First Generation Family of the Year 2026

     Topeka, Kan. – Washburn University will celebrate its “First-generation Family of the Year” during halftime of the Washburn Women’s basketball game Feb. 28, in Lee Arena, in the Petro Allied Health Center. The game against Missouri Southern begins at 3 p.m. Washburn will recognize the Nino-Elliott family as the first-generation family of the year for their dedication to and enthusiasm for the university. Washburn University President JuliAnn Mazachek and acting Vice President of Student Life Teresa L. Clounch will accompany the student and her family.

      “Washburn takes opportunities throughout the year to celebrate our students – their accomplishments and the ways they give back to our community,” said Clounch. “Our first-generation students have a unique perspective of the higher education experience and enrich the learning experience for us all.”

Elvia Nino-Elliott

      Elvia Nino-Elliott is a double major in marketing and sociology. The first-generation student who couldn’t even dream of college is a year away from two bachelor’s degrees, joined Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., is a senior peer educator, participated in student government and traveled abroad.

     “I never thought that I would ever make it to college, my only goal in life was to graduate from high school. However, coming to Washburn has changed my life entirely for the better,” said Nino-Elliott. “I have made so many connections, friendships and gained new experiences and skill sets that I would have never gotten without Washburn.”

      The journey hasn’t been easy. She is the fourth of five daughters, born to a father who immigrated from Tres Valles, Veracruz, Mexico and a mother who was raised in poverty. Like most first-generation college students, Nino-Elliott entered “college almost completely blind” as she did not have family members blazing collegiate trails for her. And she pushed through all this after her father passed in 2018.

        She credits the Washburn community for helping her succeed. “Washburn faculty have truly been an inspiration and huge part of my Washburn experience. Someone that I would truly love to bring attention to is Dr. Sangyoub Park. I have had Dr. Park every semester for various Sociology courses since freshmen year. He has been a huge supporter for me and even encouraged me to add Sociology as a second major. He truly helped me see that anything is possible, even when the odds seem against it all. This past summer, I was able to take a study abroad trip with Dr. Park to South Korea, a lifelong dream of mine and something that was so sentimental to me. Before my dad passed, we had made a promise to travel to South Korea together, but he passed sadly before we were able to. Dr. Park made this dream of ours come true and I will forever be thankful to him and Washburn for allowing me to take this trip.”

        She continued, “Another person, who has been a large part of my experience is Ryan Durst, a student who gradated just this past fall. He was my Peer Educator for WU101 and that is the reason I am still attending college today. During my freshmen year fall semester, I was considering dropping out because I wasn’t making friends and I didn’t really feel like I was finding where I belonged on campus. While Ryan didn’t know this, he noticed my lack of participation on campus and told me that I should join WSGA [student government]. Instead of dropping out right away, I took his advice, stayed for the spring, and decided to join. This was when just about everything changed for me. I became more active on campus, and from this, I was able to start to find my friend group and even joined a sorority on campus. It was like a switch had flipped and everything was starting to fall into place. I don’t think that without either of these two people I would be where I am now.”

        “Washburn has been a large milestone for my family and I, without it, don’t think my family would be where we are now,” said Nino-Elliott.  Her youngest sister is now a student at Missouri Northwest studying mass media with an emphasis in sports media, and her mother is interested in possibly attending college to further her education.

        The young lady who once couldn’t fathom college has not only opened new ideas for her family but is helping others navigate their path through higher education as a senior peer educator. Nino-Elliott anticipates graduating from Washburn University in Spring 2027.

First-Generation At Washburn

        Washburn considers a student first-generation if none of their parents or their legal guardians completed a bachelor’s degree (regardless of if siblings or other relatives have earned degrees). The university has multiple programs in place specifically to integrate first-generation students and their families into Washburn University and the college experience.

        “Washburn is committed to supporting first-generation students and families both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Dr. Jennifer Wiard, associate dean for student success and retention, Washburn University. “Our programs to help first-generation students find success in their first year through graduation have been recognized nationally.”

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