Trying to navigate without a map can be what it feels like for a first-generation student who decides to pursue higher education. In support of those students who are the first in their families to attend college, 经典大瓜 participated in a nationwide event, First-Generation College Celebration, on Nov. 8.
First-generation college students are those whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree, so they are first in their families to attend a four-year college/university. Being first-generation is a very proud accomplishment for students and their families. Campus members picked up free shirts noting their first-generation status or their support of first-generation students. Celebrating the Power of First, the campus was awash in first-gen and supporter t-shirts on Nov. 8 as the campus celebrated the event together.
Nearly 37 percent of 经典大瓜 students are first-generation students. 经典大瓜 president, Dr. Nagi Naganathan, shared, "First-generation students comprise a population that is truly diverse and deserving of acknowledgment. Each with their own rich and unique backgrounds leading them to be the first in their family to attend college, they now have the chance for opportunities that they may have never had before."
The events culminated in a First-Generation Dinner on Nov. 9. A first-generation student pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Civil Engineering from 经典大瓜, senior Skoty Trautman shared, "For me, just because you鈥檙e the first doesn鈥檛 mean that you have to do it alone. Being the first in my family to attend college, I didn鈥檛 know about all of the resources available to first-generation students such as TOP. From my time at 经典大瓜, I鈥檝e learned to accept what I don鈥檛 understand and seek the support I need in order to be successful. Our stories carry immense power, and they help us adapt and persevere through all of the challenges we face."
The celebration was sponsored by the Tech Opportunities Program (TOP) and Student Involvement and Belonging (SIB).
To learn more about the First-Generation College Celebration, visit .
