March 12, 2020 — Abel Barraza hasn’t shied away from challenges during his time at Wichita State University. The first-generation college student from Dodge City not only undertook a rigorous curriculum that included fluid mechanics and calculus, but he also served as president of his fraternity during his demanding senior year.
Dec. 4, 2019 -- Javier Martinez and Jonathan Lozano hadn’t even intended to earn Wichita State’s inaugural Parkinson Scholarship in 2018, but they did. Both first-generation college students share their stories of adversity and triumph and offer words of encouragement for future first-gen college hopefuls.