Airi Tilley is her familys version of a pioneer.
Not only is she the first person on either side of her family to attend college, shes also the first to be completely independent at the age of 18.
But being first isnt always easy. Despite working nearly full time, Tilley (pictured far right) often struggled to pay her bills. On the toughest days, she went without food or surreptitiously took leftovers from work events.
Being a college student is a humbling experience, she said. Everyone is struggling, and some people feel so afraid to ask for help. We shouldnt normalize that suffering.
The experience left Tilley with a desire to help others. Shes working toward a degree in media and professional communications in the College of General …
Read the full article at: https://www.pitt.edu/pittwire/features-articles/panthers-forward-class-of-2023