On this episode, we sat down with Pepperdine First Lady Joline Gash, first-years Jalen Brooks and Jillian George, and RISE Director Stacey Lee Gobir at the RISE Roundtable. What unites them is that they are all first-generation college students/graduates, being the first in their families to attend and complete college.  Nationwide, about half of all undergraduate students are first-generation college students, according to the Center for First-Generation Student Success. And yet, the Department of Education‘s NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) finds that first-gen students are more than twice as likely to leave school due to a variety of obstacles. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, first-generation college students often bring many strengths, including a strong work ethic, unique perspectives, and resilience that enrich campus communities. Here’s what we learned from our conversations: The power of social support from friends, family, and faculty members in a first-gen student’s college journey  How to be open to new experiences and meeting new people The significance of finding a faith community and practicing gratitude in building resilience in college The importance of managing one’s time and prioritizing well-being as a college student The blessings and pressures associated with being a first-gen college student How to reframe irrational thoughts about having to be perfect to practicing self-compassion and seeking help from others Connect with us: Email: [email protected]  Instagram: @pepperdinerise Website: www.pepperdine.edu/rise/  Recommend a guest!: ​​https://forms.gle/HztkVNgrW85bvvd1A In this episode, we discuss… 01:14 The definition of first-gen college student  02:59 First-year first-gen students Jillian George and Jalen Brooks’ college experience 06:04 Sharing the first-gen college student experience with family 09:25 The importance of a spiritual journey  09:54 Naming the people in life who provide support during hard times  11:25 The challenges that come with managing a college student schedule 14:25 Pleasant surprises about the college experience 17:48 Jillian and Jalen’s advice to their high school selves 20:16 Resources for first-gen college students 21:27 First Lady Joline Gash and RISE Director Stacey Lee Gobir’s first-gen college experience 28:49 What it’s like to represent one’s family as a first-gen college student 35:17 The most rewarding parts of the college experience 40:48 Encouragement and advice for other first-gen college students 43:52 How to stay connected with RISE

Take a seat at the RISE Roundtable, a podcast from Pepperdine University’s Resilience-Informed Skills Education (RISE) Program, where we share and discuss what it means to build and live a life of resilience. On this first episode, we hear the origin story of RISE from the program’s founders: Connie Horton, Vice President for Student Affairs, and La Shonda Coleman, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. Three RISE student employees: senior Liza Esquibias, junior Emily Luong, and senior Kenneth Vargas also joined us, sharing what resilience means to them and how it shows up in their lives. Here’s what we learned from our conversations: How the RISE Program began and its vision for a resilient Pepperdine community How to consider the six dimensions of RISE resilience in your life: physical, social, cognitive, service, life skills, spiritual How one intentionally and unintentionally develops and strengthens their resilience, or their capacity to move through challenges How sharing stories of resilience can foster compassion How strengthening relationships and being present play a role in one’s resilience  In this episode, we discuss… 02:30 RISE’s origin and vision for the Pepperdine community 06:09 The six dimensions of resilience 10:54 Definitions of resilience 14:56 The power of storytelling 17:40 Connie and La Shonda’s advice to their younger selves 22:22 Resilience from a student point of view 24:29 Navigating adversities as a student 28:30 The importance of making connections, being present, and having balance 32:38 How to reach out to others 38:50 How to stay connected with us Connect with us: [email protected] Instagram Website Recommend a guest