingency fund to help students take advantage of opportunities such as study abroad or unpaid internships.
“We are exploring how to celebrate first-generation identification, and how to combat imposter syndrome,” Dr. DeVoge added. “When we improve services to help first-generation students, everyone benefits.” She noted Adams State is a First Scholars member of the National Center for First Generation Student Success and is involved with the ECMC Foundation, whose goal is to eliminate equity gaps in postsecondary completion by 2040. Faculty training and other services are available through these organizations.
Adams State students, faculty, and staff will sport First-Generation t-shirts November 6 to 8. “We invite our alumni and community members to contribute to this effort,” VP Rissler added. Donations can be made by contacting the Adams State University Foundation at 719-587-7122, or secure give. Contributions to the Grizzly Summit First-Generation Student Endowment may also be sent to the ASU Foundation, 208 Edgemont Blvd., Alamosa, CO 81101.
