'Behind the Blue': Martina Martin discusses UK’s first-gen students By Kody Kiser
Sometimes being first in something comes with its own unique set of challenges. Take, for example, the journey of being a first-generation college student, meaning neither of your parents earned a bachelor’s degree, regardless of siblings and other relatives. In many cases, first-gen students face psychological, academic, financial and social strains that other students don’t, and are statistically at-risk to leave college within the first three years.
At the University of Kentucky, nearly 1 in 4 incoming freshmen and 1 in 3 transfer students are first-generation college students. First-Generation Student Services supports first-generation students at UK from recruitment to graduation through research-based programs, resources, best practices and campuswide advocacy about the needs of students who are the first in their families to go to college. Advisors advocate for first-generation students within their colleges and collaborate with other campus offices to provide the best resources to promote the success of first-generation students at UK.
As associate director of Student Transitions and Family Programs, Martina Martinoversees current programming and new initiatives for first-generation and off-campus students.
In addition to her work with first-generation and off-campus students, Martin is a member of NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education (KABHE). She is also involved with the Graduate and Professional School Showcase and Jamal Mashburn Scholarship Committee.
On this episode of "Behind the Blue," Martin talks about the challenges some first-gen students face, the resources available to them, the special bonds peer mentors build that help lead these students to success and more.
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