A First-Gen Journey, Shared Forward

This profile is the first in an occasional series highlighting faculty and staff who are members of Bentley’s chapter of Tri Alpha, the national honor society that recognizes the academic achievements of first-generation students, faculty, and staff—those who were the first in their family to attend college.

For more than three decades, Kristine Vidic has helped Bentley students find their career paths. As senior associate director and career equity and access specialist at the Pulsifer Career Development Center, she has been an integral part of the team behind Bentley’s national reputation for career preparation. This year marks the third straight year the Princeton Review has ranked Bentley No. 1 in the country for “Best Career Services.”

Yet when Vidic was a high school senior, college was not an obvious or clearly defined next step.

“In my family, there wasn’t really an understanding of the college search process—visiting different schools to find the right fit,” she says.  “But I watched my friends go through it. On my own, I ultimately chose to apply to a community college.”

That decision changed everything. From the very first semester, Vidic became transfixed by what education offered her. 
“In college, my perspective broadened beyond what I had previously known,” remembers Vidic.

Though she had initially planned on a course of study to earn an associate’s degree, Vidic eventually got her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Along the way, she met a mentor who introduced her to student support services, academic advising, and career development —and helped her secure a fellowship that funded her graduate education.

“I learned that every person you meet along the way has the power to shape your path,” she says.

At Bentley, Vidic has become that guide for countless students, especially those who, like her younger self, arrive on campus without a clear sense of how to navigate the system.

“I’ve taken on a wide range of roles and experiences here,” she says. “I’m truly passionate about my work and love what I do. I focused on finding opportunities for growth within Bentley, and when I had ideas to improve programming for students, I was listened to—and able to bring those ideas to life.”

Much of that work has centered on first-generation students and students from underrepresented backgrounds.

“I work very closely with first-generation students, and those from underrepresented groups,” Vidic explains. “My goal is to help break down barriers that may prevent them from fully accessing and benefiting from our resources.” 

One of those barriers, she says, might be simply knowing who to ask when they have a question and feeling comfortable enough to ask questions in the first place.

“When I was going through it, I was too nervous to ask for help,” she remembers. “I just tried to figure it out on my own.”

Today, her goal is to make sure Bentley’s first-generation students never feel as though they must navigate college alone. A recent initiative she launched with Deloitte Consulting pairs first-generation Bentley sophomores with alumni mentors at the firm.

“Some of the mentors are first-generation students themselves,” Vidic says. “They offer valuable guidance—not only on careers, but also on which classes to take and which professors to connect with. Plus, having an alum as a mentor gives students the added benefit of real-world insight and experience beyond campus.”

Another obstacle for some students that Vidic recognized and addressed is difficulty in affording professional clothing for interviews, presentations, and internships. In 2024, she and her team opened the Bentley University Career Closet, which provides donated professional attire, both new and gently used, to students at no cost.

Though it occupies only a modest space within the Career Center, Vidic designed the closet intentionally, mirroring a retail experience that offers a manageable selection of high-quality items. To date, more than 700 students have used the service — often gaining not just clothing, but confidence.

“First-generation students may not always start on an equal footing,” she says. “But they come with unique strengths: managing college independently, balancing work and school, and sometimes supporting their families. Those experiences build real, meaningful skills.”

Her message to students is both practical and deeply personal — grounded in the perspective she gained by being the first in her family to navigate college and shaped by decades of helping Bentley students do the same.

“Simply do your best,” Vidic advises. “If things don’t go as planned, that's okay, it's part of the journey. Be proud of how far you’ve come on your own, without anyone giving you a roadmap. Your family is proud of you—and so are we.”