2024 Service Excellence Award Nominees

On behalf of the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing and its significant population of first-generation students, please accept this letter of nomination for Riley Finch, Student Success Manager, for the 2024 First-Generation Service Excellence Award. As a first-generation student himself, Riley crafted an academic journey that launched his professional academic advising career. With an undergraduate degree in psychology and a masters in experimental cognitive psychology, Riley’s work to break down barriers and model excellence in first-generation leadership is grounded in research, advocacy, action, allyship, and engagement. Riley has over 10 professional presentations related to the research theory and practice of professional academic advising, including "Social identity and social/academic self-efficacy among first-generation (versus non-first generation) college students" and "Scaffolding the first-generation freshman: A comprehensive advising campaign." Riley was selected to present his work Promoting Parallel Planning to Pre-Nursing Students at the 2024 Region 8 NACADA conference in Idaho. This work emphasizes the value of normalizing the use of parallel planning and the significance of supportive campus connections for students seeking a competitive application to an upper-level nursing program. Riley is highly regarded for his advising, retention efforts, and positive professional engagement with all aspects of the university community. As a US Studies 101 instructor, Riley witnesses firsthand the variety of challenges experienced by first generation students which in turn fuels his advocacy and effort. Students find his section engaging and supportive as reflected in his overall student ratings. As a colleague, Riley has become a valued and essential member of the Academic Programs team in the College of Nursing. Thank you for your consideration of this nomination of Riley’s excellent service to first-generation students.

Dr. Chelsey Jo Wilson arrived at MSU from the Flathead Valley in 2008 as a first-generation college student with no financial backing from her family. In her words, she was ‘set up to fail’. Despite the odds, Chelsey’s grit and resourcefulness helped her find a sense of belonging at MSU. She discovered a deep capacity within herself to make the college journey possible – by finding scholarships, building relationships, and dedicating herself to learning. A proud three-time graduate of Montana State University, Chelsey’s educational achievements are impressive. Throughout more than a decade of study at MSU, Chelsey obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Management (’11), a Masters of Education in Student Affairs and College Teaching (’14) and a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration (’20). While her career path might have led elsewhere, Chelsey chose to devote her career to giving back to the college community that shaped her life. Throughout her career at MSU and the MSU Alumni Foundation (MSUAF) over the past 12 years, Chelsey has served in a variety of professional roles. She worked in MSU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success, the Office of Student Engagement, ASMSU, Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, and currently at MSUAF where she was recently promoted to Senior Director of Development in recognition of her leadership skills and positive team spirit. In each role, Chelsey leveraged knowledge, relationships, and her powerful ability to catalyze impact. Today, with close to 17,000 enrolled at MSU, the need for philanthropic support is more pressing than ever before. MSUAF is fortunate to have Chelsey on the team. Chelsey understands first-hand the need for scholarship support, and she communicates effectively to MSU’s community of donors, friends, and alumni. Chelsey is responsible for building lasting relationships and securing private support – over $1 million per year - in major gifts to support MSU’s many initiatives, people, and programs. Myriad students have benefited from scholarship funds that Chelsey cultivated and asked for. Fundraising can be intimidating, but Chelsey excels in it. She approaches her work with energy, tenacity, and skillful storytelling. MSU alumni and donors trust Chelsey - they recognize that her story is one MSU hopes to replicate and scale. Funding makes it all possible. Chelsey’s journey from first-generation college student to senior MSUAF fundraiser is beautifully circular. Her team at MSUAF is blessed to witness what it looks like to truly pay it forward. Chelsey’s work changes lives.

As a first-generation graduate herself, Mackenzie embodies the first-generation experience through her grit and perseverance. She is a lighthouse beacon, extremely passionate about supporting student success initiatives that aim to help students along their collegiate journey. She has been an unwavering ally, always reaching back and extending a hand up to the next generation of students coming through not only the TRIO program, but through her work as the chair of the First-Generation Committee, First Scholars Network member, and HOBY Leadership chair. She dedicates countless hours towards planning, executing, and coordinating events for first-generation students, and the faculty, staff and students at Montana State University are lucky to have such a dedicated person on their team!

