Alumni Story

Throughout my time at Catawba, I truly learned something valuable from every class I attended and greatly appreciated the dedication of each professor I met.”

As a first-generation college student, navigating the path to higher education can be both exciting and overwhelming. For Kira Harwood, who has always had a passion for school and learning, pursuing a college education was an obvious decision.

Kira chose to pursue higher education at Catawba College after having a positive experience taking a Catawba course during her senior year of high school. “This course sparked my interest in psychology and inspired me to major in it at Catawba,” she said. Kira also appreciated Catawba’s small class sizes, the professor's encouragement of critical thinking and reflection, and the overall enriching atmosphere on campus.

While her academic interests and the campus drew her to Catawba, Kira’s journey as a first-generation college student also came with challenges.

She said, “Being a first-generation college student comes with its own challenges, such as not understanding certain processes and not knowing what to expect from college. However, I found these challenges manageable due to the support I received during my time at Catawba. I always felt like I had people in my corner who wanted to see me succeed.”

That support system became even more important during one of the most difficult periods of her college career.

“In my junior year, I faced some personal challenges when my grandmother's health began to decline, which led to her passing. I lived with her, was in a caregiving role for her, and we were very close, so this was a very difficult time for me. This period tested my time management skills as I struggled to balance my coursework, family responsibilities, and feelings of grief. Feeling overwhelmed, I decided it was important to reach out to my professors and share my situation with them. Their responses were fully supportive; they not only offered flexibility with deadlines and assignments when possible but also took the time to check in on my well-being,” she said.

She added, “Their genuine concern went beyond the classroom; even after I moved on from their courses, several professors continued to reach out to see how I was managing. This experience highlighted to me that Catawba's commitment to being rich in personal attention is not just a phrase, but a tangible reality truly exemplified by the remarkable professors and staff. Their kindness and willingness to support me during a difficult time made a lasting impression and is something I remain grateful for to this day.”

That lasting impression of care and mentorship now shapes the way Kira supports students in her current role as a Student Success Coach at Catawba.

“Being a first-generation college student can feel very isolated at times. There is a lot about the college experience that you have to learn for yourself, and that can be really daunting as a freshman student. I really strive to make sure all of my students understand that I am there for them as a resource and as a safe space to be open and honest about the challenges they face and the feelings they have as they navigate the transition from high school to college. I know how much the mentorship I received from faculty and staff meant to me on my journey to graduation, and I hope to provide that same support to the students I work with,” she said.

One piece of advice Kira always shares with her students is the importance of remaining open to the many resources and connections available during their college experience. ‘I encourage my students to connect with professors who can provide mentorship, engage with their classmates to build friendships and participate in campus clubs and events that interest them. These things will not only allow them to make connections, but will also enhance their overall college experience, making it more meaningful,” she said.

Going from a first-generation student to a Student Success Coach at the very same college that helped her succeed has been a very unique experience for Kira. She said, “I am so grateful for my time at Catawba, and I know that my success was greatly influenced by the support of the connections that I made here. My hope is that all the students I work with feel supported and that their voices and dreams are heard, valued, and encouraged by me through their success coaching meetings.”