{"id":2124,"date":"2022-10-31T16:46:37","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T20:46:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coenet.org\/?p=2124"},"modified":"2022-10-31T17:54:26","modified_gmt":"2022-10-31T21:54:26","slug":"how-trio-turned-a-teen-dad-into-a-first-generation-college-graduate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/blog\/how-trio-turned-a-teen-dad-into-a-first-generation-college-graduate\/","title":{"rendered":"How TRIO Turned a Teen Dad into a First-Generation College Graduate"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<section class=\"page-banner-article alignfull coe-block\">\r\n\t<div class=\"container page-banner-article__inner\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"page-banner-article__content wow animate fade-in-stagger\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"breadcrumbs kicker\"><\/div><!-- .breadcrumbs -->\t\t\t<h1 class=\"page-banner-article__title\">How TRIO Turned a Teen Dad into a First-Generation College Graduate<\/h1>\t\t\t<p class=\" page-banner-article__meta\">\r\n\t\t\t\tOctober 31, 2022\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n\n\n\t<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons coe-block absolute left\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-TRIO-Turned-a-Teen-Dad-into-a-First-Generation-College-Graduate-Matthew-Donovan-Educational-Opportunity-Center-EOC-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-TRIO-Turned-a-Teen-Dad-into-a-First-Generation-College-Graduate-Matthew-Donovan-Educational-Opportunity-Center-EOC-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-TRIO-Turned-a-Teen-Dad-into-a-First-Generation-College-Graduate-Matthew-Donovan-Educational-Opportunity-Center-EOC-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-TRIO-Turned-a-Teen-Dad-into-a-First-Generation-College-Graduate-Matthew-Donovan-Educational-Opportunity-Center-EOC-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-TRIO-Turned-a-Teen-Dad-into-a-First-Generation-College-Graduate-Matthew-Donovan-Educational-Opportunity-Center-EOC-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-TRIO-Turned-a-Teen-Dad-into-a-First-Generation-College-Graduate-Matthew-Donovan-Educational-Opportunity-Center-EOC-1620x1080.jpg 1620w, https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-TRIO-Turned-a-Teen-Dad-into-a-First-Generation-College-Graduate-Matthew-Donovan-Educational-Opportunity-Center-EOC-250x167.jpg 250w, https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/How-TRIO-Turned-a-Teen-Dad-into-a-First-Generation-College-Graduate-Matthew-Donovan-Educational-Opportunity-Center-EOC.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><strong>Matthew Donovan<\/strong> is the current director of the Commonwealth <strong>Educational Opportunity Center<\/strong> <strong>(EOC)<\/strong> at <strong>Morehead State University<\/strong>. Matthew is a alumnus of <strong>EOC <\/strong>programs at <strong>Morehead State University.<\/strong> Matthew received his GED, bachelor&#8217;s degree in Geographic Technology, and master&#8217;s degree in Homeland Security from <strong>Morehead State University<\/strong>, all with distinction. He is currently working on a doctorate in Adult and Higher Education.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The Impact of TRIO on My Life<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>TRIO to has been a blessing in my life. I was a 17-year-old father to a beautiful little girl, and I had dropped out of high school. I was unsure what my next step was, so I worked to provide for my family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then I met this wonderful woman who worked for the <strong>Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)<\/strong> at <strong>Morehead State University<\/strong>, which helped me get my GED. The program paid for my GED, which was terrific because I could not afford the $250. In 2001, this woman helped me complete my financial aid and college admissions application to <strong>Morehead State<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She helped me reach the goals I needed to accomplish and finish my bachelor&#8217;s degree. She helped me along a path that I, then an adult learner with a family, probably never could have followed on my own. Without <strong>EOC<\/strong>, I would not have been able to do to complete my college journey. Now I direct the <strong>EOC <\/strong>program at <strong>Morehead State University<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>When we help the struggling mother and support her as she gets her degree, we are helping her help herself. Once she gets that bachelor&#8217;s degree, her kids are no longer first-generation, and she stops the low-income, first-generation gap in her family. <strong>EOCs<\/strong> make that change, and we can help many adults arrive at a new life.<\/p><cite>Matthew Donovan<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>My advice to other adult learners would be to remember that it\u2019s the journey that is important. Finish that degree, get everything you can, and be the best person you can be. The thing I&#8217;ve learned, and it&#8217;s still a struggle for me at times, is that I suffer severely from impostor syndrome. I never truly felt like I belong, even after earning my bachelor&#8217;s and master&#8217;s degrees with honors and working towards my doctorate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many first-generation college students, imposter syndrome is something we must battle. Through our substance abuse counseling or inmate services, I remind our <strong>EOC<\/strong> adults that we can be the greatness we want to see as first-generation college students and college graduates. Ironically, these conversations help me circumvent my impostor syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>How I Give Back to the TRIO Community<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest thing for TRIO alumni to remember is that since you succeeded on this journey, you ought to make it easier for others to follow the same journey successfully. Be proactive and find those first-generation and low-income students in your community and your state and introduce them to TRIO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The great thing about <strong>Educational Opportunity Centers<\/strong> is that