First in the family

PBC welcomes and embraces students from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we have a special affinity for students who are among the first in their family to attend college. Most of our student body represent the first generation in their families to attend college. Contained on this site are inspirational reflections from some of them. In addition to serving as reassuring narratives, these stories identify people willing to serve as resources and mentors for our new students. Members of the PBC community who are among the first in their family to attend college share their reflections. “This wasn’t an easy decision for me or my family, taking the time to go to college and not working was a financial sacrifice but the investment in my future is so worth it! Now my parents proudly tell relatives that they have a college student in the family.” “My grandmother is so proud of me, she never was able to go to school or even afford any education for my mother, so I am the first person in my entire family to consider and actually go to college.” “After dinner my children and I all do our homework – it is really interesting how they are beginning to understand that just because you are a grown-up you don’t stop learning.” “I had to argue with my father to let me come to PBC, he didn’t see the purpose for me to go to college. Now that I am about to graduate and I have a scholarship to attend Lehman College he is so proud.”