Dori Nance ’18  

Education was always a top priority in Dori Nance’s family. Although her parents had planned to attend college, they were not able to do so and as a first-generation student, she says there were a lot of times that she realized that she didn’t know what she didn’t know. Her advice is to build relationships with your professors as they are a wealth of knowledge about all the things you may not know to ask and many of them may be first-generation students themselves.

Q&A with Dori

Where do you reside?  

Tucson, Ariz.

Class Year: 

2018 

Major and any minors, if applicable: 

I majored in Psychology, with a minor in ASL/Deaf Studies.   

Current occupation: 

I am currently a special education teacher working with students in 1st through 3rd grades.

What made you choose to attend McDaniel? 

I was initially drawn to McDaniel for the Deaf Education program. I also loved the fact that McDaniel had small class sizes where I wouldn’t be able to fade into the background. I knew that the small community would see me, and I loved that.

What does it mean to you to be the first in your family to attend college? 

Education was always a top priority in my family. I’m sure that had a lot to do with the fact that my parents didn’t have the chance that I had to go to school. My parents had actually planned on going to college but weren’t able to do so.

Network, network, network. The more people you know, the more you’ll understand about the world around you, and the more opportunities you’ll come across. Your network can change everything.

What memories do you have of being a first-generation student?  

There were a lot of times that I realized I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Everyone would always tell me to ask questions, but I wasn’t even sure what questions I was supposed to be asking. Even while I was still in high school and going through the process of applying to schools. I knew I wanted to go to McDaniel, so I only applied to two schools, but I had peers that were applying to eight colleges! I found myself asking teachers if I was supposed to be applying to that many. I constantly asked myself “am I missing something?” I didn’t even know what a first-generation student was until I was already attending McDaniel. There was a table set up outside of the dining hall giving resources and answering questions for first generation students. It was the first time I ever heard the term, and I finally felt like my struggle in understanding the college process wasn’t something I was doing wrong. It was simple—I was a first-generation student, and there were resources for that.  

What challenged you and/or surprised you? 

I was never quite sure when I was supposed to be doing things. For example, I knew that internships were a good idea, but I didn’t know when I was supposed to get one, or what I was supposed to do once I had one. A majority of the time I had a lot of freedom within my internships, and I did not know what to do with that. Looking back, I realized I could have made a lot more those opportunities than I did.

Who supported you throughout your journey on the Hill and how did their support help you climb higher? 

The Admissions office was my biggest support system both while I was applying and throughout my undergraduate experience. I started working there my freshman year, and the whole office became my family away from home. They guided me through every question I had, whether it was about internships, Jan Term, or finding balance between school and personal life.

How has McDaniel helped you on your current career path?  

The classes I got to take were absolutely foundational to my ability to do my job today. Many concepts that my peers have to be trained on I already understand because of the coursework I completed while at McDaniel. As time goes on, I find myself more and more grateful for the liberal arts credits that I took, and wish I had the opportunity to take more!

What advice do you have for fellow first-gen students?  

Learn everything you possibly can! Take advantage of the liberal arts credits. College is one of the few times you have such in-depth resources at your fingertips with someone to guide you through all the information.

Build relationships with your professors! They are a wealth of knowledge about all the things you may not know to ask as a first-generation student. Many of them may be first-generation students themselves!

If you have the opportunity, travel. Travel as much as you can. Save up and take Jan Term courses. You will be so glad you did.

Network, network, network. The more people you know, the more you’ll understand about the world around you, and the more opportunities you’ll come across. Your network can change everything.

Anything else you’d like to add? 

Do everything you can to find balance between work and fun. Your studies are the reason you’re in school, but they won’t build your memories. Surround yourself with good people, and always make time for them. Those are the pieces you take with you long after you’ve graduated.