we have an extensive regional reach. I have two grants, and we serve 2,505 adults in my service region of 36 counties. <strong>EOC <\/strong>programs make a multi-generational change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we help the struggling mother and support her as she gets her degree, we are helping her help herself. Once she gets that bachelor&#8217;s degree, her kids are no longer first-generation, and she stops the low-income, first-generation gap in her family. <strong>EOCs<\/strong> make that change, and we can help many adults arrive at a new life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being from Appalachia, where we&#8217;re historically poor and historically impoverished, making a difference like this is one of the best things I feel I can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To complement your First-Generation College Celebration Day plans, on<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fattendee.gotowebinar.com%2Fregister%2F2533312600009760784&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmedonovan%40moreheadstate.edu%7C920232354424487e294008dab797383f%7C6135a844853b4b8c9020ae7f7ccf6c22%7C0%7C0%7C638024157383540773%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=B3xT5ECDZtZEuOMadijy7SFIh6vymjPxNcrG1kkNA8I%3D&amp;reserved=0\"><em>&nbsp;Tuesday, November 1 at 4:00 p.m. ET<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fattendee.gotowebinar.com%2Fregister%2F2325661033011544076&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmedonovan%40moreheadstate.edu%7C920232354424487e294008dab797383f%7C6135a844853b4b8c9020ae7f7ccf6c22%7C0%7C0%7C638024157383540773%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=k2cKpewnQcKTHYXzAYNz54zFeqMNB4T99ad4TTw2zw4%3D&amp;reserved=0\"><em>Wednesday, November 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET<\/em><\/a><em>, watch Matthew Donovan and three other panelists discuss how to create an environment conducive to first-generation adult learners.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\t<section class=\"slider-articles alignfull coe-block\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"slider-articles__intro container\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"slider-articles__heading\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"slider-articles__title\">More News &#038; Impact<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"slider-nav__arrows\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"slick-arrow prev\" aria-label=\"Previous article\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"18\" height=\"31\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 31\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  d=\"M0.787494 15.2904L15.6648 0.413086L17.7373 2.48555L4.89734 15.3255L17.7369 28.1651L15.6644 30.2375L0.787109 15.3602L0.822196 15.3251L0.787494 15.2904Z\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"white\"\/>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"slick-arrow next\" aria-label=\"Next article\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"18\" height=\"31\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 31\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  d=\"M17.2848 15.2904L2.40744 0.413086L0.33498 2.48555L13.1749 15.3255L0.335363 28.1651L2.40783 30.2376L17.2852 15.3602L17.2501 15.3251L17.2848 15.2904Z\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"white\"\/>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t<ul class=\"slider-articles__slides list-unstyled init\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-card post-card--vertical with-image \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-card__image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image to-square bg-img\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t style=\"background-image: url(' https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/002.jpg ')\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/press-releases\/coe-hosts-education-secretary-cardona-to-facilitate-book-club-discussion-with-trio-students-nationwide\/\" class=\"link-reset link-overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n                                    <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Click to view the page: COE Hosts Education Secretary Cardona to Facilitate 2021 Book Club Discussion with TRIO Students Nationwide<\/span>\r\n                                <\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"kicker wow\">Press Releases<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"post-card__title h3-medium wow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/press-releases\/coe-hosts-education-secretary-cardona-to-facilitate-book-club-discussion-with-trio-students-nationwide\/\" target=\"_self\">COE Hosts Education Secretary Cardona to Facilitate 2021 Book Club Discussion with TRIO Students Nationwide<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"post-card__meta wow\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">July 28, 2021<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-card post-card--vertical with-image \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-card__image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image to-square bg-img\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t style=\"background-image: url(' https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Rectangle-1949.jpg ')\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/press-releases\/council-for-opportunity-in-education-partners-with-nucleus-to-host-pitch\/\" class=\"link-reset link-overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n                                    <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Click to view the page: Council for Opportunity in Education Partners with Nucleus to Host Pitch Competition for Student Entrepreneurs<\/span>\r\n                                <\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"kicker wow\">Press Releases<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"post-card__title h3-medium wow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/press-releases\/council-for-opportunity-in-education-partners-with-nucleus-to-host-pitch\/\" target=\"_self\">Council for Opportunity in Education Partners with Nucleus to Host Pitch Competition for