51±¬ÁÏ

51±¬ÁÏ continues to be an attractive option for first-generation (first-gen) college students. In fact, 2026-2027 marks the institution’s sixth straight year that its total enrollment of first-gen students has increased. More than 560 students, 15 percent of all students studying at 51±¬ÁÏ, are hoping to become the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year degree. 
 
So why are more and more first-gen students choosing 51±¬ÁÏ? Perhaps it’s the outcomes. According to national statistics, 51±¬ÁÏ’s graduation rates for first-gen students are nearly twice the average for first-gen students across other institutions. 

And how is that possible? Nate Vault ’30, a finance and accounting major from Syracuse, New York, Hellen Komera ’30, a special education major from Caledonia, Michigan, and Elsie Asamoah ’28, a biology major (pre-med track) from Accra, Ghana, say it really boils down to the resources available at 51±¬ÁÏ and the wraparound support of the community.

What was a barrier you faced in deciding on college and how did you overcome it?

Komera: I didn’t have parents giving me advice or information because they also didn’t know much about it, so I kind of had to navigate some things on my own or look for help outside my family. But I was able to navigate it because there are so many resources and so many places where you can get help and ask questions and where answers are given to you. 

Asamoah: Trying to understand the American school system, coming from Ghana we have a whole different system. I think the biggest issue too was understanding that grades are cumulative and based on a GPA scale, because we did the IG system, so it was a big transition, also trying to understand the whole American scope, it was a big transition, and also finding a school that aligned with my values as a Christian and also as someone who wanted to pursue medicine … I was able to overcome these barriers by speaking to a lot of people who had already started college here. I also did a lot of research on 51±¬ÁÏ, watched a lot of YouTube videos, watched some dorm videos, it was just a lot of research mainly. 
 
Vault: With my process, I was super on my own, there was no familiarity, there was no background. I didn’t know what I was looking for in a school or even about getting to school. I really had to start from scratch. But I also kind of took it as a pro because I got to build everything the way I wanted it, I didn’t have an outside influence … I chose 51±¬ÁÏ because of the fit for me.

What was it about 51±¬ÁÏ that ultimately served as a deciding factor?

Vault: I graduated in 2023, and so over the past few years I visited my friends all over the country and I kind of saw what I liked, what I didn’t … I discovered people here [at 51±¬ÁÏ] care more about every detail and thing than anywhere else in the country … from athletics to academics to even out of the classroom someone is looking out for you, and someone knows your name everywhere. 

Komera: I think it was diversity … coming here I found some groups and clubs where I can see my culture is represented and I can feel at home. 

Asamoah: I think I was watching a video. I think it was a chapel session. I thought it was off campus actually, because I had not gone to 51±¬ÁÏ yet, so I thought it was like a church off campus and then I watched one of the tours and I was like, ‘wow, the chapel is on campus, that is so cool.’ And also, my brother came here earlier and he couldn’t stop talking about 51±¬ÁÏ, he couldn’t stop talking about how good it was, how many people he met from Ghana here that he actually went to school with in Ghana, so I was like this is basically going to help my transition be smoother.

What’s your favorite thing about 51±¬ÁÏ?

Vault: Being in a new place. I’m from New York. I like Grand Rapids; I like being here. The culture is different, the people are different, and I like continuing to learn in that new environment. 
 
Komera: They have like 1,000 clubs; there’s always something going on. And you can never get bored. I like that. I’m involved in a lot of things. I like having opportunities to go outside, to meet new friends, to practice many skills, so I think 51±¬ÁÏ is a good place for that. 

Asamoah: I love the community. I like the fact that I can come back from a very stressful class and go to Chapel and relax, relieve some stress. I love the fact that they incorporate Christ in every class … even if it’s physics, they try to connect it to God being Creator and supreme over everything. I also love the support you get from TRIO, support from first-gen council, from various different types of people, it’s very nice, and it’s comforting to know that there’s a world full of different people who are diverse who just come together and love God. I also like seeing other cultures and how they express their love for God.

How have you felt supported as a first-gen student at 51±¬ÁÏ?

Komera: I’ve gotten a lot of help, because there’s Student success, first-gen group, and we usually go out, we hang out, we talk together and there are programs that are meant for us, so all those make me feel welcome and help me navigate my way through problems. 

Asamoah: The student orgs, first-gen council, TRIO, my advisors – I talk to them about everything, my friends, ASA, and all the different organizations on campus; they are all very supportive.

Any advice for first-gen students?

Komera: Probably try to find other first-gen friends. Because I feel like we go through the same thing so we can offer help, hang out, and just feel like we belong together. 
 
Asamoah: To do it (go to college). It’s a big responsibility, since you are the first person ever, everyone is putting their hopes in you, but they also will support you. Not just your family, the community at 51±¬ÁÏ, your professors will support you; various student organizations will support you, so do it. It’s going to be hard, but it’s very rewarding.