Ann McDonald, Esq.
Ann McDonald is General Counsel and Chief of Staff at FSU. She is "proudly public" having received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from two of the Commonwealth's public[GU1] colleges - Westfield State College and UMASS Amherst.
When asked to describe her experience as a first-gen college student, McDonald said: “There was never a question in my mom's mind that my brothers and I would go to college. Having raised the three of us on her own when my dad passed away, with the three of us under the age of four, there was limited financial resources to support that goal and public colleges were our best option. I remember having to sit with her during our holiday break each year to fill out the FASFA - she used to say, ‘If I have to do this - you have to also!’ First gen wasn't a ‘thing’ when I was in school - probably since most of my friends were the first in their families so we made our way through things together.”
A piece of advice McDonald would give current first-gen students: “Be willing to reach out and ask for help or ask a question - don't worry about the result. When I was an undergraduate at Westfield, my roommate worked at the library and I wanted to also. She walked me over to the financial aid director's office to see if I could get work study and he reviewed my file and approved it. Don't let your prediction of the outcome of your inquiry stop you from making it!”
John Palabiyik, Ph.D.
John Palabiyik began working at Framingham State University in 2018, where he currently serves as the Coordinator of the Hospitality and Tourism Management program and Chair of the Management and Business & IT department. In September 2024, he was awarded tenure and promoted to Associate Professor. He was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. His family has immigrant roots, originally moving from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Istanbul, Turkey and eventually, he made the move to the U.S. in 2001. While his immediate family—wife, son, and daughter—live with him in the U.S., the rest of his family remains in Istanbul.
When asked about his experience being first gen, Dr. Palabiyik responded with:
“I was the first person in my entire family to complete a university education, earning my degree in Istanbul, followed by an MBA and a PhD in the U.S. Eventually, my nieces and nephews also earned college and master's degrees. Both of my parents were incredibly kind and intelligent, but they only completed elementary school. My grandparents, while they didn’t finish elementary school, knew how to read and write, and they too were wise and thoughtful.
When I began college, my biggest challenge was not knowing what to do or where to seek guidance. I had to learn through trial and error, often making mistakes and facing failure. This process taught me the valuable skill of asking the right questions, learning from my mistakes, and handling feedback. Over time, I embraced the mindset that 'we never lose; we either win or learn.' Life—and everything in it—became a continuous learning journey, shaping me into a lifelong learner.”
When asked to share any advice he has with current first-gen students, Dr. Palabiyik responded with:
“It's always a bit tricky to offer advice these days, especially since most people turn to online sources or AI for answers rather than asking a living person. Even my own kids don’t always take my recommendations seriously, so I’m not sure how much weight my words will carry. But if any of you are open to it, here are a few things I believe are worth sharing. First and foremost, be curious. Ask questions. Curiosity is the key to learning and growth, and it’s something that should never be lost. Be curious about everything around you—your environment, your peers, your studies, and the world in general. Don’t hesitate to ask questions during your learning process. It’s the best way to truly understand and make sense of things. And while you’re busy with your studies, don’t forget to enjoy the ride. Yes, I know no one comes to college strictly for fun, but life itself is an enjoyable journey if you allow it to be. Savor the moments. Engage with the campus, your friends, and the learning process. Learning isn’t just about hitting the books; it’s about experiencing and embracing life along the way. So, make the most of your time, enjoy it, and take each day as it comes.”
Patricia Lynne, Ph.D.
Patricia Lynne is a Professor of English, where she teaches first-year writing courses and junior-level courses in science writing, technical writing, and teaching writing in middle and high school. She also coordinates FSU’s first-year writing program within the English Department. Finally, she is the Chair of General Education, and works with faculty from across campus to improve the program to improve the General Education experience for undergraduates who attend Framingham State.
When asked to share her experience as a first-gen student, Dr. Lynne answered: “I didn't know what I was doing, and my parents were not terribly supportive. They liked the idea of me going to college, but they didn't understand how it would change me. As my mother said when I came home for Thanksgiving during my first year, ‘You've gotten too big for your britches!’ But I kept looking for guides and information, and I had some friends whose parents had been to college. I soaked up all that information and kept asking questions of my advisors and professors and the professionals on campus. I was able to make it through because I kept at it!”
When asked to share any advice she has for current first-gen students, she responded: “I went to a large university, and it was hard to find people to support me. If I had attended a smaller school, like FSU, it would have been so much easier. Every student here can find at least one mentor from among the faculty, staff, and current students -- and probably more than one. We're ready to help you on this stage of your adventure!”
Meg Nowak Borrego, Ph.D.
Meg Nowak Borrego is the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. She advocates on the students' behalf on the executive staff and oversees several of the areas which support the students' out-of-classroom experience. She encourages student wellbeing, engagement, safety and belonging.
Her experience as a first-gen student: “I saw college as a means to an end. I am the oldest of six kids and the first five are six years apart. So, my parents were not involved in my college decision making or support. My mom did attend all my college graduations. I started at a community college because that was all that I thought I could commit to (2 years) and my major led to a very specific job - Fashion Buying and Merchandising. The idea of strong liberal arts courses was foreign to me as was an understanding of why people would live on campus. I transferred and changed my major a few times. I worked at least 30 hours a week all throughout college. I ended up getting an AAS, BS/BA, MS and Ph.D. and it took much longer than two years. When I left high school, I never imagined I would stay in college that long or ever work at one. I had to ask a lot of questions and ask for exceptions due to my family and financial situation. Fortunately, I am not afraid to ask for help and I am motivated. I like learning. In hindsight, each of my experiences helped me do this job better and to be confident that believing in someone can make a difference.”
