Biography

Cathy Forrest is a dedicated higher education professional in the University of Rhode Island Undergraduate Admission office who understands firsthand the unique journey of first-generation college students. Cathy began her college experience by taking one or two classes at a time at a community college while working full time. She later transferred to a private college to earn her associate degree before continuing on to complete her bachelor’s degree at a university. Now, she is pursuing her master’s degree in Adult Education, proving that learning and growth can happen at any stage of life. Through her own experiences balancing work, school, and personal responsibilities, Cathy is passionate about supporting students as they navigate their college journeys. She hopes to serve as both a mentor and source of encouragement for first-generation students, reminding them that persistence and asking questions are key to success. Cathy believes that even when college feels challenging, students should continue pushing forward because they are capable of achieving their goals. As a mentor, Cathy is especially interested in supporting students with personal growth and goal setting, major exploration and selection, academic and study strategies, time management and organization skills, and graduate school planning.