Nov. 11, 2024 | Ethan Simmons
For First-Generation Student Week in 2024, we highlighted stories from students at the College of Applied Health Sciences
RIHANNA SHEGOG
Kinesiology first-year student Rihanna Shegog grew up between Bradley and Shawneetown, Illinois—essentially, at both ends of the state.
It wasn’t until a college fair her senior year of high school that the University of Illinois first came on her radar. “Which is crazy, because it’s such a big school,” she said.
Shegog credits her time with I-LEAP—an AHS leadership program that supports first-generation college students—for helping her adjust to campus life.
“At first I felt a lot of pressure because I’m the first one in my family to go to college,” Shegog said. “But they really just want me to be happy and successful.”
VINCENT ANELLI
Vincent Anelli’s decision to come to Illinois was “a pretty obvious” one, he said, when he factored in the realistic tuition with the university’s top-notch speech and hearing science program. Now a sophomore, Anelli credits I-LEAP for teaching the basics of applying to research positions and internships early on.
“Being a first-gen scholar, there’s a lot of pressure to it, especially because my parents worked really hard for me to be here,” Anelli said. “It definitely helps me refocus, that I’m here for my academics. It’s a little daunting at times, but it’s a big motivator.”
AVA MONTAÑEZ
Freshman Ava Montañez searched for college programs that would help support a career in the sports industry. Illinois rose to the top of her list with its RST degree. And her family has helped her transition into college life. As the youngest of six siblings, Montañez leaned on her older twin sisters for advice in the application process. Together, they’re part of the first generation in their family to pursue higher education.
“I went to a small elementary school and middle school; coming to a school like this was a big change because I’m so used to knowing everyone around,” Montañez said. “But I had friends from my old school who came with me, and I have the I-LEAP program with staff I can go to.”
CLARISSA HARRINGTON
Clarissa Harrington was drawn to Illinois after a high school field trip to Champaign-Urbana, 90 minutes from her hometown of Springfield.
The sophomore initially wanted to join a pre-medicine track, but the focus of community health aligned best with her interests.
“After taking my first intro class and learning about community health and public health, I realized it was avbetter fit for me,” Harrington said. “I stayed in because I think it does a great job of helping minority communities on a large scale.”
The first-generation college student says she acclimated to campus “really fast,” serving on the I-LEAP student advisory board to help shape the university experience for incoming students on her same path.
