My name is Hunter (he/him). I’m a linguistics major and a senior at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
I joined the Being First Collaborative because I am passionate about equitable and accessible education for all. My journey as a first-generation college student has been a difficult one, as it often feels like you are navigating alone. But throughout this collaborative, I have had the pleasure of sharing my experiences as a first-generation college student with my fellow first-generation students. The sharing of stories made me realize that I was not alone in this journey, but we needed resources to direct faculty on how to mentor, advise, and help students like me and my peers on the team.
To me, an inclusive classroom is understanding, compassionate, and equitable. An inclusive classroom recognizes its diverse population. This recognition allows students to feel more confident in their academic journey, as well as gain a compassionate nature that propels them to help others. However, this inclusive classroom is only possible with faculty who can guide students from all backgrounds.
I also would like to say thank you to my fellow team members and our amazing leaders!