When Matthew Tiller walked across the stage at 麻豆原创鈥檚 commencement in May 2025, he carried more than his own dreams. As a first-generation college student, he carried the hopes of his entire family.
鈥淏eing the first in my family to attend college means breaking a barrier and opening a door that was never there before, 鈥淭iller shared. 鈥淚t feels like I鈥檝e paved a new way for my family, not just for myself.鈥
Tiler, who double-majored in English and Psychology, admitted that the journey was not easy. His family, though proud, did not know how to help navigate applications, deadlines, or financial aid. 鈥淗onestly, they didn鈥檛 really know how to support me, so college became a learning environment for both me and my family,鈥 he said.
He isn鈥檛 alone. For fellow first-generation student Tamiya Rooks, a Biomedical Science major with a focus in Pre-Veterinary Medicine, the experience has also been about perseverance. 鈥淔or me, being a first-generation college student means that I have managed to beat the odds,鈥 Rooks said. 鈥淭o my parents, it means that they did an amazing job with raising their children and get to see her grow more. Making them immensely proud.鈥
At Wesleyan, Tiller found mentors who guided him through. Professors in the English program offered academic and personal support, while supervisors in the Financial Aid office helped him grow into a leader. 鈥淲orking there was more than a paycheck, it was mentorship,鈥 he said. 鈥業 know I would not be the leader I am without their guidance.鈥
Rooks echoed that feeling of support. 鈥淏eing the first in my family to go to college, I wanted a community that believed in my potential and would give me the resources to succeed, and Wesleyan offered that,鈥 she said.
Faculty and staff play a vital role in this culture. Paige Wells, Director of the Campus Experience, knows the challenges first-generation students face because she lived them herself. 鈥淎s someone who was a first-generation college student, I fully believe my personal experiences have uniquely equipped me to support students from similar backgrounds with greater empathy and intentionality,鈥 she said. 鈥淭o me, this work is more than just a job鈥攊t鈥檚 a personal mission.鈥 Wells also notes that misconceptions about the financial side of college often discourage families. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not because they don鈥檛 care鈥攊t鈥檚 simply a lack of information and familiarity with the process. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so important to create welcoming spaces where students and families feel safe asking questions and getting honest guidance.鈥
That sense of belonging doesn鈥檛 end with graduation. Wesley Mercer, now a Helpdesk Technician at NCWU, once stood where today鈥檚 first-generation students do. 鈥淚 feel like a lot of people are overwhelmed or scared of the idea of going to college. When I first started as a student, the staff and faculty were much more helpful than I originally thought,鈥 he reflected.
Today, Mercer is proud to be part of the institution that helped him succeed. 鈥淚 am excited that I get to be a 鈥榩iece of the pie鈥 that is Wesleyan. It is amazing to be on the other side of the institution that meant so much to me as a student. It is almost surreal to see things from the other side.鈥
For Mercer, the highlight of his journey remains graduation. 鈥淜nowing that I finally did it is still my proudest moment,鈥 he said. 鈥淓ven as a staff member, I always really enjoy getting to go to graduation and seeing students get their diplomas.鈥
Both Tiller and Rooks admit the challenges were real. For Tiller, it meant forging ahead without a roadmap. For Rooks, it meant leaving home and stepping into the unknown. 鈥淎pplying to college was the easy part really, but preparing for it was the most difficult,鈥 she reflected. 鈥淚t鈥檚 never easy to leave your home and family to go to a new place, even if it is for your benefit.鈥
Despite the obstacles, each points to proud milestones. Tiller cites leadership awards and internships. Rooks highlights completing her first year and joining the lacrosse team, something she had dreamed of for years. 鈥淚鈥檝e made so many new friends who are really like family to me now, and that means so much,鈥 she said.
Nearly 45% of Wesleyan鈥檚 student population are first-generation college students. Many faculty and staff were once first-generation themselves, making them uniquely able to mentor students like Tiller and Rooks. Wells notes that one of the biggest barriers is simply understanding the process. 鈥淥ne of the biggest misconceptions about college is the financial aspect, especially from the perspective of families who haven鈥檛 navigated the process before,鈥 she said. 鈥淢any families don鈥檛 fully understand the true cost of attendance or know what questions to ask when comparing schools, which can unintentionally limit the options they consider. It鈥檚 not because they don鈥檛 care, it鈥檚 simply a lack of information and familiarity with the process. For any student, especially a first-generation student, the process can be overwhelming, and that鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so important to create welcoming spaces where students and their families feel comfortable and safe asking questions and getting honest, clear guidance.鈥
Looking ahead, Rooks hopes to become a veterinarian, serving her community by protecting and healing animals. 鈥淚 want to show my family that dreams can be reached with dedication, and I hope to make them proud by turning my passion into a way to help others,鈥 she said.
