Oral Histories · A Leap of Faith: Documenting the First-Generation Undergraduate Experience

It would be impossible to properly document the histories of first-generation undergraduates at Duke without oral histories. Extended interviews were conducted with first-generation students and alumni over the summer and fall of 2016 and are included here. Take a listen to the unique experiences of each interviewee as they share their experiences before, during, and after Duke, and how being a first-generation college student has shaped them into the people they are today.

We know there are many more stories tell. If you are interested in sharing yours, please contact the exhibit curator at paul.popa@duke.edu.

Sue Wasiolek '76

Sue Wasiolek graduated from Duke in 1976 with a B.A. in Science Education.

Hayley Farless '17

Hayley Farless is a member of the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and is majoing in Cultural Anthropology with minors in Global Health and Women's Studies. She expects to graduate in 2017.

Samantha Garza '18

Samantha Garza is a member of the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and is majoring in Biology and Spanish with a minor in Chemistry. She expects to graduate in 2018.

Tiffany de Guzman '19

Tiffany de Guzman is a member of the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and is majoring in Political Science and International Comparative Studies with a minor in Italian. She expects to graduate in 2019.

Van Nguyen '19

Van Nguyen is a member of the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and is majoring in Public Policy and Statistical Science with a minor in Education. She expects to graduate in 2019.