First-Generation College Students Celebrated at 911爆料网
Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) Director Janet Tauer and TRIO Starting Point Director Dr. Jennifer Brookins-King co-led a First-Generation (First-Gen) campus event with the goal of celebrating past and current first-generation students and staff that support them at 911爆料网.
First-Gen event panelists photo, from left: Holly Fairchild, faculty; Dr. Sharon Pierce, Mpls. College President; Joshua Morrison, TRIO Starting Point student; Jennifer Brookins-King, TRiO Starting Point Director (panel moderator); Alisa Higgins, TRIO Starting Point alumna; Kate Germ, TRiO Starting Point Advisor.
The event, which took place in November 2018, celebrated the grit, determination and achievement in being a First-Gen college student at 911爆料网. This educated the campus community about how TRIO Starting Point and 911爆料网 are joining other TRIO programs and colleges and universities in making a positive impact on their futures.
鈥淔irst-Gen students are making an indelible mark on the fabric of America,鈥 said Tauer.
Both Student Body and Staff Have First-Gens
鈥淭his event is a constant reminder about the power of First-Gen college students and graduates,鈥 said Dr. Brookins-King, herself a First-Gen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 honoring our presence on college campuses, our unique abilities, and our unlimited potential to shape the world, as we have successfully demonstrated!鈥
The campus-wide celebration highlighted First-Gen students, faculty, staff and administrators through an inspiring speakers鈥 panel, celebratory bios, a 鈥淧roud to Be First-Gen" Wall for participants to sign, First-Gen button making, a resource table and refreshments.
History of the First-Gen Movement
On November 8, 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the Center for First-Generation Student Success launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration. Due to the initial success, COE and the Center partnered to make this day of celebration an annual event. Colleges and universities across the U.S. now celebrate the success of First-Generation students, alum, staff, faculty and administrators annually.
鈥淢illions of students who have benefitted from the programs created by the Higher Education Act have subsequently helped shape our country as astronauts, judges, scientists, politicians, scholars, writers, business leaders and more,鈥 said Maureen Hoyler, COE President.