Michelle Obama’s Becoming proved to be the perfect launching off point for a robust discussion of college access and completion, ways to support first-generation and marginalized students, and a counselor’s role in these goals.

In a #NACACreads Twitter chat Tuesday night, Eric Waldo, the executive director of Reach Higher, shared his insights on these subjects and more. Reach Higher was founded by Mrs. Obama and Waldo has traveled with the former first lady during her recent Becoming book tour.

“First, I think we can be encouraging, because ALL students are college material. Then it’s more about fit than any one school name. AND we have to talk about not just access but COMPLETION,” Waldo tweeted.

Participants in the chat concurred with this statement, highlighting the need for services to support students, especially first-generation and marginalized students, throughout their college journey.

The need for powerful stories, role models, and examples of college success was also stressed.

“You can’t be what you can’t see. It’s important to lift up the stories of young people going to college. Role-models like @MichelleObama – a first-gen @Princeton grad from the Southside of Chicago – help show young people that it is possible for them to achieve the same success,” Waldo said.

Read the full transcript and learn more about #NACACreads.

Ashley Dobson is NACAC’s communications manager for content and social media. You can reach her at adobson@nacacnet.org.