Mackenzie is the Program Coordinator for TRIO Student Support Services, a program that supports first generation, low income, and/or students with disabilities with the goal of increasing rates of retention and graduation within those populations. Seeing the unique challenges facing first generation students, and being a first generation student herself, her passion for First-Gen student success propelled her far beyond her duties as a program coordinator. She is a co-founder and chair of the First Generation committee. This committee has found ways to collaborate with offices across campus, capitalize on resources already available, and then expanded and created new programing for undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff in order to better understand the First Generation Identity and how the university community can better support these students. I personally have attended workshops and events hosted by their committee and learned new ways to consider, create, and evaluate first-generation student success on our campus. Attendees of these events are not simply within the Division of Student success, but reach academic departments and colleges, human resources, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Faculty Excellence, the MSU Library, and more. I believe this diversity of attendance has much to do with Mackenzie’s efforts to form relationships across campus, and stay in communication with other to meet goals across campus. I have witnessed how this variety at First Gen events has produced richer conversations and creative ideas on how we can better support these students, and consider the intersectionality with other identities and needs as well. During her tenure as committee chair, Mackenzie has been instrumental in MSU’s designation as a “First-Gen Forward” Institution—an honor awarded only to institutions illustrating a clear mission of supporting student through the challenges of being first generation. She has created programming for National First Generation College Celebration Day (MSU’s second and third celebration ever!) This celebration included taking professional headshots for first-gen students; a photo exhibition in collaboration with the MSU library; a “Famous First Gen” display in collaboration with ASMSU; a first generation student panel to share experiences with other students, staff, and faculty; and a First Gen Book club for faculty and staff. Mackenzie has also worked to create the inaugural First Generation Graduation Celebration happening this spring—a time and space to recognize students who have faced the barriers and challenges of being a first generation student and reached the finish. I know that through Mackenzie’s efforts, we shall see the retention and graduation of these students continue to grow. Montana University has at least 17.1% of the undergraduate student population identifying as first generation students, and counting. As Mackenzie likes to point out, some students might not realize this is an identity they hold—she didn’t during her time as an MSU undergraduate—and so this can very well be undercounted. Her innovation to create different events and resources on campus align with the university’s Strategic Plan. The designation as First Gen Forward (the first university in Montana to receive the title), not only sounds good—but with Mackenzie at the helm, can bring significant positive change for our campus community.

Simply put, no one deserves to win this award more than Sky Wernik.  Over the last few years of working with Sky as my supervisor, I have watched her continuously advocate for and display incredible support of First-Generation students.  I have listened to her champion TRIO and the incredible work they do, as well as guiding students toward the First-Generation Student Support Services continuously.  As a first-generation student herself, she is modeling the way for others by not only working towards her doctorate degree, but also working full-time in the EHHD Dean's office, providing leadership to myself, as well as our team, which is sometimes quite similar to herding cats.  She diligently makes sure that our college is exhibiting inclusive practices for all, again leading the way and setting the example for our team.  I appreciate working with her so much, as she has helped me to establish a level of trust that creates a very safe working environment, and I feel like she puts me in the best position to succeed.  We are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.

Auna is on the First Generation student and serves on the First Generation committee and has been working hard with multiple departments on campus to create a First Generation scholarship for out of state students because currently we only have one for in-state students. She is also an advocate for first generation students and helps advise them through the application and first year process. She is the go-to person in the office for all questions surrounding this topic and steps up to help every chance she gets!

Throughout her time in the Office of Admissions, Auna has continuously gone above and beyond to advocate for and support every first-generation student that walks through our door. A first-generation student herself, she combines her knowledge of higher education and personal experience to create a welcoming and empathetic experience for prospective students. She has advocated for procedural changes in our office and on our campus to enhance the first-gen student experience. Her passion is exhibited through her work to break down barriers as well as the personal impact she has made on the many students she has helped enroll here at MSU.

Alisha is a staff member in the Planning department of University Facilities Management.  She takes great pride in being a first generation MSU grad (now employee).  Alisha works tirelessly to support, advocate and recognize not just First Gen personnel, but across campus in both her role as Space Planner as well as All Staff Council and numerous other committees.  She strives to build support and excitement for Wellness endeavors, the annual Pow Wow, and numerous other campus community events.  Alisha is welcoming to all new staff members.  Her positivity and solutions driven manner of taking on tasks is inspiring and she is well deserving of this award.

I would like to nominate Alisha Downs for the First Gen Service Excellence Award. She has been serving on the first gen committee, a role outside her normal staff functions, I think her role in that is certainly one example of why she is deserving. I am her supervisor so maybe I'm biased, but I can't think of anyone more deserving. Alisha herself is a First Gen student and MSU alum which is a reason that she cares and is deeply invested in this topic, it also makes her an excellent example of what MSU is trying to support first gen students to achieve. Over her 10 years working at MSU for the Registrar's Office and Planning, Design, and Construction she has worked diligently to serve students. I have seen her go above and beyond numerous times dealing with space issues for PDC, and making sure that how we are serving students is a key part in decision making. In particular bringing forward ideas and solutions around space needs for many student serving groups like TRIO, Gear Up, and Gallatin College, all of whom have a huge role in supporting First Gen students. I believe Alisha is an excellent example of someone at MSU working to support first gen students and also an example of how those students can use their education to be successful a support MSU, the community, and Montana.

Joe Hicks is a first generation college student and has earned multiple degrees from MSU, including his secondary education degree in Social Studies Broadfield and later his doctoral degree in Adult & Higher Education. He serves as a course instructor for EDU 101 and for student teaching, allowing him to serve as a support at both the beginning and end of program for students who choose to pursue a career as educators. He organizes the College of EHHD Explore Academics segment of MSU Fridays where he brings his enthusiasm, knowledge, and first-gen story to prospective students and serves as a model of first-generation student accomplishment. In his role as Associate Dean for the College of EHHD, he has the opportunity to connect students with a variety of supports to bolster their success.