Indiana University has been commemorating first-generation students in the lead-up to National First-Generation College Celebration Day on Nov. 8. Approximately one-third of the students at IU’s regional campuses — IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend and IU Southeast — are the first in their families to attain a college degree, and their accomplishments create transformative pathways to success for generations to come.

“Last year, our regional campus chancellors published personal reflections about their students who are ‘firsts,’ and the great regional campuses they call home,” said Ken Iwama, Indiana University’s vice president for regional campuses and online education. “This year, we are featuring first-generation alumni whose inspirational journeys reflect IU’s enduring mission in supporting students who live, learn and stay in Hoosier communities to support the quality of life and growth of the state.”

Here are their stories.

IU East

Ashley Green.Ashley Green is chief deputy prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and a graduate of IU East, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. She went on to graduate magna cum laude from Valparaiso University School of Law.

Mentorship at IU East played a pivotal role in her success. One adjunct faculty member she credited was Judge Greg Horn, who taught criminal justice courses.

“I remember telling him I was thinking of being a paralegal, and he immediately said, ‘No! You need to be a lawyer. Don’t settle for less.’ Judge Horn encouraged me to go to law school and find a way to make it work.”

IU Kokomo

Brayton Mendenhall, center, with Ben Davis High School students at graduation.

Brayton Mendenhall is assistant principal of instruction and student life at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. He graduated from IU Kokomo with a bachelor’s degree in education and completed a Master of Education from the IU School of Education in Indianapolis.

Mendenhall credits advisor Catherine Barnes for helping him navigate college.

“My parents didn’t know how to support me,” he said. “They were proud of me, but in terms of applying for financial aid, and applying for scholarships or registering for classes, they didn’t know about that. Catherine Barnes had a huge impact, helping me learn to register for classes, how to fill out financial aid paperwork. She empowered me to learn how to do it.”

IU Northwest

Darrius Davis.Darrius Davis is a commercial lending relationship manager at Everwise Credit Union. He graduated from IU Northwest with a business administration degree.

Davis, an Indianapolis native, attended two junior colleges — one in Kansas and one in Michigan — before returning to Indiana. His next step landed him at IU Northwest, where he was a student-athlete on the basketball team, served on student government and helped launch the RedHawk Pantry.

“For any first-generation student, I would say getting involved is key,” Davis said. “We’re more susceptible to failure if you don’t get involved because you need people checking in on you and really taking an interest in your life, because your family might not know what it takes to go to college.”

IU South Bend

Maggie Fink.Maggie Fink is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at IU South Bend and co-author of a new book, “The Color of North: The Molecular Language of Proteins and the Future of Life.”

Fink earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from IU South Bend and a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Notre Dame. Her journey at IU South Bend began when her two children were old enough to be in kindergarten and preschool.

She said her academic advisor, Gretchen Anderson, was a major influence.

“Like a lot of the professors here at IU South Bend, Gretchen was good at helping students who have a wide variety of needs. … There’s a lot of us here who have children we’re taking care of, or sick parents, or working a lot of jobs,” Fink said. “So Gretchen took me under her wing and helped me figure out how to do college while still being a parent.”

IU Southeast

Charlotte Ipsan.Charlotte Ipsan is senior vice president and chief hospital officer at Norton Healthcare, where she was instrumental in creating the region’s first women’s and children’s hospital.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from IU Southeast while juggling two jobs, marriage and motherhood, and went on to earn a Master of Science in nursing from the University of Louisville and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Rush University in Chicago.

When reflecting on her own journey, Ipsan shared this advice for others: “You can do anything, and you can’t let your current situation determine your future situation.”

Events

The First-Generation College Celebration is already underway at Indiana University campuses, with events throughout the week honoring students and connecting them to resources.

IU Northwest hosted events Nov. 5, including a social gathering with food, games and photos; a networking mixer; and a student panel.

The IU South Bend community can enjoy games, giveaways and camaraderie at the campus’s First-Generation Celebration from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov 6.

IU Kokomo will host a First-Gen Celebration bingo event at 2 p.m. Nov 6.

IU Southeast’s First-Generation Celebration event at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 10 will feature speed networking, career discussions and light refreshments.

The slate of events at IU Bloomington includes a legacy dinner and a discussion on using artificial intelligence to manage stress.

For the first time, IU Indianapolis and the NCAA teamed up to expand the campus’s annual First-Generation Celebration to three events. NCAA Fan Jam, a traveling exhibition that is building excitement for the 2026 men’s basketball Final Four in Indianapolis, was part of an outdoor party Nov. 4. “Game Changers: First-Gen Journeys in Sports and Leadership” will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 6 on campus.