Student Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"post-card__meta wow\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">April 24, 2022<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-card post-card--vertical with-image \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-card__image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image to-square bg-img\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t style=\"background-image: url(' https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/CAPITOL-HILL-TRIO-FUNDING-LETTER-500x500.jpg ')\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/press-releases\/record-number-of-bipartisan-representatives-call-to-prioritize-funding-for-federal-trio-programs\/\" class=\"link-reset link-overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n                                    <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Click to view the page: Record Number of Bipartisan Representatives Call to Prioritize Funding for Federal TRIO Programs<\/span>\r\n                                <\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"kicker wow\">Press Releases<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"post-card__title h3-medium wow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/press-releases\/record-number-of-bipartisan-representatives-call-to-prioritize-funding-for-federal-trio-programs\/\" target=\"_self\">Record Number of Bipartisan Representatives Call to Prioritize Funding for Federal TRIO Programs<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"post-card__meta wow\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">April 27, 2022<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-card post-card--vertical with-image \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-card__image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image to-square bg-img\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t style=\"background-image: url(' https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Jurassic-Rule-Your-Future-STEAM-Initiative-500x500.png ')\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/press-releases\/comcast-nbcuniversal-and-the-council-for-opportunity-in-education-launch-1-5-million-jurassic-world-rule-your-future-steam-initiative\/\" class=\"link-reset link-overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n                                    <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Click to view the page: The Council for Opportunity in Education and Comcast NBCUniversal Launch $1.5 Million \u201cJurassic World Rule Your Future STEAM Initiative\u201d<\/span>\r\n                                <\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"kicker wow\">Press Releases<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"post-card__title h3-medium wow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/press-releases\/comcast-nbcuniversal-and-the-council-for-opportunity-in-education-launch-1-5-million-jurassic-world-rule-your-future-steam-initiative\/\" target=\"_self\">The Council for Opportunity in Education and Comcast NBCUniversal Launch $1.5 Million \u201cJurassic World Rule Your Future STEAM Initiative\u201d<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"post-card__meta wow\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">June 4, 2022<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-card post-card--vertical with-image \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-card__image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image to-square bg-img\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t style=\"background-image: url(' https:\/\/coenet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Photo-President-Biden-Official-500x500.jpg ')\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/press-releases\/the-council-for-opportunity-in-education-applauds-the-biden-administrations-plan-to-forgive-up-to-20000-of-federal-student-loan-debt\/\" class=\"link-reset link-overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n                                    <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Click to view the page: The Council for Opportunity in Education Applauds the Biden Administration\u2019s Plan to Forgive Up to $20,000 of Federal Student Loan Debt<\/span>\r\n                                <\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"kicker wow\">Press Releases<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"post-card__title h3-medium wow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/coenet.org\/news-impact\/press-releases\/the-council-for-opportunity-in-education-applauds-the-biden-administrations-plan-to-forgive-up-to-20000-of-federal-student-loan-debt\/\" target=\"_self\">The Council for Opportunity in Education Applauds the Biden Administration\u2019s Plan to Forgive Up to $20,000 of Federal Student Loan Debt<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"post-card__meta wow\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">August 26, 2022<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t<\/section>\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Without EOC, I would not have been able to do to complete my college journey. Now I direct the EOC program at Morehead State University.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":[],"featured_media":2125,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70],"tags":[138,141,139,208,218],"trio_programs":[11],"audience":[14],"focus_areas":[48],"class_list":["post-2124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-adult-learners","tag-alumni","tag-eoc","tag-first-generation-college-celebration-day","tag-morehead-state-university","trio_programs-education-opportunity-centers","audience-trio-alumni","focus_areas-trio-programs"],"acf":[],"cp_meta_data":{"_edit_lock":["1684856004:8"],"_encloseme":["1"],"_thumbnail_id":["2125"],"_edit_last":["8"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["70"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_trio_programs":["11"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_audience":["14"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_focus_areas":["48"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["Without EOC, I would not have been able to do to complete my college journey. 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