First-generation Student Spotlight: Kaylynn McClenny

Earlier this year, Kaylynn Mcclenny started volunteering at the Homeless Resource Center in Lawrence as part of her routine.

McClenny, a junior in the Bachelor of Social Work program at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, enjoys spending time with the people at the Homeless Resource Center and helping them get the resources they need. 

“It’s the best two hours out of my week,” McClenny said. “I spend it building connections with guests and volunteers.”

McClenny understands what happens when people’s needs aren’t met. She grew up in Topeka, raised mostly by her grandparents, and is a first-generation college student and the first in the family to attend KU. 

Her grandparents and great-grandparents made school accessible to McClenny. She also believed it was something she could do.

Social work was always a path that made sense to her because of her relationship to her family.  

“I’ve wanted to help kids who come from similar situations growing up. I’m estranged from my father, and my mother is a recovering addict who is in and out of jail,” McClenny said. “I saw how the system itself failed not only me, but also my mom.”

McClenny believes things can go differently for people if they have access to resources and the help they need – social work can change lives.

She said part of her identity as a first-generation college student contributes to what will make her a good social worker. Her core values are rooted in helping others and understanding the importance of human relationships and surrounding yourself with people who come from different places and backgrounds. 

The KU School of Social Welfare made for a great landing spot for her. 

“I’ve been expanding my knowledge. Everyone has a different story, but we all revolve around the same system and similar social issues,” McClenny said. “It’s so nice to get different perspectives and see the different ways we can handle situations.”

McClenny has an extensive list of aspirations in a social work career, but it all comes back to her goal of assisting others. 

That includes helping other first-generation students like herself. 

“If they’re feeling impostor syndrome here, I would tell them that they are exactly where they are supposed to be,” McClenny said. “You are going to get what you came here for.”