Today went from amazing, with opportunities to be in community with like minded folks. To horrible, with a likely end of my job on the very near horizon.

I knew this could happen. I knew how likely attacks on grants were. It still hurts.

ATTN: folks who identify as first-gen to college professionals. Dr. Williamson and Dr. Wallace wanna holla at you for a minute.

I... just finished my final class of my doctorate. I'm officially done with coursework and am about to start my comprehensives. I did not expect to have quite an emotional reaction to hitting submit on my last assignment. #FirstGen

I’m back to presenting at conferences! Tomorrow, I talk about how to use #data to show #GEARUPworks and ensure programming is hitting the outcomes you want. In October, I talk about imposter phenomenon in #FirstGen students and how to help overcome it through intentional practices and mentoring.

And I’m done with another year of my doctorate. One more to go!

Oh, well, just found out that my advisor is leaving my institution. I guess I get to figure out how getting a new advisor goes?

I can’t believe that today is my last in-person class of my #doctorate program.

Just officially enrolled in the last of my doctoral coursework for the summer, and dissertation hours for the fall! So surreal to be at this point and to be so close to earning my #doctorate.
#FirstGen

As a #FirstGen student, graduate, and eventually-to-be doctorate holder, nothing feels better than helping my former students get back on track in their educational journey.

Registered and excited!

Saturday classes make earning a #doctorate while working full-time easier, but I am so tired after 1-day weekends. But, next weekend, I get to take a busload of #FirstGen students on a campus visit, then maybe some sleep?

Learning this is one of the best parts of my night.

Allowing myself to take breaks is a huge change in my doctoral program. I just got back from Puerto Rico and the idea that I can take a vacation mid-semester and not feel overwhelmed or guilty that I wasn't working or studying would be wild to my #firstgen masters degree self.

Quantitative work has always scared me as a #firstgen student (and especially now as a doctoral student). But I am actually loving my quant class.
I don't know whether it was the heavy math aspect, the more "professional" (heavy quotes) method of research, or just straight imposter syndrome.

It makes sense that my first follow is @smartgirl07.bsky.social, half because I just bought her book (no I don't have an excuse for why it took so long) and half because I expect this account to lean heavily into my research on #firstgen, work with first-gen, and random complaints about *all this*

It is overwhelming working in a federally funded college access program and studying towards a doctorate in higher education administration while all of *this* is happening. Even if the Dept of Ed survives in name, does anyone believe it will still really exist?