BEATING THE ODDS 3 first-generation graduates share their stories
First-generation graduates, being the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree, deserve all of the credit. For these students, making it to graduation means they beat the odds — it means that not only did they make it through the academic rigor of earning a bachelor’s degree but they also successfully handled the unique challenges and stressors that have prevented many first-generation students from achieving their full academic potential. Here are the stories of three first-generation graduates that we’re incredibly proud to call Davenport University alumni.
Jessica Giddings Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting ‘19 Master of Accountancy ‘21 Staff Accountant, Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors Jessica Giddings grew up in Greenville, MI. Her dad is a maintenance mechanic and her mom, a homemaker. Jessica wasn’t pressured to attend college, but she was driven to earn a degree for herself. “I made plenty of mistakes and didn’t take the typical path of high school graduates, so earning a degree made me feel like I was on track for success,” she said. During her junior year of high school, Jessica had taken an accounting class and she felt strongly it was the career for her. After being offered the opportunity to join a mid-sized certified public accountancy (CPA) firm, Jessica knew she was on the path to her dream career. She applied to Davenport because many of the accountants at her firm had attended the university and were successful.
After being accepted at Davenport, Jessica received a scholarship from the state of Michigan and a scholarship through her employer. “Graduating with my degree has given me more self-confidence in my everyday life and has allowed for more responsibility at work and more trust from coworkers and shareholders.” Now, Jessica is a staff accountant in the Specialized Accounting Services Department at Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors. The majority of her time is focused on helping business clients with their payroll needs. “My degree makes me more valuable to the firm I’m with and that stability is priceless — stability in the household can potentially set up my kids for the same success.” Jessica’s advice to other first-generation students? “Do it and don’t hesitate — young or old, you can do this! Show others that dedication and determination will get you where you want to be in life. No matter what hurdles you’ve jumped over, and continue to jump over, make a college degree one of them — you won’t be disappointed in the outcome.”
“With the flexibility of Davenport’s online programs and the success rate of their students, I knew it would be the perfect school for me — as a wife, mom and full-time employee.”
First-gen students are more than 2x as likely to leave school within 3 years
11 | DU Review
