Barrett Brenton
Faculty Engagement Associate, Center for Civic Engagement
Both of my parents graduated from high school but did not go on to college. My older brother and I dreamed of going to college starting when we were in grade school. He wanted to be a zoologist and I wanted to be an archaeologist. We both actually ended up getting our doctorates in our respective fields. It was not as direct of path as it seems. Our parents were very supportive of us, but we knew we had to cover the cost. Thus, we both went to a large public university. I always knew that I could fall back on the skills I had learned in the construction trade if it did not work out. I started out as a music major with scholarship support, Pell Grants, and loans. After my first year I switched to being an anthropology major and have not left higher education since.