LEXINGTON, Ky. – For Kayla Gill, Ph.D., social work was meant for her. As a first-generation college student from Lexington, and UK Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) alum, Gill now has the opportunity to give back to the community she was once a part of.
Gill now serves as the Associate Director for CARES First-Generation in the Office of Student Success, focusing on program advising and student support, planning events like First-Gen Week and creating the First-Gen Faculty program.
As the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) celebrates First-Gen Week during November 3-8, Gill shares her story, aligning with the theme of the week, “First-Gen: Telling Our Stories.”
“As a first-gen student, I had the typical journey of having to figure things out on my own and using that strength to navigate my way through,” Gill shared. “The College of Social Work was home for me and set me up for success. It gave me a strong toolbox of skills and a deep appreciation for the people who supported me along the way.”
Following her time at the CoSW, Gill went on to earn a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Houston and then returned to Lexington to pursue her Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation, graduating in May 2025.
Now, her journey has come full circle as Gill and her team celebrate First-Gen Week.
“Every first-gen story is different, and we want to honor that,” Gill said. “We’re hosting a week of events, starting with Cat Chat Live, which connects with parents and families. We’ll also have a large kickoff event with campus partners to highlight available resources, and we’ve invited campus partners to host their own celebrations.”
The CARES First-Generation office offers many services for students, focusing on helping students get connected and set up for academic success through program advising. CARES also offers a five-week faculty program focused on supporting first-gen students and creating a community in the classroom.
Showing up in community spaces and building relationships with staff and mentors is a piece of advice Gill shares with first-generation students and one that she followed during her time at the CoSW, getting involved in undergraduate research and studying abroad. Gill also mentioned relying on your strength as a student and person is a key factor to success.
“Recognize that you bring unique strengths and skills from your background, like persistence and independence, that will help you succeed. Always ask for help and use your resources. It’s easy to think, “I’ve got this,” but we can’t do everything alone,” Gill shared.
First-Gen Week gives colleges and departments across campus an opportunity to showcase how they support first-gen students and help them succeed both at UK and beyond. The CoSW will be hosting a First-Gen Fiesta on Tuesday, November 4 on the 6th floor of Patterson Office Tower. Students are invited to stop by from 10:30am – 2 p.m. for lunch and to connect with fellow students.
For more information on First-Gen Week and to view the full calendar of events, please visit the CARES First-Generation website.