Her advice to current first-gen students: “Ask questions, go to class, get to know your faculty/support staff before you need to ask them for help, get involved and enjoy this moment, believe in yourself. The best piece of advice I got - ‘Next year, go to college and work, don't work and take classes,’ this is a short period of your life, enjoy it and learn as much as you can about yourself and others while you're at FSU.”
Patricia Sanchez-Connally, Ph.D.
Patricia Sanchez-Connally is an FSU alumna and currently works as an associate professor in the Sociology/Criminology dept at FSU. She is also the assistant coordinator for the RAMS First Year Program.
When asked to describe her experience as a first-gen student, she responded with: “Exciting! I knew that I had a responsibility to represent people from my community. Finding people who were also first generation was key to my success. They are some of my close friends even to this day. I was lucky to have professors, mentors and folks who were there to answer all my questions and help me advocate for myself and others.”
Her advice to current first-gen students: “Reach out! Step out of your comfort zone and don't be afraid to ask questions.”
Lorretta M. Holloway, Ph.D.
Loretta Holloway is the Vice President of Student Success, which includes the Advising Center, Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA), Family Engagement, and the Office of International Programs/Study Abroad. She also oversees the laptop loaner program and other important programs to help students earn a degree. Before leading Student Success, Dr. Holloway was the VP of Enrollment and Student Development and, before that, she was a faculty member for 15 years in the English Department.
Her experience being a first-gen college student: “Neither of my parents went to college, nor did my grandparents. It was difficult because there were lots of things they couldn't help me understand, especially about financing school. However, what they did give me was a love of learning in general and supported my curiosity. There was pressure, but only because I thought about all the things my grandfather could have done if he was able to go to university. Also, there were things that I learned about or wanted to do that people at home--parents and community--did not know about or understand. It can be a very difficult balance.”
Her response to being asked to give advice to current first-gen students: “We understand. We are constantly thinking about what we might need to explain to you, your families, and your support network. It can be especially challenging to manage the connection to your community at home and the community that you build when you go to college. Those two communities are different for every student, but it can be especially complex for first-generation students when the community from which they come has very little knowledge about the world--rules, expectations, etc.--of university life. So explaining things to those at home can be both exciting but also hard. There are lots of people here who can help you with this balance because we know how important your success is not only to you but to your family and supporters.”
Emily Abel
Currently, Emily Abel is a career counselor in the Center for Student Experience & Career Development. She has worked at FSU for 15 years. Prior to her work as a career counselor, she was an academic advisor and ran a first-year program for first-generation students. Throughout her time at FSU, it has always been a goal of hers to help students get acclimated to college and to help them figure out their purpose here. As a career counselor, she tries to normalize the feelings of stress and uncertainty that come along with figuring out students' next steps.
Her experience as a first-gen student: “As a first-generation college student I struggled with feeling like I belonged on campus and how to navigate preparing for my career. I also struggled to connect with my family once I went to college because our experiences were becoming so vastly different.”
Her advice to current first-gen students: “Find mentors and try to connect to campus through an on-campus job, club/organization, sport or some activity. Having that connection can open so many next steps and get you the help you don't even really know you need. You are not alone!”
Sarah Pilkenton, Ph.D.
Sarah Pilkenton is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Food Science where she teaches both introductory level and senior-level chemistry courses. She also works with students on research projects with topics ranging from the identification and quantitation of healthful molecules in plant extracts to the synthesis of nanoparticles.
Her experience as a first-gen student: “I attended college in my hometown and was a commuter because it was what my parents could afford. Although I wanted to move out of my parents' home and have an on-campus college experience, going to college in my hometown was the best decision for me. My undergraduate alma mater, UVA-Wise, was founded in 1954 because there were no public colleges in Virginia west of Radford which made higher education out of reach for many of us growing up in the mountains of southwestern Virginia. Many of the faculty teaching at UVA-Wise were first generation as were most of my friends. It seemed like we were all navigating the ins-and-outs of higher education together. I was very fortunate to have Wayne Edwards as my advisor. I am pretty sure that he was a first-generation college graduate. He taught me a lot about time management and finding a community that I fit in with through College 101, and he helped me find my way to a double major that I really thrived in. He also encouraged me to ask for help when I needed it - like going to office hours. Because of the location of the college and the population of students it served, It seemed like the faculty and staff were always available to answer questions about classes and financial-aid, and I was fortunate to have two on-campus jobs (grading for the math department and prepping labs for the natural science department). It was only when I graduated from college and attended graduate school that I realized the big divide between first generation college students and those with parents and even grandparents who had attended college. I had no concept of college rankings, no idea that parents took their children to visit college campuses to learn about different types of schools, and no concept of the difference between small undergraduate only institutions and research universities.”
Dr. Pilkenton’s advice to current first-gen students: “There is a community of faculty and staff here at Framingham State invested in helping first generation college students navigate the ins and outs of higher education. Don't be afraid to reach out. We are here to help.”