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First Generation Student: His Journey, His Success

Shameer Garrett, a first-generation Niner, didn’t always know where to start. With his drive and supporting community, he started his own journey at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 

Authored by D'ascia Muir, Employer Engagement Marketing Intern

 

33% of students at UNC Charlotte identify as first-generation students, which means they will be the first in their family to receive a four-year bachelor’s degree. Among them stands Shameer Garrett, a Management Information Systems major with a minor in Economics. 

Garrett is a part of the Business Honors Program and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He arrived at UNC Charlotte from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, in 2023 seeking independence and opportunity. Despite a heavy course load, work schedule, campus involvement and financial stressors, he has stayed the course. He didn’t have a blueprint for the college experience, but he built his community and a life he is proud of. 

Garrett feels that being a first-gen student provided him with the opportunity to see college from a different perspective; he saw there was a chance to give back to others in an impactful way. 

 

Research and Mentorship

For his Senior CapStone project through the honors program, he leads a seminar for first-generation students. The seminar is based on his research and a 16-page literature review that explores the success factors of first-generation students.

Beyond this project, he demonstrates his ability to support other Niners:

Shameer Garrett stands at the front of the Belk College of Business Open House event smiling brightly
  • SAFE Program: As a mentor with the Students Achieving First-Year Excellence Program, where he mentored a group of freshmen. His mentees have gone on to land dream roles on and off campus.
  • Kappa Alpha Psi: As a member who has watched his brothers work hard toward their own goals, which pushes him to do the same. 
  • Belk College of Business: As a Peer Guide who provides internship and job guidance.

 

Internships and Experiential Learning Opportunities

Garrett has successfully mentored students partly because of his extensive industry experience and community involvement. He is currently an Audit & Assurance Intern with Deloitte, where he previously completed a Discovery II internship. Additionally, he has participated in internships with GardHouse as a Business Operations & Strategy intern and a Finance intern. To top it all off, he has international experience and participated in a study abroad experience in Geneva, Switzerland. As the first in his family to travel the globe, he is soaring high.  

Shameer Garrett poses next to various Brothers of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at UNC Charlotte

He experienced a blip during the summer of 2024 when he faced car troubles that brought financial uncertainty. While he sat in the auto-repair shop, dreading the bill, he received an email from Truist. “I got the scholarship, and it was like a weight [had been] lifted off my shoulders,” exclaimed Garrett. As a Truist Scholar, Garrett has access to the corporate world through Truist events and activities that strengthen his professional network.

Maintaining a high grade point average, interacting with his built community, and engaging in experiential learning keeps Garrett busy. But each day is an opportunity to learn. With graduation quickly approaching, he is leaving his mark on Niner Nation. Garrett leaves a legacy of mentorship, positive influence, and his passion for making a difference in his community. Those ahead of him inspired motivation and determination. Now other Niners look to him as inspiration to forge their own pathways to success.