By Morgan Vanderlaan and Kathryn Pizzurro
Sarah Hoffer grew up in a house that bled orange and blue. Her dad made sure of it — every game day, the family cheered for the Gators, even though no one in the family had ever set foot on the University of Florida campus as a student. So when Hoffer became the first in not just her immediate family but her entire extended family to attend college, the moment felt bigger than just her. “When I got accepted, it felt like we all got in,” she said.
Becoming a Gator was a shared triumph, emotional and unforgettable. She brought her parents to her mom’s first UF football game, and when the men’s basketball team made it to the NCAA finals, she called them immediately. They drove up from Orlando to Gainesville to celebrate together. But behind the proud milestones was a quieter weight. “I had to learn that I was here for me, not my family,” Hoffer said. “Of course I’m proud to represent them, but I was afraid to make a mistake and let them down.”
Like many first-generation students, Hoffer faced the challenge of navigating college life while carrying the hopes of those who had paved her path. It took time, and courage, to find her own way forward.
“First-generation students often face unique concerns that their peers may not, such as navigating the emotional weight of being the first in their family to attend college,” said Assistant Dean Adrienne Provost. She has a passion for ensuring first-gen students achieve success, motivated by watching her husband’s experience as a first-generation student.
“They may feel pressure to succeed, not only for themselves but also to set an example for their families,” she said.
Many may also lack access to certain informal resources, like advice on internships or career-building opportunities. “These challenges also shape them into incredibly resilient individuals, developing a strong work ethic, a deep sense of gratitude and a commitment to making the most of their educational experience,” Provost said.
Consequently, having specific services for first-generation students is critical, as it provides a tailored support system that addresses their distinct needs. Nationally, November 8 is recognized as the First-Generation College Celebration, a tradition UF upholds each year. In 2024, UF celebrated this cohort of students through a week-long celebration, with Farrior Hall coming alive with banners reading “I Am First” and “#firstgenUF”. On November 7, CLAS hosted a celebration with multiple panels including alumni, students, faculty and staff.
“Meeting fellow first-gen students filled me with immense pride,” said panelist and first-generation UF alumna Kim Zelaya-Wagner (Psychology ’14). “Each story is a testament to breaking barriers and reaching for dreams. Sharing the space with such inspiring individuals left me deeply humbled, reinforcing the profound impact we can have when we lift each other up.”
Director of the African American Studies Program and Associate Professor of History David Canton was also a first-generation college student and panelist at the event. “When I was in college, we didn’t use the term. Back then, either your parents went to college or they didn’t. We didn’t understand the magnitude of what that meant. There’s a college culture that’s created that you don’t know until you get there.”
With an open-door policy, through career counseling, office hours and mentorship programs, Canton said he does everything he can to help ease first-generation students into the collegiate experience. He said he wants students to think about why they are passionate about their majors and find internships and career paths that will fulfill their individual interests.
It’s not about giving first-generation students a separate experience from that of other students; it’s about leveling the playing field and meeting first-gen students where they are already, Canton said.
“With the right support, they often exhibit a strong sense of resilience, determination and work ethic,” Provost said. “Many of them are motivated by their personal dreams and a deep desire to set an example for their families and communities. By providing them with mentorship, academic advising, peer support groups, career counseling and financial literacy programs through the university, we help bridge the gap between the challenges they face and the success they can achieve.”
Despite challenges, the potential for success in first-generation students is immense, Provost added.
Hoffer is currently a third-year criminology major, minoring in philosophy. A member of UF’s award-winning Phi Alpha Delta Pre Law mock trial team, Hoffer participated in the national conference and competition in Washington, D.C. this past fall. The UF teams placed first and third overall and Hoffer herself was awarded the Outstanding Attorney, first-place honor. Being recognized nationally for her work wasn’t just a victory for Hoffer — it was a testament to every sacrifice her family made and the strength it took to choose her own future.
