Purdue Education POdcasts

The podcast series FirstGenMe began in 2022 with interviews of nine College of Education faculty and staff who were first generation college students, discussing a variety of topics of interest to current students. In 2023, the series continues with interviews of Education students who are first generation college students.

Season 2

Nick Szalay

Episode 2

Nick Szalay, Sophomore, Social Studies Education

Sophomore Nick Szalay discusses his First Generation College Student journey, including marrying his high school sweetheart, his military service, working in a factory to put his wife through school, and how he and his wife navigated his return to school as an older student. It’s a story of his truly #PersistentPursuit to study Education at Purdue.

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: Nick Szalay, Sophomore, Social Studies Education

Angela Atwell

Episode 2

Angela Atwell, Senior, Elementary Education

Graduating senior (Fall 2023) Angela Atwell discusses her First Generation College Student journey, including her personal journey as an older, returning student, and her inspiration, challenges, resources, motivation and advice.

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: Angela Atwell, Senior, Elementary Education, Non-Traditional Student

Season 1

Rose Mason

Episode 9

Rose Mason, Associate Professor of Special Education, Department of Educational Studies

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: Rose Mason, Associate Professor of Special Education, Department of Educational Studies

Rachel Swank

Episode 8

Rachel Swank, Licensing Advisor, Office of Teacher Education and Licensure

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: Rachel Swank, Licensing Advisor, Office of Teacher Education and Licensure

Benjamin Mason

Episode 7

Benjamin Mason, Assistant Professor of Special Education, Department of Educational Studies

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: Benjamin Mason, Assistant Professor of Special Education, Department of Educational Studies

David Stanley

Episode 6

David Stanley, Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology, Department of Educational Studies

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: David Stanley, Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology, Department of Educational Studies

Kathy Obenchain

Episode 5

Kathryn Obenchain, Associate Dean for Learning, Engagement, and Global Initiatives

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: Kathryn Obenchain, Associate Dean for Learning, Engagement, and Global Initiatives

Ryan Farrell

Episode 4

Ryan Farrell, Teacher Education Recruiter

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: Ryan Farrell, Teacher Education Recruiter

Floyd Craig

Episode 3

Floyd Craig, Director of the Office of Diversity Initiatives

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: Floyd Craig, Director of the Office of Diversity Initiatives

Wanju Huang

Episode 2

Wanju Huang, Learning Design and Technology, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: Wanju Huang, Learning Design and Technology, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Nancy Marchand Martella

Episode 1

Nancy Marchand-Martella, Suzi and Dale Gallagher Dean of Education

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller, Director of Advising and Retention and host of the FirstGenMe podcasts.

Guest: Nancy Marchand-Martella, Suzi and Dale Gallagher Dean of Education

About the Host

Jackie Thomas Miller

Dr. Jackie Thomas-Miller

As a first generation college graduate, Dr. Jackie has lived the experiences and hope that the inspiring stories of others will provide assurance in knowing “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” It is her hope that the College of Education’s First Gen Me Podcasts will provide First Generation College Students at Purdue with the confidence and skillset needed to navigate the high and lows of being the first in their family to obtain a four-year college degree.