Astronomy professor proves first-generation students can reach the stars

In 2025, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Dr. Renee Ludlam made headlines for capturing the clearest-ever view of matter whipping around a neutron star.

Ten years before, she was one of the first two graduates from Wayne State University's bachelor of arts in astronomy program. She also earned a bachelor of science in physics. Diplomas in hand, she walked off the commencement stage to celebrate with her proud parents. Though they did not attend college, they had worked hard supporting their four children, who all succeeded as first-generation college students.

Ludlam's meteoric rise as a researcher exemplifies how Wayne State combines access and excellence unlike anywhere else, giving students, regardless of starting point, the opportunity to achieve anything they imagine.

From 2019-22, Ludlam was an Einstein Fellow within the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program at the California Institute of Technology, the top-ranked university for space science according to U.S. News & World Report. In 2023, the American Astronomical Society awarded her the Newton Lacy Pierce Prize for exceptional early-career astronomers. She is part of multiple NASA mission working groups and serves as secretary of the High Energy Astrophysics Division.

Dispelling any myth that expensive universities are the only path to enriching careers, Ludlam said, "I fully believe that if you work hard, Wayne State opens doors to world-class opportunities as well as, if not better than, any other university. We also have unique advantages, including the smaller class sizes and support from faculty members, that can take you further."

"Look at me; I was able to fly through my career," Ludlam added. "As one of our very first graduates, the program did not have name recognition at all, but I had great offers for grad school and went on to get my Ph.D. in four years at the University of Michigan - that's not typical speed, but I felt like I had something to prove, and I did."

As Ludlam discovered, Wayne State is an engine for social mobility and opportunity. This fall, the university welcomed its largest-ever first-year class of 7,000 students, approximately half of whom are first-generation college students.

Nov. 8 marks National First-Generation College Student Day, a reminder of the unique challenges first-gen students face, including financial hardships, mental health concerns and biases. Opportunities such as the FAFSA that may be common knowledge for students whose parents attended college, may be less apparent to those who did not.

Ludlam said her personal understanding of the distinct challenges first-gen and Wayne State students encounter was a leading reason she returned to Wayne State as a faculty member in 2022. As astronomy undergraduate program coordinator, she provides career information and advice in emails and flexible office hours.

"Wayne State was foundational to my career and so critical to getting into grad school and my subsequent success after that," Ludlam said. "I wanted to return and show students, especially first-gen students, 'I was where you are, and I will help you succeed.'"

After college recruiters visited her high school, Dearborn Edsel Ford, Ludlam prioritized affordability and proximity in her decision-making. The lifelong space lover chose Wayne State and received a merit-based scholarship but was unaware of the newly established astronomy program.

"I almost majored in physical therapy," Ludlam said. "Brand new on campus in 2010, I was walking across FestiFall looking for the physical therapy program booth when an astronomy booth caught my eye. I immediately walked over and thought, 'Nope, this is it.'"

The exchange was one of many Wayne State experiences that shaped her life.

As an undergraduate, Ludlam helped coordinate a Society of Physics Students conference that welcomed students and faculty from other universities into Old Main. Inside the Wayne State Planetarium, she overcame her aversion to public speaking, delivering a presentation about active galactic nuclei.

"I was terrified of presenting research, but one of my close friends who spoke the year before encouraged me persistently," Ludlam said. "At Wayne State, you can find a community to support you as you overcome your fears. Bravery is standing in the face of fear and doing it anyways. Even now, whenever I'm nervous, I try and move forward."

The most pivotal moment came in 2014, when Wayne State sent her to the Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (CU*iP).

"It was the first time I realized that grad school was an option for my future. Entering that welcoming space and meeting my peers helped me determine what direction I wanted to go," Ludlam said.

"Fast-tracking" her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, Ludlam completed it in 2019. On the way, she served on a panel at CU*iP 2017, hosted at Wayne State.

"It meant a lot to speak to students who were in the same place I had been," Ludlam said. "As I continue doing that in my role now, I remind students to say yes to things.I remember being an undergrad student thinking that talking to professors seemed intimidating, but you can make your own way if you take advantage of resources they offer you."

Wayne State supports first-gen students in many ways, including scholarships and the Wayne State Guarantee, which provides tuition assistance for eligible applicants. Learn more about the impact of making a gift to support student success.