Brianna Escoto, senior in integrated marketing communication, is a Wichita native
graduating from Wichita State in spring 2024. She is currently a communication intern
for the Office of Financial Aid.Courtesy
First-Gen at WSU: Brianna Escoto
Nov. 6, 2023
By Strategic Communications
F1RST GEN SHOCKERS
F1RST GEN SHOCKERS promotes initiatives for first-generation students to ensure their
success and seeks to build a culture of awareness and celebration for first-gen students
at Wichita State. We are proud to be F1RST.
Wichita State University is home to nearly 5,000 first-generation students, individuals
whose caregivers weren't able to complete a college degree and who lack the firsthand
experience to tackle college life. To help with their transition, Wichita State offers
a number of resources to first-gen students to support them during their time in college,
including F1RST GEN SHOCKERS.
Hear from Brianna Escoto, a current first-gen student at Wichita State, about their first-gen experience.
Hometown:
I was raised in Wichita. I graduated from Wichita South High School.
Major:
I am a senior majoring in Integrated Marketing Communication.
How does it feel to be the first member of your family to attend college?
It is a privilege to be the first member of my family to attend a university. I share
this accomplishment with my parents. Were it not for their sacrifices, I would not
be where I am today. I feel honored and proud to graduate in the spring of 2024.
What support have you received as a first-gen student?
Some of the most notable support that I have received as a first-gen student is from
TRIO Student Support Services. They have been a great help and have provided incredible resources. I am grateful
for the TRIO SSS staff and their investment in my future.
What piece of advice would you share with incoming first-gen college students?
I would encourage first-generation college students to take advantage of every resource
and opportunity that is made available to them. Take a chance and attend an event
you may be unsure about because you never know what you can learn. I would also stress
the importance of networking. It is essential in the professional world. You never
know who you can get connected with. One way to start is to join a campus organization.
Is there any advice you would share with faculty or staff who work with first-gen
students?
If I could share some advice with faculty or staff working with first-gen students,
it would be to have empathy and go over everything, even if you feel it is common
knowledge. Students come from different backgrounds and have different levels of exposure
to college terminology or procedures. It can be difficult for students to admit they
are lost, but having an in-depth discussion with an advisor can ease their worries.
What do you hope to do after you graduate from Wichita State?
I hope to work in higher education when I graduate from Wichita State. I would love
to be a part of a communication/marketing team that provides resources to students
and aids them in their college journey.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling
more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students
from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech
are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in
the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM),
Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of
applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one
of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing
over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
