Emma Fridley, a freshman accounting major from Grafton, West Virginia, is a first-generation college student here at the Chambers College.

With a desire to go to college, she worked hard in high school to make sure her college tuition was covered completely by scholarships. 

“By working really hard in high school, my tuition is completely covered through scholarships and I'm so proud of that. I feel like that is what allowed me to get here,” said Fridley. 

Fridley admits that her parents introduced her to a love for learning at a young age. 

“My parents taught me that education is important and it got me to where I am today. I honestly find learning fun. I enjoy it. I enjoy going to class and I enjoy doing my homework,” she said. 

With already accomplishing one of her goals – to have college completely paid for – Fridley dreams of becoming a forensic accountant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 

“People ask me all the time why I want to do that,” she said. “I heard about it in middle school and I haven’t changed my mind since.” 

With the support of on-campus programs, such as Trio Student Support Services, the Center for Career Development (CCD), and being a student in the Honors College, Fridley is one step closer to achieving every bit of success. 

Trio Student Support Services – a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education – provides free one‐on‐one support services to create successful and confident students. Not only does this program help Fridley, but it also helps other first-generation students get the support they need to remain in college through graduation. 

On the other hand, the Center for Career Development within the Chambers College guides students in finding career opportunities that fit their skills and interests through resume reviews, mock interviews, career fairs, and internship and full-time job opportunities.

“The resume review is amazing,” said Fridley. “I would have no idea what to put on a resume and what it should look like. All of the student centers that they have here are so helpful and I have used a lot of them already.” 

Being a first-generation student is not always easy, but Fridley is not giving up. 

One piece of advice she gave was to, “just go for it and don't be scared. The biggest thing that will help you is doing well in high school and being able to get those scholarships from merit.”

We’re proud of Fridley, and all of our first-generation business students, for their hard work and dedication. 

We invite all first-generation students, faculty and staff to join us the week of November 7 for First-Gen College Celebration Week. 

Stop by our table in the atrium on Thursday, November 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to meet other first-gen students.

SH 11/07/22 

CONTACT: Shelby Hudnall 
Marketing Strategist
WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, Strategic Communications 
Stoompa1@mail.wvu.edu