A Colquitt County native, Cindy Montgomery has more than two decades of experience in higher education marketing and communications. She is currently the public relations/social media manager at PCOM South Georgia. Montgomery has also held positions at four other universities in Georgia as well as newspapers in Georgia and Wisconsin.
I define "first generation" as a student whose parents did not graduate with a college degree.
I began working on a master of public health degree in the fall of 2004 while I was employed as the publications editor with the College of Agriculture at Fort Valley State University. Studying public health meshed perfectly with the topics I wrote about as part of my job. I thoroughly enjoyed all of my classes, even though some of them were incredibly challenging. My classes were in the evening, and there were times when I could not find childcare for my elementary-age son. My professors were kind enough to allow me to bring him to class. He sat in the back either reading a book or watching a movie on his portable DVD player with headphones on. I graduated in 2009 with my MPH.
In the fall of 2018, I decided it was time to begin working on my PhD in communication with Regent University. This time my classes were all online, except for the week-long residencies each summer on campus. A lot had changed in my life between the time I earned the MPH and started the PhD program. My son grew up, graduated from college and moved out on his own. My husband Trey has been my biggest supporter through the entire PhD program. Right now I'm working on my dissertation and scheduled to graduate in May 2024.
I have always worked while I've been a student. As an undergraduate student, I usually worked at least two part-time jobs until my senior year. Then I worked full-time while taking a full load of classes. For both my master's degree and PhD, I've worked full-time. I've spent evenings and weekends doing classwork. It's really been a juggling act to get everything done, and I don't always succeed. My husband Trey is the one who jumps in and helps around the house. He's also the one who reminds me that I still need to rest.
Know who your support system is. Take advantage of study groups. If there's not one, organize one. Manage your time wisely, but make sure you include time for rest and breaks.
When I graduated with my bachelor's degree from Valdosta State University in 1997, I received the Anne Powe Hopper Award. At the time, that was the highest honor given to a student. I was so honored and humbled to receive that award.
The Office of Diversity and Community Relations celebrates the unique accomplishments of first generation students. This series features PCOM faculty, staff and students who were the first to attend college, graduate school or medical school within their families. We believe spotlighting our first generation community members will encourage our students to use their talents to shine during professional school and as future healthcare providers.
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