First-Gen+ Center

Group: I AM FIRST STAFF

Whitney K Gaston

Title: (she/her/hers)
Associate Director
Student Success Coaching

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree Interdisciplinary Social Science, University of South Florida
Graduate Degree Master of Public Health, University of South Florida
Ask me about…. Happy to chat about navigating “hiccups and hurdles” as a student in college, going to graduate school, building relationships, living debt-free.
Other Identities Christian
Interests and Hobbies Dogs (especially Yorkies), yoga, walking/running, and finding easy meals to make.

Vicki L Dominick

Title: (she/her/hers)
Associate Director
Learning Services

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree BA, Psychology, The University of Tampa
Ask me about…. College success strategies. Careers in learning assistance.
Interests and Hobbies Reading, movies, dogs

Wendy Mann

Title: (she/her/hers)
Director
Digital Scholarship Center

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree B.A., Political Science, University of Pittsburgh
Graduate Degree Master of Library Science (MLS), University of Pittsburgh; Master of Public Policy, George Mason University
Ask me about…. data literacy, working with data
library and information science
Interests and Hobbies hiking, cycling, gardening, music

Victoria Hough

Title: (she/her/hers)
Administrative & Office Specialist

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree BA, American Government and Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia
Interests and Hobbies Gardening, Salt Water Fishing, Genealogy

Tammy V Lu

Title: (she/her/hers)
Domicile Coordinator

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree Bachelor’s in Science from Georgia State University
Ask me about…. Community Service, Resource availability on campus, Social Justice in your local community, Personal Development, Breaking barriers as a 1st Generational Student & resources available to you
Other Identities Vietnamese / Chinese Muslim Woman
Interests and Hobbies Party Planning, Arts & Crafts, Mentoring, Checking out new food spots/ boba spots

Taylor Nicole Harris

Title: (she/her/hers)
Senior Success Coach

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree Education Studies, Berea College, Berea KY
Graduate Degree Student Personnel Services in Higher Ed, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond KY
Ask me about…. Presenting at conferences as an undergrad, planning for grad school, navigating college as a student from a rural community/Appalachia.
Other Identities Appalachian
Interests and Hobbies Baking, Walking; Reading

Tahmina Rahman

Tahmina Rahman, Academic Advisor, Honors College. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

Title: Assistant Director
Transfer & Continuing Student Outreach and Support

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree Bachelor of Business Administration, Wichita State University
Graduate Degree Pursuing MA in Higher Education and Student Development at GMU
Terminal Degree
Ask me about…. Happy to discuss anything related to the Honors College.
Other Identities Muslim, Bengali, Bangla is my first language.

Sierra L Mccarroll

Title: (she/they)
Academic Advisor

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree Communication Studies at Kent State University
Graduate Degree Higher Education Administration, Tiffin University (in progress)
Terminal Degree N/A
Ask me about…. I would be happy to discuss how to navigate college while being first gen. Especially while working in higher education. Many first generation students aren’t aware how college even works, or the resources they can take advantage of. I want to bridge that gap, and show students that it is possible to be successful in this way. As an academic advisor, I’d be happy to discuss with students how I got here today.
Other Identities I am African American! That is my identity which I am proud of and beyond excited about.
Interests and Hobbies I am interested in painting, writing, reading, I love animals, and visiting the movies.

Sara Montiel

Title: (she/her/hers)
Associate Director of Student Services
Integrative Studies

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Ask me about…. undergraduate research; navigating college as first-gen; developing relationships with faculty; imposter feelings; first-generation student research; first-gen and child of immigrant research
Other Identities immigrant parentage

Olga Diupina

Title: (she/her)
Admissions Counselor
Honors College

Groups: I AM FIRST STAFF

Undergraduate Degree Government and International Politics, George Mason
Ask me about…. opportunities on campus, career plans, transition to college, and anything in general
Other Identities Russian/from Russia
Interests and Hobbies higher education, my cat, politics, road trips, food