My First-Gen Story & College Struggle

I wasn’t supposed to be here — not in a classroom, not on a stage, and definitely not on national television.

I’m a first-generation college student who grew up without a blueprint. When people asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” — I never had an answer. Not because I didn’t care... but because I didn’t know what was even possible.

I saw other communities thrive — with connections, confidence, and clear paths forward — while I was just trying to survive. I was doing my best to figure out life, but every step felt uncertain. I was labeled a high-risk student and carried the weight of expectations I didn’t know how to meet. Eventually, I dropped out of college. I felt lost, ashamed, and invisible.

And to make it worse… I was deeply insecure about my own voice. I stuttered. I forgot my words. I feared I had nothing valuable to say. For someone who now speaks for a living — that fear almost silenced my future.

But I didn’t give up.

I rebuilt my confidence one choice at a time. I returned to school, earned my degree, and went on to complete my master’s. I pushed through the doubt, got the support I needed, and stepped fully into my purpose.

Now, I’m a professor at Florida International University, a four-time published author, and the host of a television show on WSFL-TV. I’ve traveled the world to speak — including Poland, where I taught undergraduate and graduate students about communication, public speaking, and the power of their voice.

When I speak to students... I’m not reaching down. I’m reaching across — to who I used to be. And I’m reminding them they can rise too.