Faces of First-Gen: Kevin Beers

Celebrating 20 years as “the voice” of Oakland University (OU) Athletics, PA announcer Kevin Beers inspires Golden Grizzly student-athletes with his unmistakable energy and enthusiasm. His experience as a first-generation college student contributed to his desire to “be inspired, and to be inspirational” to others as well.

“When I went to college, I was as first-gen as it gets,” Beers says. “Not only did neither of my parents complete a degree, but neither had ever enrolled in a college course. Throw in the fact that I was a financially strapped, nontraditional student, and you can imagine how quickly the challenges piled up.”

Without a frame of reference for how to navigate the college experience, Beers struggled academically. And although he didn’t attend Oakland, he acknowledges that his initial college experience could have been “totally different” if he had had access to some of the resources currently available to first-generation students at OU.

Beers dropped out of college after a year and a half and took jobs in sales, as a morning radio show host and as a high school basketball coach. Then his father’s death changed his own perspective on life. After some reflection, Beers took community college classes with a plan to transfer back to a four-year university — and that plan worked. Beers eventually returned to Central Michigan University, where he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree.

“I needed angels on earth to succeed at college, and somehow, I found them, and they found me,” Beers says of the professors who “bent over backward” to provide him with guidance. When he walked across the stage at graduation, Beers, whose middle name is his father’s first name, ensured that the announcer read off his full name “so that [my dad] could be part of it,” he says.

Beers’ status as a first-generation college student, coupled with a desire to give back, have become more meaningful since he began working at OU. Beers previously worked in the athletics department and is now a development associate in the School of Education and Human Services in addition to being the PA announcer. “Although I didn’t go to Oakland, I adopted it. It became my adopted home, it truly did,” Beers says proudly. And whether he inspires others by modeling good character or sharing his story, Beers considers himself “blessed” to have held roles in which he can positively impact people.

Beers encourages other first-generation students to embrace the tools available to them at OU. “I’m impressed with Oakland’s approach and the resources available for first-gen students,” he says. “My advice to first-gen students at OU is to lean into it and be proud. It might be tough right now, but one day, you’re going to feel really, really good about your success.”

Orientation and New Student Programs (ONSP) is rolling out new programs in 2024-25 geared toward first-year, first-generation students. Monthly events will highlight topics such as financial aid and scholarships, a career check-in and transitioning to the next academic year.  For more information, contact ONSP at (248) 370-4653 or [email protected].