A group of 25 Stan State first-generation students gathered in the Diversity Center on Sept. 6 to begin a series of seminars designed to foster the development of student identity and a sense of belonging.
The program, called First-Gen Fridays, will meet on the first Friday of every month classes are in session during the academic year, with the first gathering dedicated to introducing the students to the program, as well as time for the cohort to get acquainted with each other.
First-Gen Fridays is coordinated by the Academic Success Center in collaboration with Psychological Counseling Services. It’s sponsored by a mini-grant from High-Impact Practices (part of the first year of co-curricular awards on campus), University Extended Education and University Auxiliary and Business Services.
As the cohort moves through the program, they will be exposed to learning opportunities and how-to seminars navigating the college experience while dealing with the challenges of life on- and off-campus.
The cohort was limited by space to 25 students, but the demand was great enough to warrant a wait list of 45 students. First-Gen Fridays represents one of the newest programs among many long-standing programs designed to provide wrap-around student support services.
In addition to Stan State’s program, a National First-Generation College Student Celebration is being planned for Friday, Nov. 8, and carries the hashtag #CelebrateFirstGen.