Name:
Noah Vaughn Boggs Riley
Position Title or Student Involvements:
I am a student who works part-time in the Epley Band Hall office. I am also a member of the Razorback Marching Band and in the Hogwild Band. I am in Kappa Kappa Psi, ASTRA (Vice President and Treasurer), and Phi Upsilon Omicron.
What degrees have you obtained or are working on?
I am trying to obtain a BS in Human Development and Family Sciences in the Bumpers College.
What does it mean to you to be a first-generation student/graduate?
Being a first-generation is more than a label, it’s an experience. It means unwilling, automatic autonomy. You are in uncharted areas and exploring the unknown while others have a map or light in general.
Why is being a first-generation student/graduate important to you?
There is so much pressure on you from your family to succeed and excel further than they did. You have to make a name not only for yourself but also for your family. I use this stress to fuel my drive for success in not only my studies but also extracurricular activities. Being a first-gen is important to me because once I walk across that stage, it shows that resilience and perseverance it all that it takes to succeed. I may have been handed a certain hand to play with, but I used those cards to win my own game.
What piece of advice would you give to first-generation students?
Don’t be afraid to fail! Don’t let the label first-gen be a roadblock in your journey! You get what you put into your experience! Lastly, you are never alone! There are always resources!
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself that you feel is important for people to know about you?
I also am Native American from the Cherokee Tribe!