Dr. Kimmery Newsom is an Assistant Professor in Family Studies & Human Services at 
Kansas State University Polytechnic, and is a first generation college student. Dr. Newsom grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. She loved school and books from a young age and quickly became interested in basketball. Even though Dr. Newsom was still in elementary school when she started playing basketball, a family friend was coaching 7th grade basketball and took an interest in her. He bought her basketball shoes, took her to basketball camp, went to her games, mentored her, and believed in her. Dr. Newsom contributes this mentor as a positive influence in her life that helped her to further herself and her education.
In high school, Dr. Newsom knew she did not want to perpetuate the cycle of poverty, so she focused on obtaining a college education. Although Dr. Newsom received an academic scholarship to attend Fisk University, which is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in Nashville, she was soon recruited to play basketball at K-State. Dr. Newsom took a leap of faith and decided to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Kansas State University in Manhattan and play basketball on the women’s basketball team. Now, reflecting back on the move to Kansas, Dr. Newsom said it saved her life, removed her from the toxic environment she was in, and gave her room to grow.
As a first generation student, Dr. Newsom built a community while she attended school, which included her basketball teammates and coaches, friends in the dorm, professors, and members of her church. Dr. Newsom said while she found a community at K-State, it was still difficult as her family didn’t understand her desire to further her education or some of the processes and paperwork necessary, like completing the federal student aid application in order to receive financial assistance. Although Dr. Newsom experienced these challenges, she went on to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and her PhD in Family Studies, all from Kansas State University.
Dr. Newsom has great advice for other first generation students. She encourages students to ask questions, seek out support, and get involved in order to build connections and friendships. She also believes students should persevere. Dr. Newsom said, “Find something you enjoy and pursue that consistently and live on purpose.” Additional advice from Dr. Newsom and other first generation K-State faculty members can be found here.