Angela Elliott starts a new family tradition — by going to college at UC
Despite the odds, the Elliott siblings are the first in their family to attend college
When Marcus Elliott arrived on the University of Cincinnati’s campus as a Marian Spencer Scholar, his older sister Angela came to move-in day with a gift basket.
In the basket was some UC swag, but more importantly there was a stack of notecards with a message written on each card. Among the messages: Get to class early so you get the seat you want. Register for classes as soon as they open so you have a good schedule. Don’t forget to fill out financial aid forms!
Angela and Marcus Elliott pictured with mom Amanda Taylor (front left) and sister Kayla Elliott. Photo/provided
Angela Elliott, a UC senior majoring in social work, wrote the cards because she knew from experience how overwhelming it can be to attend college, especially as a first-generation college student. While Marcus has access to an academic adviser and a Marian Spencer adviser, he says he thinks of his sister as his bonus adviser.
“I had no idea where to start. I didn’t really know anything about college,” Angela says of receiving a UC Gen-1 scholarship in 2019 and moving into the Gen-1 1MPACT House. The scholarship paid for half of her housing and meal plan and also gave her access to a Gen-1 adviser, but there was still so much to navigate that she wanted Marcus to have all the advantages she could give him.
Amanda Taylor hugs her son Marcus Elliott upon learning he received UC's Marian Spencer Scholarship. Photo/Andrew Higley./UC Marketing + Brand
“One of the reasons I did go to college was to help my siblings. My scholarship essay was about wanting to go to remove generational curses,” says the Cincinnati Oyler School graduate who became valedictorian of her class, as did Marcus, despite circumstances during their upbringing that could have derailed them both.
At his graduation speech, Marcus thanked his mother, a substance use disorder survivor, for all the love and support she gave her children and says he is constantly thankful for all the strength it took her to overcome addiction when they were children and young teens.
“How did I get so lucky with my kids?” both siblings say is a constant refrain in their household, since their mother now works as a substance use disorder counselor and sees firsthand how children can flounder in addiction environments.
Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
She’s taught me that if you work hard and give it your all that you can do anything.
Marcus Elliott on sister Angela
“Our experience is what really pushed me into majoring in social work,” Angela says, adding that her current internship at the Hamilton County Public Defenders’ Officer has helped her become more empathetic toward others in the same situation. Three days a week she works with clients who are incarcerated and need addiction treatment.
“I’m excited to go every day and it makes me happy to talk with my clients and help them make good choices,” she says.
Marcus says he has always looked up to his big sister as a role model and remembers when she was named valedictorian when he was a freshman. “I didn’t even know what the word meant,” so she explained it to him, and he decided that it sounded like a good thing to be.
Marcus Elliott was valedictorian of his class at Oyler High School — just like sister Angela. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
“I try to follow in her footsteps when I can. She’s taught me that if you work hard and give it your all that you can do anything.”
She also taught him, by giving him an umbrella, that it’s always a good thing not to get caught in a rainstorm.
“I wouldn’t even have an umbrella if it wasn’t for her.”
Featured image at top of Angela Elliott: Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
UC officials, cheerleaders and the band surprised Marcus Elliott (center) with a full ride to UC on Decision Day, Jan. 24, 2022. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Creative + Brand
Become a Bearcat
Whether you’re a first-generation student or from a family of Bearcats, UC is proud to support you at every step along your journey. We want to make sure you succeed — and feel right at home.
Related Stories
UC‘s College of Arts and Sciences taps innovative new leadership
December 20, 2023
The College of Arts and Sciences announced Ryan J. White and Rina Williams as the newest divisional deans of Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. White and Kennedy’s inclusion will bring new focuses and structure around student success and the college of Arts and Sciences’ advancement. Both will officially begin their new terms on Jan. 1, 2024.
What is UC’s 4 + 1 program?
December 4, 2023
You may be a UC student thinking about taking your education to the next level — UC’s College of Arts and Sciences has a pathway to help you do just that. A&S has no fewer than 15 five-year programs — from biological sciences to Spanish to psychology — where you can earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years, versus the traditional six-year track. The Bachelors and Master’s 4 + 1 Program is designed to increase your marketability and deepen your understanding of the subject matter. And in an increasingly competitive job market, you may want to investigate an additional year of study.
Clifton Court Hall grand opening garners detailed media coverage
September 20, 2023
The University of Cincinnati celebrated the opening of Clifton Court Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 19, with a ribbon cutting, attended by approximately 200 administrators, faculty, staff and students. The event was covered by multiple media outlets.