Supporting First-gen students is important to me because I was a first-gen student and want to give back by helping others who are in a similar experience as I once was. It took me 5.5years to get my Bachelor's degree and I almost didn't graduate. I received my masters after 4 years while working full time. I stayed in higher education and love what I do because I want to give back and help students the way many great staff and faculty helped me succeed in my college career. I currently serve as the Hawkeye Service Breaks Coordinator where we complete 24hours of volunteer service over the spring break in different cities across the U.S. I'm excited that my role allows me to give back to students but also different communities across the country! I grew up in a small town back in New York and I identify as LGBTQIA+. I have a cat, I love octopi and I collect postcards (I have over 15,000). It's important for me to get to know people for who they are and give them space to be themselves.