KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — The road to college can be daunting, especially if a student is navigating the process as a first-generation student. Federally supported efforts like the College Assistance Migrant Program have been a bridge between seasonal farm-working families and higher education in multiple universities, including Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
“My parents always told me that education was really important in order to be able to live well,” Flore, a WMU sophomore who asked to be identified only by her first name, said.
Flore lived in Oklahoma for 10 years before her family moved to Fremont, Michigan, when there was a need for more farm workers.
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Determined to make that dream of education happen, Flore said she visited campus three times. One of those visits crossed the path of a staff member who told them about CAMP.
CAMP Director Ashley Bravo says the program is for first-year students and provides scholarships and advocacy for the students. It also helps parents with the transition.