Was college not a “given” in your family, but a real financial stretch? Were you or your siblings the first in your family to attend college? Or do you have an interest in research and education on issues of access? If the answer is yes to any of those questions, we would like to hear from you at kraus.47@osu.edu. The Economic Access Initiative wants to dispel the myth that university faculty, staff, and students necessarily come from generations of college graduates, and show that they also have encountered challenges along the route to college. Your stories and successes will be invaluable to recruitment efforts among potential first-generation students, not just here at OSU, but at institutions of higher learning throughout Ohio. Indeed, your experience could be the deciding factor for those who might otherwise not believe that college could be a possibility. Please share your story with us! Who helped you along the way? How did you overcome challenges and barriers? What advice do you have for students from a similar background?

The creation of the Economic Access Initiative, sponsored by Academic Affairs, further marks the University’s on-going commitment to ensuring all qualified students, regardless of income, can make the dream of college a reality. Tally Hart, formerly the director of student Financial Aid and well-reputed expert on access issues, is joined by Laura Kraus, former associate director for First Year Experience Programs, to step up Ohio State’s efforts to educate students and their families about the resources available for low-income students who want to go to college or prepare for the workforce. The initiative also will focus on developing programs to encourage economically needy college juniors to think about continuing their studies in graduate and professional school. Please email Tally Hart and Laura Kraus at kraus.47@osu.edu with your story, thoughts and opinions. We are looking forward to hearing from you!