A First-Generation Leader Allison Glover ’28 finds her place and her purpose at W&L.

Amanda Minix
November 17, 2025

“I fell in love with W&L because of its small class sizes, dedicated alumni network, and outstanding faculty. Not to mention, W&L’s generous financial aid allowed me to take advantage of an opportunity I never thought was possible.” – Allison Glover ’28

Allison Glover ’28 did not have a high school counselor to help her research colleges. Most of her peers did not plan to go to college, and her parents did not attend, so she turned to video tutorials that gave advice on the search process and formatting a college application. With a desire to attend law school in the future, she focused on nationally ranked liberal arts colleges that prepared students well for legal education. “I fell in love with W&L because of its small class sizes, dedi­cated alumni network, and outstanding faculty,” Glover said. “Not to mention, W&L’s generous financial aid allowed me to take advantage of an opportunity I never thought was possible.”

Glover’s first year came with typical college adjust­ment challenges, but she felt they were magnified by her background. Growing up in a rural town in Southeastern Ohio that borders West Virginia, she attended a public high school that did not promote elite institutions. “My background is not shared by most of my W&L peers, so initially I felt isolated by my socioeconomic status,” she said. “(Growing up) I did not have access to the same opportunities they had, and I felt out of place.” Professors saw her potential and fostered a sense of belonging. “They encouraged me to maintain my work ethic, even if it felt like I had to work harder than everyone else just to catch up, and, more importantly, they restored my confidence,” Glover said. “I quickly learned that W&L is a place of opportunity, and I can accomplish anything with the help of my professors and our generous resources.”

Glover joined a number of campus organi­zations including College Democrats, Pre-Law Society, the First-Year Orientation Committee, and the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity. She volunteered at Central Elementary School and worked with kindergartners and first graders. Passionate about eliminating inequalities, her favorite classes were Race, Gender, and the Prison Industrial Complex and the introduc­tory class for the poverty studies minor. She plans to major in politics and minor in poverty and human capability studies.

This summer, Glover interned with Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio on the fair housing team. The organization provides free civil legal aid to people with low incomes. “Growing up in Appalachia taught me that if I wanted to achieve some­thing, I had to be resourceful, creative, and work harder than those around me,” Glover said. “I know firsthand how hard it is to navigate a system that is not designed for people like me. I want to learn more about solutions to social, economic, and educational inequalities. By the end of my time at W&L, I aspire to become an advocate for people who feel left behind by our current system.”

“Leading a life of consequence means clearing a path of opportunity for people like me to achieve above and beyond what society expects from us.” – Allison Glover ’28

Driven and purposeful, Glover is deeply grateful for her W&L experience and is deter­mined to make a difference in society. “Leading a life of consequence means clearing a path of opportunity for people like me to achieve above and beyond what society expects from us,” she said. “W&L has opened doors that I didn’t even think existed for a girl from a small town in rural Appalachia.”