KU Business student forges path as first-generation student

Jennell Coria, a senior marketing major earning a certificate in professional selling, is passionate about being a first-generation student at the University of Kansas. 

Growing up in Dodge City, Kansas, Coria first attended Johnson County Community College and earned her associate’s degree in liberal arts and science before transferring to KU in spring 2023. Coming from a predominantly Latino community, she experienced culture shock upon moving to Lawrence. This transition taught her adaptability through learning to code-switch in order to navigate the new social environments. 

“Having a strong sense of community has helped me overcome a lot of challenges,” Coria said. “Living with my sister and having a family member to talk about issues with has helped a lot.” 

Coria initially sought a career as a veterinarian, but after beginning a job with Red Bull as a student ambassador, she found a love of business and sales. She decided to pursue a business degree because of the versatility of career opportunities. 

Coria’s parents emigrated from Mexico before she was born, making her the first in her family to be born in the United States. She knew that she didn’t want to follow in the footsteps of other people in her hometown, where most attend small universities close by, so she chose KU to branch out.  

An out-of-state school wasn’t necessarily an option as a first-generation student, and KU was on her radar from the beginning of her college search. With 17.4% of KU students are first-generation, and 54% of all undergraduate students in the United States are first-generation, making Coria part of a large national community but a relatively smaller group at KU. nationwide network and a small community at KU. 

"I’m grateful to be a first-generation student because I feel like it’s built a lot of character,” Coria said. “It’s made me stronger in ways that I wouldn’t have thought. It’s also been about finding my own societal identity and embracing the fact that I don’t have to follow a specific timeline. It’s okay to not graduate in four years. Embrace the experience and give yourself grace.” 

Her original goal when starting at KU was just to graduate. However, she has become heavily involved in the business school as possible, allowing her to meet new people. 

Coria is a member of a business fraternity, the Mentored Scholars Program, the Business Student Ambassadors Program and the Case Competition Club. Because most of her involvements and classes are in Capitol Federal Hall, she decided to get involved elsewhere on campus as well, becoming a KU Alumni student ambassador and rushing a multicultural sorority, which she hopes will help her find a sense of community. 

“I needed to get out of my comfort zone and meet everyone,” Coria said. “MSP really helped me navigate being a first-gen student, especially my advisor, Morgan States.” 

On-campus resources have also been helpful as she develops professionally, and she attributes those to the way she has moved through her academic career. She speaks highly of Jana Fitchett, the school’s case competition director, and of States. 

“There’s a lot of mentorship at the business school that has prepared me for post-grad,” Coria said. “From advising to the career center and career fairs to study abroad, if you’re willing to break out of your comfort zone, which I was, there’s something to help you. Bringing in companies that are recruiting helped me get an internship, which was helpful to add to my resume.” 

Although graduation is nearing, Coria’s not hitting the brakes yet. Over winter break, she plans to study abroad in Spain and Morocco, which she says will top off her journey as a first-generation student. She feels that her experience has made her extremely resourceful, especially in her pursuit of studying abroad, finding as many resources as possible to make it happen. After graduation in May, she hopes to receive a job offer in another sales position in Austin, Texas. 

“Being first-generation is not a linear experience at all,” Cora said. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs in my college career, but I feel like the best thing to have is perseverance. I view my education as a form of political protest as a Latino, while also opening doors for other first-generation students.”