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Some stories require a little more – a little more discussion, more context, more depth and breadth. 

That’s the idea behind “Behind the Blue” – a weekly podcast created by UK Strategic Communications. It is designed to explore through probing interviews the in-depth the stories that make UK the university for Kentucky and that have impact across the institution, the Commonwealth and, in some cases, the world. 

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  2. December 2nd, 2022 - Martina Martin (First Generation Scholars)

December 2nd, 2022 - Martina Martin (First Generation Scholars)

Transcript

Dec 2, 2022

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2022) – Sometimes being first in something comes with its own unique set of challenges. Take, for example, the journey of being a first generation college student, meaning neither of your parents earned a Bachelor’s degree, regardless of siblings and other relatives. In many cases, first gen students face psychological, academic, financial, and social strains that other students don’t, and are statistically at-risk to leave college within the first three years.

At UK, nearly 1 in 4 incoming freshmen and 1 in 3 transfer students are first-generation college students. First-Generation Student Services supports first-generation students at the University of Kentucky from recruitment to graduation through research-based programs, resources, best practices, and campus-wide advocacy about the needs of students who are the first in their families to go to college. Advisors advocate for first-generation students within their colleges and collaborate with other campus offices to provide the best resources to promote the success of first-generation students at UK.

As Associate Director of Student Transitions and Family Programs, Martina Martin oversees current programming and new initiatives for first-generation and off-campus students.

In addition to her work with first-generation and off-campus students, Martina is a member of NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education (KABHE). She is also involved with the Graduate and Professional School Showcase and Jamal Mashburn Scholarship Committee.

On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Martin talks about the challenges some first-gen students face, the resources available to them, the special bonds peer mentors build that help lead these students to success, and more.

Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue, “ email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu  or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.