Student Success Champion Profile - Donna Hight, Ph.D. - First-Generation Day Special Edition

On November 8, we honor “first-generation students” – that is, those whose parents have not completed a four-year degree. Donna Hight began as a first-generation student herself, and throughout her career she has supported and celebrated these students as they forge their way into the frontier of higher education.

Although neither of Donna’s parents earned a bachelor’s degree, they expected and encouraged their children to do so. As she recalls, “We could figure out where to go to college and what we would do there; but there was no question we were going!” Donna chose to pursue a business degree at UNC Charlotte and discovered a love of higher education and student support while serving as a resident assistant which motivated her to pursue a master’s degree in student counseling and personnel services. She launched her professional career as a residence director at UNC Wilmington. Later she also took on the role of president for the South Carolina chapter of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), working tirelessly to run conferences, get sponsors, and garner national recognition for their work. Before age forty, she earned a lifetime achievement award from the South Carolina ACPA chapter. After going back to earn her Ph.D. in student affairs administration from the University of Georgia, Donna turned her eyes to the Midwest and joined the team at Ohio State Mansfield.

“I am still here 20 years later, because I really love the students on this campus, and what we do for them.”

Now in her 20th year at Mansfield, Donna feels this community and this campus are the ideal place for her. As Assistant Dean of Student Success, she works directly with students to identify and connect them to the supports they need, and also considers how to redesign systems in ways that will improve students’ lives and success. As one example, Donna saw how the Columbus campus gathered survey data during orientation to support first-year students, and worked with retention specialist Tara Hines to reallocate money to implement a similar process on the Mansfield campus. As a result, the campus now has a coordinated framework to identify each incoming student’s particular support needs, and to connect students to the right supports at the right time. As Donna says, “that really helped move the needle on our retention.”

Donna is particularly proud of her team for building partnerships with 19 different community agencies that help support students on and off the campus. For example, when Donna’s team became aware that some students were dealing with food insecurity, they began building a campus pantry. When the need outpaced what they could provide, they partnered with a local food pantry to register students for their services in addition to the campus pantry. They also created an emergency fund to provide students with short-term financial assistance. In coming years, Donna hopes to focus additional resources on students’ housing and rent needs. “I’ve seen first-hand, time and time again, how these resources help students succeed and achieve their goals,” she says. In recognition for all the work she has done for Ohio State Mansfield, Donna has received both the Distinguished Staff Award and the Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award.

“When you understand that there are people who’ve had profoundly more difficult circumstances, it makes me proud when we help them, so they can negotiate their situation, get to graduation, and get a job.”

Outside of work, Donna serves on the board of directors for multiple Mansfield-area nonprofits and organizations, including Love on a Mission which supports LGBTQ+ youth, and 33 Forever which raises awareness for those with depression or suicidal thoughts. Donna is also a founding member of a local action group of women who come together to volunteer, organize resources, and create task forces. She feels blessed to have this group, saying, “We get together, and everyone works to do different things, to focus on different service areas, but we all draw in to help one another.”

When asked for her advice to students, Donna says: “Just ask for help!” She feels this is especially important for first-generation students, who tend to be least comfortable with disclosing personal or academic struggles. Donna tells students, “If you need something, and you're not sure if we've got it, then write me and ask me! I've worked hard to develop relationships with people out in the community who do social service work. And if we don't have it on this campus, I will find you somebody.”

Photo 1: Donna at a Love on a Mission gala receiving the Sam Ramirez Award.

Photo 2 (from left to right): Donna next to Brutus Buckeye. Donna at a women’s leadership conference co-sponsored by the Richland County Foundation Women’s Fund. Donna with two students at LGBTQIA+ Pride.