ABOUT
“YOU ARE SMART, AND YOU ARE GOING TO COLLEGE.”
When Dr. La’Tonya Rease Miles was in third grade, a homeroom teacher said: “You are smart, and you are going to college.” A shy, nerdy, sports-loving, only child of a working-class, teenage single mom, she wondered next: “How does a smart Black girl get to college?”
A pioneer of first-generation studies, long-time practitioner of university initiatives for first-generation students at several U. S. colleges, and dynamic advocate of first-generation representation on social media, in mass media, and within popular culture, “Dr. LT,” as she is affectionately called, did not actually know she was “first-gen” for much of her life.
In her memoir, she traces the (sound)tracks of her life as she journeys through myriad K-12 public schools (nine) and several college experiences (three) toward a PhD and beyond, battling self-doubt, racism, “imposter syndrome,” and “survivor’s guilt” to transform the higher education landscape for herself, her family, and community.
AUTHOR
DR. LA’TONYA “LT” REASE MILES
LT (she/her) is a trailblazer in first-generation higher education. As a first-gen graduate herself, she has designed groundbreaking programs at UCLA and Loyola Marymount University to support first-gen students. A co-founder of the Black First Gen Collective and My Tribe Media, LT advocates for non-traditional learners and elevates first-gen narratives through scholarly work and digital communities. An avid fan of NBA basketball, college football, and pop culture, she holds a Ph.D. in American literature from UCLA and explores the intersections of first-gen identity and cultural representation in her writing.
Favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights
Favorite superhero: The Flash
Photo by: zoemiles.art
LET’S CONNECT
Are you looking to inspire your audience with a powerful story of resilience, identity, and the first-gen experience? Dr. La'Tonya "LT" Rease Miles is available for speaking engagements, workshops, and panel discussions.
Fill out the form below to inquire about booking LT for your next event. We look forward to hearing from you!
KEY THEMES
Cultural Influences
Smart Girl shifts the focus of first-gen memoirs from solely academic grit to exploring the everyday cultural forces that shape identity and resilience.
Intersectionality
The memoir gives voice to the multifaceted identities of Black, first-gen, and working-class students, aiming to uplift those who rarely see themselves represented.
Literary Engagement
With rich allusions to literature, Smart Girl provides a dual-layer of engagement, inviting those familiar with the texts to uncover new meanings while encouraging others to explore new perspectives.
Generational Connection
The book captures the essence of Gen X, sparking nostalgic memories for those who lived through it, while offering younger and older readers an understanding of the unique Gen X viewpoint.