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News for Colorado's San Luis Valley
Adams State University has a new way to support 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.
The trio created the endowment to help eliminate some of the obstacles these students face. They are joined by two anonymous donors in creating the endowment, currently at $40,000. The goal is to increase it to $100,000.
“All three of us are first-generation and understand the trajectory that a bachelor’s degree can offer,” Rissler said.
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Adams State kicks off the endowment on Nov. 8, which is National First-Generation Celebration Day. Several campus events are planned to create awareness and celebrate first-generation voices and experiences, DeVoge said.
“Many first-generation students are unaware of even how to begin college – the application process, registration, and navigating the financial aid process,” Rissler said. “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 is part of the path for many first-generation students. 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 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,” 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 bachelor’s and master’s degrees 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 the challenges are a lack of role models, financing a college education, and becoming acquainted with the mechanics of “doing college.”
Adams State created the First-Generation Committee to help. “We are providing not just academic support, but wrap-around services to support student success,” Savala DeVoge said.
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.
To support Adams State’s efforts, donations can be made by contacting the Adams State University Foundation at 719-587-7122. Or by visiting secure.qgiv.com/for/nfccd.
Contributions to the Grizzly Summit First-Generation Student Endowment may also be sent to the ASU Foundation, 208 Edgemont Blvd., Alamosa, CO 81101.
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