“I find myself constantly questioning: Do I belong here? Was this a mistake? Am I capable of living up to what others expect? I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I’m nervous and full of self-doubt."
As director of TRIO Student Support Services, Adam Cinderich seeks to help students at Kent State University with a great many issues in order to help them find success and eventually, earn a degree.
And while some of the students Cinderich assists are half his age, he empathizes with a deep challenge many of today's students are facing.
“As a first-generation college student, imposter syndrome is something I often struggled with, and still do as a professional to this day,” Cinderich said.
The Struggle Is Real
Impostor syndrome occurs when someone doubts their talents, skills or accomplishments combined with a consistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. In short, it's a phenomenon whereby someone doesn't think they deserve the success they've achieved and this can hinder them from moving forward. Studies show that anywhere from 20 to 40% of today's college students face this type of anxiety, even if they don't realize it.
Cinderich gets it.
Not long ago he too was a first-generation college student and overcame his fears with a strong support network. Years later, that support is still paying dividends as Cinderich was recently named president-elect for the Educational Opportunity Association (EOA).
“With the support of my family, mentors and colleagues, I’ve realized that I do belong, I am capable, and I can live up to what others expect,” Cinderich said. “I’m extremely humbled, honored, proud and excited to serve EOA.”
TRIO Makes A Difference
A not-for-profit organization, EOA is comprised of TRIO professionals from across the Midwest and is the largest regional TRIO association in the United States. TRIO is a set of federally funded college opportunity programs that seeks to level the playing field for students who are first-generation, low-income, underrepresented, have disabilities and/or are veterans, and help them overcome barriers to higher education in pursuit of a four-year college degree. Kent State now has six federal TRIO programs serving 1,421 participants annually.
The purpose of EOA is to provide TRIO professionals with professional development and networking opportunities, award scholarships to TRIO students in partnership with the EOA Foundation, provide unique learning experiences for TRIO students from across the region and represent the voices of Midwest TRIO professionals at the national level.
Since EOA’s founding in 1975, only five representatives from Ohio have served as president; Cinderich is the first from Kent State.
Cinderich understands firsthand the importance of programs like TRIO and hopes to continue emulating the supportive people he was fortunate enough to have in his life.
“Serving at the regional and national levels helps to put Kent State on the map within the TRIO community and as a leader in the college access and success sphere,” he said. “Professionals from across the country will recognize that (Kent State) plays an active role in guiding national conversations about the success of (TRIO) students.”
Having been involved with TRIO for more 10 years, Cinderich remains passionate about the program. He first connected with the TRIO Upward Bound Summer Academy in 2012 and joined the full-time TRIO SSS staff in 2014 as academic program coordinator. Today, he serves as director.
“I have the best job in the world,” he said. “Every college student’s journey is different – their interests, challenges, questions, barriers, successes – everything is different, and that’s what makes it so fun and so rewarding.”
Cinderich will serve the EOA until 2025 in varying presidential roles: president-elect in 2022-23, president in 2023-24 and immediate past president in 2024-25. During this time, he will also represent EOA on the Board of Directors for the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE), a national not-for-profit organization that supports colleges hosting TRIO programs.
He is up for the challenge.
“Years ago, I read a quote that has stuck with me through the years – it read: ‘Imagine if the cure for cancer is stuck inside the mind of someone who can’t afford to go to college.’ Everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status, should have the opportunity to pursue higher education.”