First-generation students at Montana State University (MSU) recently presented their creative and academic work during a showcase event in Jabs Hall. The event was part of a series recognizing the university’s first-generation community, held in connection with National First-Generation College Celebration Day.
Chloe Abraham, a Presidential Scholar from Twin Valley, Minnesota, shared her journey to MSU. “I actually thought MSU was the only school that had scholarships of this scale,” said Abraham, who studies psychology and sociology with a focus on criminology. “I only applied here and thought, ‘If I put all my eggs in one basket, I can’t drop it. It has to work out.’ I’m now an Honors College ambassador for high school seniors and tell them not to do that, but I couldn’t be happier with my choice.”
At MSU, about 18% of undergraduates and 12% of graduate students are first-generation college students—those whose parents did not complete a four-year degree. The showcase featured eight students presenting art, research projects, films, and writing.
“First-gen students aren’t just first-gen students,” said Mackenzie Spence, chair of MSU’s First-Generation Committee and program coordinator for TRIO Student Support Services. “They’re also researchers, poets, writers and filmmakers. Highlighting that is important.”
Spence graduated from MSU in 2021 as a first-generation student herself and is now pursuing a doctorate in education. She described her own adjustment to campus life after growing up in Alberton.
Abraham became involved in research through the Honors College and McNair Scholars Program at MSU. In professor Neha John-Henderson’s lab—and working with Blackfeet Community College—she studies whether positive childhood experiences can reduce long-term stress among Blackfeet adults who experienced early trauma.
“I had a lot of negative child experiences growing up, and I just kept hearing about all the negatives… Trying to research ways that we can mitigate those impacts creates more hope,” Abraham said.
Carlos Rivas from Gig Harbor, Washington will soon graduate with a degree in computer engineering before starting work at Applied Materials. At the showcase he discussed his research experience at Johns Hopkins University where he developed an algorithm to help doctors count lesions on MRI scans for multiple sclerosis patients—a process often prone to error or underestimation using existing methods.
“It can get really discouraging to apply for research or job opportunities online when you have no connections at the organization,” Rivas said. “This project is kind of a testament that it’s possible.”
Art was also highlighted at the event by KiraDawn Offenburger from Taft, California. Now studying at Gallatin College MSU while working full time at a day care center, she displayed paintings inspired by natural landscapes and her family’s encouragement toward higher education.
“I grew up being told that the only way I was going to college was if I got a scholarship,” Offenburger said. “That was motivation to work really hard.”
Caleb Jackson from Billings studies history teaching at MSU and will begin student teaching next spring in Lewistown while continuing his writing project showcased at the event—a fictional story titled “The Flightless.”
“Going to MSU has meant a lot to me. It fundamentally changed my life,” Jackson said. “As for pursing my dream of teaching high school students, MSU’s only reinforced it.”