Supporting first-generation students is not just part of Wesleyan鈥檚 mission. It is woven into the fabric of who the university is. With nearly half its students blazing new trails, every diploma represents resilience, mentorship, and opportunity.
As Tiller puts it: 鈥淭ake that leap! Do it! Be brave! The challenges are worth it, and you will always come out on top.鈥
NCWU Building a Strong Incoming Class
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 has always been a leader in providing quality education to thousands of deserving students and this coming fall will be no exception. A local student, Natalie Messer, and a legacy, Brayden Blue, are two academically gifted students who will join the incoming Class of 2027 this fall as they embark on their educational journey at NCWU.
Natalie Messer, from Rocky Mount, has accepted the President and Founder鈥檚 Scholarships. She plans to major in Biomedical Science: Pre-Veterinary, with intentions to pursue her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. A senior at Southern Nash High School, Natalie has a 4.22 weighted GPA and is actively involved in various organizations, including Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Winter Guard.
When describing her impression of North Carolina Wesleyan, Natalie stated, 鈥溾fter my first visit to campus, I was known personally, which made me feel right at home. I fell in love with the beautiful campus which is small, but grand at the same time.鈥
Natalie attributes the community feel of NCWU to making the impact on her college decision. 鈥淭heir smaller class sizes with more one-on-one instructional time will help me grow as a person, continue to strengthen my foundation and guide me to my childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian.鈥 She will receive $104,000 worth of University awards over the next four years from 麻豆原创.
Coming from Kannapolis, Brayden Blue will be a second-generation Wesleyan student joining the University in the fall. With both parents being alumni of NCWU, Brayden鈥檚 father, Bradley Blue, was inducted into the 麻豆原创 Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. Brayden, graduating from Concord High School, is a talented basketball player and an accomplished student. Choosing to further his academic and athletic career at NCWU, he will follow his father鈥檚 footsteps as a member of the men鈥檚 basketball team.
When discussing his excitement about becoming a future Bishop, Brayden replied that he looked forward to 鈥渃ontinuing to work on my basketball career while obtaining my degree.鈥 Brayden is already accustomed to the family atmosphere that Wesleyan offers stating, 鈥淐oach Thompson is like family and he has followed my basketball career over the years through my parents.鈥
As students, Brayden鈥檚 dad played basketball for Coach John Thompson, while his mom worked as the student manager for the basketball team. Brayden explained his experience when visiting NCWU, 鈥淲hen I came for my first visit, the guys on the team made me feel like I was already part of the family.鈥 Brayden is excited for the many opportunities that NCWU has to offer noting that he is 鈥渓ooking forward to making NCWU my home and seeing what the future holds.鈥 He will receive $60,000 worth of University awards over the next four years.
Natalie and Brayden are only two examples of academically inclined students who have found their personal connection at 麻豆原创 and plan to join this fall. NCWU looks forward to welcoming such outstanding students into the Battling Bishop family!
麻豆原创 麻豆原创
麻豆原创 (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. 麻豆原创 delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal鈥hrough mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical鈥y helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven鈥y helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on , , , and and .
NCWC Recognized for Exemplary Transfer Pathways
(PTK) has named 171 colleges and universities to its 2022 Transfer Honor Roll in recognition of the dynamic pathways they have created to support transfer students.
The Transfer Honor Roll is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer, admission practices, and bachelor鈥檚 degree completion. The Transfer Honor Roll was based on analysis from the National Student Clearinghouse, and on data submitted through the four-year institution鈥檚 profile on PTK Connect, Phi Theta Kappa鈥檚 online tool designed to help students find their best-fit colleges and career pathways.
Spotlighted at the 2022 (ACE) conference, the Transfer Honor Roll recognizes the importance of creating strong transfer pathways that lead to excellence and success among community college transfer students, and this year鈥檚 winners had exceptional outcomes, and several of these included:
鈥 Average percent of transfer in undergraduate population 鈥 60%
鈥 Average bachelor鈥檚 degree completion rate among transfers 鈥 77%
鈥 Average credit transferred toward a degree major and/or plan 鈥 91%
鈥 Average percent of transfer students receiving merit-based financial aid 鈥 84%
鈥淭his award is so important because it is based on what students tell us they need from their transfer experience,鈥 says Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. 鈥淲e are honored to recognize the colleges and universities working exceptionally hard to create stronger pathways to bachelor鈥檚 degree completion for all students.鈥
麻豆原创 Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation鈥檚 colleges. Learn more at .
