Meet a First Gen Student

Kaylin Reynolds ’27

Kaylin Reynolds ’27 didn’t expect to end up at Bucknell. The Philadelphia native wasn’t thrilled about leaving the city to move to the rural campus, but as an aspiring writer, Bucknell’s English – creative writing program caught her eye. “Bucknell’s writing programs are listed in the top five on nearly every list I researched,” Reynolds says. “So I applied knowing there was an outstanding program here, but I didn’t see myself in Lewisburg.”

Her perspective changed when she was awarded both merit and need-based aid, and received a financial aid package that made her decision an easy one. She signed her acceptance letter, but still wasn’t fully sold on Bucknell.

Her first semester was a tough transition, so Reynolds was surprised to find herself missing campus during winter break. “I started reaching out to my hallmates and working to build relationships,” she says. “By January, I couldn’t wait to get back to Lewisburg.”

She returned for her second semester with a fresh mindset, leaning into campus life and engaging more intentionally with the Center for Access & Success. “The programs the center offers really helped me find a sense of home,” she said. “I started finding my people, which led me to seeing the potential of all Bucknell had to offer, and I came to love everything about my University.”

By summer 2024, Reynolds was interning with the center, helping to establish new initiatives and leading projects based on her own experience as an incoming student. With guidance from Chris Brown, the Andrew Hartman ’71 & Joseph Fama ’71 Executive Director of the Center for Access & Success, she established a communications plan for incoming Gateway Scholars in the Class of 2028. “Before I came to Bucknell, I felt a little out of the loop. I was awarded scholarships, but didn’t really learn about what that meant from a community standpoint until I got to campus,” Reynolds says. “I wanted to help new first-year students feel more connected before they arrived.” Her email communications campaign shared insights on what to expect from the center, inside looks at the transition period, and useful how-tos to inform students on matters including laundry, parking and dining.

Reynolds is continuing her work with the center as a junior fellow, and her passion for helping other students establish their sense of belonging remains at the core of her personal mission. “I know that the work being done to welcome students to Bucknell through the center is powerful,” she says. “And I want to be part of the ideas that are helping other students find a place to call home.”