Campus Connection

A UW-L student is one of four featured in a new Web page highlighting first-generation students from universities throughout the country. Freshman Chong Yang from Onalaska is featured in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) multimedia initiative “First Generation Voices.” See the feature at: AASCU . In a short interview, Yang shared that being the first in her family to go to college means she’s a role model for younger relatives. “I have to try my best in achieving an education because I want to set a good example for the younger children,” says Yang. “I want to show them that although their parents didn’t go to school, they can make it—if only they have the determination.” Yang says she didn’t have an opportunity to attend college far away since she stays at home to help her mother, along with being a full-time student and part-time worker. Despite those challenges, Yang says UW-L helped her by making college life simpler. “I was part of the Academic Success Institute program last summer that allowed me to get a head start on my college credits,” she explains. “Plus, it also allowed me to make connections with other services on campus.” Other students featured are from Coastal Carolina University, Lyndon State College and Southeast Missouri State. AASCU plans to feature new students twice a month on the site. AASCU is the leadership association of 430 public colleges in the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.