Name:
Briana Marie Huett
Position Title or Student Involvements:
Grants Officer, Arkansas PBS Foundation; lecturer, University of Arkansas Department of Political Science
What degrees have you obtained or are working on?
Ph.D. in Public Policy, Public Management track, University of Arkansas Master (M.S.) in Statistics and Analytics, University of Arkansas Master in Public Administration (M.P.A.) and Nonprofit Studies, University of Arkansas B.A. in Sociology, Concentration in Gender and Sexuality Studies, Davidson College
What does it mean to you to be a first-generation student/graduate?
Privilege. I feel privileged to have been able to receive the education I have. Being a first-generation college graduate means I defied a lot of odds to navigate the college preparation, application, and financial aid process largely on my own. Being a first-generation student means a lot of trial and error, frustrations along the way, but joy and a feeling of accomplishment at every milestone you pass. It represents a hard, rewarding journey that has made me a stronger person.
Why is being a first-generation student/graduate important to you?
I am so proud of being a first-generation college graduate. It’s important for me to represent my family in this way, to have a degree that we can all share. Their hard work, love, and support made it possible for me to get this far, and completing my higher education is a way for me to reciprocate, to thank them, and to show them that all of this was worth it.
What piece of advice would you give to first-generation students?
Don’t be afraid to ask your professors for help. Take charge of your education. Begin forming relationships with your professors that can blossom into a mentorship that will be so important for you moving forward, especially since you don’t have the knowledge from your family on how to navigate college and, more specifically, your education and career planning. Professors care about you and want to support you – don’t hold yourself back. Advocate for yourself. You have every right to be here, and you deserve the best education you can receive. Don’t lose sight of your worth.