Manship First-Generation Students Forge Their Own Paths

Today is National First-Generation College Celebration Day, Nov. 8, and the Manship School of Mass Communication is spotlighting three first-generation students who are making their mark on the Manship community. From student media and research to public service, these students are forging their own paths and preparing for careers beyond LSU.

Rami Burks is a third-year print journalism student who dreams of attending law school and eventually working with legal agreements and player contracts in the world of name, image and likeness (NIL). Burks grew up with a lifelong love of sports. Whether playing softball or watching games on television, she knew her future would involve athletics.

When it came time to apply to college, Burks charted her own path and ultimately decided LSU was where she belonged. Her hard work throughout high school paid off when she was invited to apply to the LSU Honors College and received a scholarship awarded to only 1% of the freshman class following a rigorous application and interview process. Today, Burks balances several communications roles, including deputy sports editor at The Reveille, undergraduate research assistant under Dr. Joshua Jackson, MCRC student assistant and sports reporting intern. For Burks, embracing new opportunities and building momentum have been central to navigating her college experience as a first-generation student.

“I feel like my college experience is completely different because I have been able to get involved on campus by working in student media,” Burks said. “I could have a significantly easier time in school by just doing classes and going home, but by being able to take advantage of the different aspects of my scholarship I’ve been able to do all of this.”

After watching Legally Blonde in middle school, Nicole Francis knew she wanted to attend law school. A second-year political communication student from Texas, Francis hopes to become a family law attorney after graduating from Manship. One of the biggest challenges Francis has faced as a first-generation student has been learning to advocate for herself and proactively seek assistance. However, finding her footing and taking advantage of the resources available at Manship and LSU have helped her transition from high school to college.

“I love Manship. It’s a really small community, and because it's small it’s really easy to get to know everybody,” Francis said. The Manship community has helped Francis build the confidence to pursue her goals and continue forging her own path.

Angel Hollomon is a senior public relations student from Macon, Georgia, who aspires to serve as a public affairs officer in the Marine Corps. She hopes to apply the communication skills she has developed at Manship to a career in military public affairs. When Hollomon toured LSU in high school, she knew she had found her future home.

“I had chills all over my body and it was something telling me that this was the right place for me,” Hollomon said.

Arriving on a campus as large as LSU's can be intimidating, but Hollomon embraced the experience as an opportunity to discover her interests and get involved. Her college search initially focused on schools offering ROTC programs, and once she arrived at LSU, she began exploring opportunities across campus. One of the most important resources throughout Hollomon's college experience has been the Student Support Services program. The program provides academic counseling, tutoring, financial literacy education, career development and personalized guidance to help students succeed.

Despite their different career aspirations and experiences, all three students share a common piece of advice: Take advantage of the opportunities available at Manship and LSU. Whether through student organizations, employment opportunities or research, students have numerous ways to get involved in their fields and the campus community.

“Campus is what you make of it,” Burks said. “I think that if I wasn’t so willing to get involved. I wouldn’t have enjoyed being at LSU as much as I have.”