First-generation students are estimated by Institutional Marketing and Admissions to make up around 30-40% of students on campus. These students have faced a wide variety of challenges both at UW and across the country. Coming this next week, there will be a wide variety of events to support, inform, and celebrate these students on campus. With UW’s TRIO programs, (originally a series of three programs to increase access to higher education by the federal Department of Education), being some of the oldest in the country, Haley McKain, SEO Project Coordinator, says that these events are something to celebrate here at UWYO.
First-generation students have often had trouble finding a place on college campuses. They are non-traditional in theory and yet are often excluded from this classification. They are often the same age as their peers but come from different backgrounds due to their parents not having attended college.
These students strive to work their way through college often without the initial information and support many non-first-generation students have. Events like the ones for First-Generation Students Week strive to keep these students engaged and help show them that there are many students who are like them or support them in their goals.
These events include the SEO event- National First-Generation College Student Day, featuring a “conference-style networking event with presentations happening throughout the day from first-generation faculty, staff, and campus administrators.” Followed by a Campus Resources Scavenger Hunt taking place on November 5th, 6th, and 7th. There will be giveaways at both events to encourage attendance as November 8th is National First-Generation Celebration Day.
These events are put on by a variety of participating departments and colleges encompassing much of the UW campus. These different entities all pursue the common goal of engaging First-Generation students while also helping inform them about the services provided by different offices on campus. More information can be found on the UWYO First-Generation Celebration Day page.
