# @mvsu1950 on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/BoMvBc5BqA0
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/21673859-mvsu1950-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/4ac0f1f75e.jpg
- **Posted:** 2018-09-26T18:13:47.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Mississippi Valley State University (@mvsu1950) — https://gondola.cc/mvsu1950

## Caption

#Repost evehudsonphd ・・・
One of the most significant events of my life and career happened a few months ago—two years after I “took the leap” and seven months after releasing 1865. Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) became the FIRST institution to adopt my FIRST book, 1865, as the Common Read for their FIRST-year students. Each day since I learned that it was happening, I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around it. I’ve been a mix of overwhelmingly grateful, stunned, and nervous—this has been beyond anything I would have ever imagined when I wrote it.
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As a FIRST-generation college graduate raised by a single parent in a low-SES home, a woman, person of color, and someone who has long been plus size… I am moved. In this moment, I am reminded to share with each of you, especially those who share similar experiences, of a few things: 1. Have faith and trust the process. 2. Don’t ever be ashamed of where you’ve come from or what you’ve been through. 3. Never doubt yourself (even if/when others doubt you). 4. Be assured there is a place in this world for you. 5. Be the someone to others that you needed someone to be for you. 6. Let your light shine. 7. Keep pressing forward.
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To my new friends and family at MVSU, I say from the depths of my heart that I am thankful beyond what words will ever be able to express. I cannot wait to get to Itta Bena to meet with you all later this fall!
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#UpliftingFirstGens #FirstGen #FirstGeneration #FirstGenerationCollegeGrad #PlusSize #ShawU #HBCU #HBCUGrad #Author #HigherEducation #SocialEntrepreneur #DeltaSigmaTheta #MVSU #Mississippi #Charlotte #CommonRead #MotivationalSpeaker #InspirationalSpeaker

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## Tags

author, firstgenerationcollegegrad, plussize, hbcugrad, firstgen, deltasigmatheta, inspirationalspeaker, firstgeneration, commonread, charlotte, mvsu, mississippi, shawu, upliftingfirstgens, motivationalspeaker, highereducation, socialentrepreneur, repost, hbcu

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