First-generation graduates redefine what’s possible
“She held my hand in the beginning when I signed up,” said Wanda Elise ’26, of her daughter Stevi, a first-generation UMGC graduate. Elise credits Stevi and her other daughter, Stefani, both college graduates, with helping her take the first steps back to higher education.
"I was a little lost at times but started to do my own thing and saw I could get As."
Elise is now preparing to cross the stage as a first-generation college graduate herself, an achievement she says means more than many realize. Without a parent or guardian who completed college, first-generation students must navigate unfamiliar systems, learn academic expectations on the fly, and shoulder the pressure of being first.
A shift in opportunity and outlook is reflected in the stories of Afsana Abdul ’26 and Elise, both new graduates of University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), a public university focused on expanding access for adult learners.
Uncharted territory
Elise was raised in Washington, D.C., later moving to Maryland where she took some college courses decades ago. After returning to college in her 50s, she is now graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science, while continuing to pursue her lifelong love of art.
“At 64, I’m ready to walk across the stage as a first-generation graduate,” she said. “People really need to understand what comes with that.”
Abdul, graduating with a bachelor’s in computer science, came to the United States as an exchange student from South Africa. Her parents’ generation was shaped by apartheid, which limited access, mobility, and higher education opportunities.
"My sister and I are the only two that have gone this far," she said. "It's a very proud moment for my parents; they are still wowed by it."
Hurdles to overcome
For first-generation students, even basic steps can feel overwhelming, and uncertainty can become a defining challenge.
“I didn’t grow up knowing what to do or how to do it,” said Elise. “My parents didn’t go to college. That conversation just wasn’t there.”
Abdul had a similar sense of uncertainty, though it was rooted in a different history. The opportunities available to her were largely out of reach for prior generations, leaving her in unfamiliar territory as well.
“My grades were not the best the first few weeks,” Abdul admitted. “It worried me.”
Professors and advisors reminded her that growth takes time and persistence is key to learning.
“When we got further, I got a 100 in my discussion forum, my assignments, and homework. I thought, now we're going somewhere.”
A winding road
For Elise, persistence was reinforced by her daughters’ encouragement and a growing sense of accomplishment.
For Abdul, the journey unfolded differently. After moving to a research hub and starting a new full‑time job, she was drawn to computer science, a field that, at first, felt unfamiliar and demanding. But progress built momentum and confidence.
"Coming from a non-technical background, being able to understand coding [languages] like Python and Java showed me that with hard work I can succeed," Abdul said.
"[Now] I would say I've exceeded my expectations."
Support that makes a difference
Before they begin their studies, every UMGC student is assigned a success coach who helps them map the path they will take and offers advice throughout the process.
Abdul gave substantial credit to her success coach, Leslie Maddox.
"She wanted to make sure I had full support, was in good communication with my professor and classmates," Abdul said. "She also helped with choosing classes and guiding through unknowns."
For Elise, too, the relationship with her success coach, Savannah Kushner, was critical, especially in her early days with UMGC. Then, registration, test taking, and other basics were still foreign concepts.
"She helped me navigate the complexities of college life," Elise said. "Her unwavering support, guidance, personalized encouragement, and conversations provided the bridge I needed to balance my goals and make this dream a reality."
Crossing the finish line and changing expectations
Along the way to graduation, Elise celebrated other milestones. She made the Dean's List, received the President's Scholarship twice, and was inducted into Pi Gamma Mu, the international honor society for social sciences, accomplishments she once thought were out of reach.
"My proudest moment,” Elise said, “was receiving the official email confirming my graduation and finally filling out the details to pick my date" to cross the stage at Grad Walk.
Abdul—also on the Dean’s List—talked about the journey in terms of academic, professional, and personal growth.
"Studying computer science at UMGC while working full-time showed me that I’m capable of far more than I once believed."
Both graduates agree that they are better positioned today.
"It wasn't always easy, but learning programming and problem-solving strengthened my confidence and resilience," said Abdul.
Elise, who has been accepted into a master’s program for art education, points to multiple transformations, in her own life and in the lives of those around her.
“All my family and friends are now having that college conversation," Elise said.
Afsana Abdul ’26 BS, Computer Science