First Day for First-Gen Student

When Fall classes begin at UT-Chattanooga on August 19th, incoming freshmen may be anxious about many things – a new environment, coursework, campus life, etc. First-generation college student Jessica Velasquez may have those same freshman jitters; however, she won’t be worried about some of her college expenses. Jessica, a 2024 graduate of The Howard School, was awarded the PEF Camp College Scholarship in recognition of the program that provides vital resources and mentorship in college planning and preparation to Hamilton County students. Rising juniors, rising seniors, and their families engage with our team and dozens of national partners including admissions officers, college and career counselors, and financial aid experts to ensure they are fully prepared to successfully navigate the complexities of the college application process.

Aspiring Leader

Velasquez graduated in May 2024 from The Howard School and will major in Business and Entrepreneurship. She describes herself as resilient, competitive, and outgoing. She says those three words describe leaders, and as the oldest daughter, she’s learned to be a leader. I selected this major because I hope to own a business in the future,” Velasquez said. “By owning a business, I would be able to help support my parents and my siblings. My parents came to this country with nothing yet gave me everything. Now that I am a PEF Camp College Scholarship recipient, I will be able to further my education and be more involved in my community.”

She adds that she wants to help grow support for the Latinx community and assist other first-generation college students. Ms. Velasquez is a 2023 alumna of PEF’s Camp College – a robust summer retreat that has helped more than 1,200 students be the first in their family to go to college. The $1,000 scholarship will be used to help Jessica purchase books and educational materials for her undergraduate program at UTC.