“From Struggle to Success: A First-Generation Journey Through Higher Education” follows the powerful story of Dr. Garry Mebane’s determination to rise above poverty, doubt, and limitations. Born the fifth of eight children in a sharecropping family in North Carolina, Garry grew up working tobacco fields before school and lived in a crowded house after a devastating fire. Even when college seemed out of reach, he never lost hope. When a football scholarship fell through, he joined the Army in search of a better life. There, he found a path to education and proved to himself that he could achieve more than others expected. From late nights studying in barracks in Korea to building a career as a Senior Network Engineer and eventually founding his own company, Garry’s story shows how persistence can change any narrative. Along the way, he discovered a calling in ministry, supported his community, and motivated his family to believe in their own dreams. By sharing his doctoral research on first-generation college students, he offers guidance to anyone facing similar struggles. This book is both a testament to resilience and a call for creating a more supportive world for those daring to be the first.