Meet the First Gen Summit
Planning Committee

First Gen Summit Co-Coordinator Adj Marshall
MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Administrator

Adj was the first person in her family to attend and graduate from college, earning her B.A. while supporting her brothers’ pursuits of their associate degrees. Her experience growing up as a member of a chronically poor, and often homeless, single-parent family has contributed immensely to her work as a JEDI trainer and advocate for educational socioeconomic justice. Adj founded the First Gen Summit in 2012 and holds an M.A. from Brown University in Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage.

First Gen Summit Co-Coordinator Jamie Mejia-Delgado
University of South Carolina Upstate Undergraduate

My name is Jamie Mejia-Delgado, I am a junior at USC Upstate, and I study Political Science. I am the first in my family to attend college and being a first-generation college student has been the greatest obstacle so far. I do not intend to let it hinder my education and plan to attend law school after receiving my B.A. in Political Science. 

First Gen Summit Special Projects Lead Elizabeth Rodericks
Bridgewater State Graduate Student

Elizabeth grew up in a working-class family and is a first-generation Psychology B.S. senior at Bridgewater State University. Her own struggle to understand college resources spurred her to support other students' experiences through tutoring and peer advising, as well as working on the executive board of first-gen and women's leadership-focused student organizations. She aims to go into Student Affairs to continue providing information and wisdom to underrepresented students.

First Gen Summit Workshop Lead Diana Tiburcio
Amherst College Undergraduate

Afro-Dominican, queer, non-binary, and lactose intolerant. An abolitionist, researcher, and lover of Rubik’s cubes. I spend most of my time at Amherst College exploring the woods and bird sanctuary. 10/10 chance that I’ll laugh at my own joke even if no one else does. 

First Gen Summit Fundraising Lead Aston Tan
Boston University Undergraduate - Studying abroad in France at X University 

I am a junior studying Business Administration at Boston University with concentrations in Strategy and Management Information Systems. Aspiring consultant and entrepreneur. Currently studying abroad in Paris, broadening my horizons. The support I received from the first-gen community has inspired me to give back to fellow first-gen students. Otherwise, I enjoy music production and graphic design.

First Gen Summit Tech Lead Valerija Ilievska
Babson University Undergraduate

I am an international student currently pursuing a business degree with a focus on IT and Politics. I love exploring and learning about new things and I find it very hard to maintain my focus on one thing only. However, trying to create a better world for everyone is probably one of my biggest passions.  

First Gen Summit Marketing Lead Tammy Dong
Boston University Undergraduate

I'm a sophomore studying International Relations at Boston University. My dream is to travel to different places and see the bigger world with my own eyes. I love art and expressing myself through creative ways.

First Gen Summit Marketing Member Bryan Lopez-MontoyaUniversity of South Carolina - Upstate, Undergraduate

I am a first-generation student at USC Upstate where I am pursuing a double major in Biology and Spanish and minoring in Spanish Translation and Interpreting. My goal is to help break the Spanish to English language barrier in healthcare that prevents Latino community from receiving the adequate healthcare they need. In my spare time, I love working out, mentoring students, running obstacle course races, and playing soccer.

First Gen Technology Member Cassondra Lyman              University of South Florida, Ph.D.

I am a first-year student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of South Florida. A Goldwater and McNair Scholar, I work closely with Dr. Jon Rottenberg to investigate the social-cognitive processes involved in the onset and maintenance of depressive disorders. In my free time, I enjoy reading old sci-fi novels and philosophy and going on weekend kayak trips.     

First Gen Summit Technology Member Michelle Cheng     Master's in Medical Science at Boston University

I am a first-gen college graduate currently in the Master's in Medical Science program at Boston University. I hope to connect with other first-gen students and contribute to this community. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, and watching movies.

First Gen Summit Technology Team Member Kym Silvasy-Neale

Gen X career changer who decided to live her values was more important than climbing a corporate ladder. Currently, I’m in grief work, providing safe spaces for people who lost their person to substance abuse disorder. The work teaches me that grief is love. In other news--Find me at a coffee shop, sipping an oat milk latte, chatting with the baristas about their music selections.

First Gen Summit Workshop Committee Member Yvonne Wingard

I have a strong passion for equity and sustainability among marginalized populations, with interests in public health and environmental health. I love nature, music, animals, and art. I find myself constantly wanting to learn so much and try so many things, while at the same time never having the time or commitment to stick to one thing!

First Gen Summit Marketing Team Member Ashanti Adams

I am a sophomore at Amherst College majoring in sociology and education studies. In the future, I hope to work in college administration, education policy, or community-based learning. In my free time, I love to crochet, paint, and watch shows like Bob's Burgers and Adventure Time.