In a move that aligns perfectly with its mission, East Tennessee State University has unveiled a new student center aimed primarily at supporting first-generation and low-income students. The Mary V. Jordan Center, celebrated with much enthusiasm on its grand opening, is set to provide invaluable guidance to students facing various barriers in their academic journey.

Thursday’s event was graced by the presence of Mary V. Jordan herself, a retired special assistant for equity and diversity, who expressed her joy in seeing her vision come to life. “We’ve had many programs in the past, but this center is a dream fulfilled,” Jordan remarked. “Now, there are dedicated staff members to assist students in overcoming any hurdles, ensuring they achieve academic success.”

Having officially opened its doors in the summer, the center is dedicated to a unique group of around 200 students who are either first-generation, come from low-income backgrounds, or are working to improve academically. These students benefit from tailored guidance, specialized programs, and extensive services. However, the center’s resources are available to all students at the university.

Director Rachel Barnett highlighted the importance of collaboration across different university departments to meet the diverse needs of the student body. “First-generation and low-income students face challenges that can often go unnoticed,” Barnett explained. “For those unfamiliar with the complexities of higher education, navigating the system can be daunting.”

In an environment as complex as a university, the center has to rely on collaboration from any area that supports students, Director Rachel Barnett said.

“First-generation and low-income students come with a set of challenges that are sometimes hidden,” Barnett said. “Navigating higher education can be very strange for those of us who are not used to this environment.

“We just want to level the playing field … and make sure that they are getting access to everything that they need to help them be successful.”

Toni Onks was one of those first-generation students. Now, she pays it forward as a peer mentor coordinator with the center.

“It makes them feel comfortable and welcomed,” Onks said. “It makes them feel not as alone at ETSU. Having that extra support really does matter.

“I have helped some students who’ve just been like, ‘I have no idea where I am. Please help me.’ And so we’ve helped them and guided them along the way. It’s been really nice to see first-generation students and even just students who need support and help.”

ETSU President Brian Noland said the role people like Onks play traces all the way back to ETSU’s “Committee for 125” strategic visioning process in 2013. Noland said Dorothy Grisham, now a trustee, “had really drilled into the campus the importance of ensuring that all students had the opportunity to realize their dreams, walk across the state and receive their degree.”

A student success group borne of Grisham’s ideas focused on “the importance of peer-to-peer mentoring, but more importantly intrusive advising to make a difference in the lives of students,” Noland said. He said ETSU had seen success with the approach among its student athletes, and Jordan and others had wanted to replicate it as broadly as possible.

He said “intrusive advising” — regularly reaching out to students instead of waiting for them to reach out — has helped bring graduation rates of student groups typically in the 30 to 40% range up to 70 to 80%.

“What the Jordan Center will do will bring that dream that Mary had when she was on that Committee for 125 more than a decade ago to life,” Noland said. “High intensive, intrusive advising, concierge-level service for our students so that all students have the opportunity to realize their dream and graduate from college.”

Jordan said she believes those services will be a difference-maker for many students.

“I think there are a lot of students out there with a lot of potential, but just don’t understand that this is an option for them and that they can come, they can feel like they belong, and they can overcome whatever barriers there are to their success,” she said.

“This is critical for, particularly, first-generation, underrepresented and low-income students,” Jordan added. “And those are the ones that fall through the cracks. So, trying to mend the cracks so students don’t fall through.”

Located inside the D.P. Culp University Center, the Mary V. Jordan Center is open from 7 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.