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Social-Impact

Week-Long Celebration to Honor First-Generation College Students

Celebrating the unique challenges and contributions of first-generation college students, faculty and staff.

October 28, 2024 | Media Contact: Deanna Herbert, deanna.herbert@unco.edu, 970-351-1763

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is hosting a week-long series of events for First-Generation College Celebration Day to recognize the trailblazing students, faculty and staff who are the first in their families to earn a college degree.

Started in 2017 by the Council for Opportunity in Education and FirstGen Forward (formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success), the celebration lands on Nov. 8 every year. The date commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded access to higher education for low-income and first-generation students. With more than 40% of UNC's undergraduates identifying as first-generation college students, the university offers dedicated programs and resources to promote their success.

"Navigating college as a first-generation student often means facing unique barriers, like understanding complex systems, finding resources or simply feeling a sense of belonging,” said Flora Powells, M.A., director of UNC’s Center for Human Enrichment (CHE), a TRiO Student Support Services Program.

“Through TRIO programs like CHE, I was able to experience the power of a committed support system that helped me open doors I didn't even know existed,” continued Powells. “UNC and CHE are committed to first-generation student success by providing guidance, community, and students with the tools they need to thrive on campus."

RELATED: First-Generation Graduates Look Back at Their Trailblazing Journeys

As a new member of the 2024 FirstGen Forward Network, UNC is ramping up efforts for this year’s celebration, kicking off a week-long series of programming and events on Monday, Nov. 4, to celebrate the unique challenges and contributions of first-generation students, faculty and staff.

Departments from across the university are participating in this year’s celebration, hosting listening panels showcasing first-generation student success, celebration lunches and a career panel for first-generation alumni. Several promotional activities and materials will also be on display to show support for the university’s first-generation faculty, staff and students.

2024 First-Generation College Celebration Events
Monday, Nov. 4
- UNC’s First-Generation Celebration kicks off with promotional efforts across campus. Check out unco.edu/first-gen for opportunities to show support and learn more about the resources and programs UNC offers to first-generation college students.
Tuesday, Nov. 5
- - 11 a.m. to noon — Stories of First-Generation College Student Success: A Faculty and Student Panel. A virtual event for faculty co-sponsored by the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning and Division of Student Academic Success. Learn about strategies for supporting first-generation college students in your classes. Register online.
  - Noon to 1 p.m. — Celebration lunch at Holmes Dining Hall for first-generation college students. RSVP required; students who identify as a first-generation college student should check their BearMail on Monday, Nov. 4, for an email invitation and link to register.
Wednesday, Nov. 6
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Celebration lunch at Holmes Dining Hall for first-generation college students. RSVP required; students who identify as a first-generation college student should check their BearMail on Monday, Nov. 4, for an email invitation and link to register.
- 2 – 3 p.m. — Listen & Learn Session: First Generation Student Success for undergraduate advisors. This virtual event is sponsored by the Professional Advisor Network. Email Mikay Elliott (mikay.elliott@unco.edu) for a Teams link to participate.
- 5 – 6:30 p.m. — Explore Career Connections: First-Generation Alumni, University Center Spruce Suites. Hear from first-generation alumni about their career experiences. Light refreshments provided.
Thursday, Nov. 7
- 1 – 2 p.m. — Student Advising Celebration. This event is for academic advisors who support first-generation college students. Help recognize and celebrate the dedication and impact of advisors in helping these students succeed. Share stories, explore new strategies and build a stronger community. This event is in the CETL classroom, no reservations required.
- 6 p.m. — UNC Volleyball vs. Sacramento State. The university will recognize first-generation student-athletes during intermission of the games. Approximately 23% of UNC’s student-athletes identify as first-generation.
Friday, Nov. 8 — National First-Generation College Student Celebration Day!
- Faculty and staff will be around campus handing out promotional materials (signs, stickers, buttons, etc.) to show support and celebrate UNC's first-generation college students.

The university is also launching their first District 6 and UNC First-Generation Initiative this year. Staff will be at D6 Online, Greeley Central, Greeley West, Jefferson and Northridge high schools throughout the week handing out I’m First t-shirts to local junior and senior high school students participating in first-generation programming and services.

According to Pete Lien, associate vice president of Enrollment Services, celebrating future first-generation college students in local high schools can influence students’ academic and personal growth and strengthen community relations. It also aligns with UNC’s mission of increasing educational access and opportunity.

“As an active part of this community, we have a responsibility to create a college going culture with our local first-generation students, regardless of whether the choose to enroll at UNC or somewhere else.”

UNC Regonized as FirstGen Forward Network Member

UNC's First-Gen Students are Highly Involved and Engaged

Percent of first-gen students represented in the following programs:

Soar — 60%

Stryker Institute for Leadership Development — 90%

Student-athletes — 23%

LEAP Scholars — 100%

McNair Scholars — 95%

Reisher Scholars — 73%

Center for Urban Education students — 93%

CHE/SSS — 100%

Enroll in University 101 — 50%

UNC's Honors Program — 50%

Undergraduate Research Mentoring summer program — 66%

Cumbres — 67%

Education Abroad — 50%

This year’s expanded programming supports UNC’s recent selection as a member of the 2024 FirstGen Forward Network. To become a member, institutions have to demonstrate a commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students.

“Being named as a Network Member in the FirstGen Forward Network is an exciting opportunity for UNC to join a dedicated community of professionals prepared to share evidence-based practices and resources, troubleshoot challenges, generate knowledge, and continue to advance the success of first-generation students across the country,” said Maurice Jones, CEO of FirstGen Forward. “We are excited to see a groundswell of activity from the Class of 2024 Network Members and know UNC will be a significant contributor.”

UNC has a long history of providing programs and services to ensure that first-generation students receive the financial, social and learning support they need to be successful. This includes UNC’s First-Generation Student Scholarship and other scholarship programs that offer wrap-around services such as the Stryker Institute for Leadership Development, Reisher Scholarship Program and TRIO programs. It also includes programs that enhance sense of belonging such as living-learning communities and applied learning opportunities, as well as mentoring programs and UNC’s first-year seminar, University 101.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to learn and employ new ways to scale practices that are effective in serving first-generation students,” said Jenna Finley, Ed.D., associate vice president of Student Affairs. “We’ll also benefit from shared best practices as we engage with peer institutions doing this same kind of work. As a new Hispanic Serving Institution, this will be particularly helpful as we investigate more ways to serve our first-generation, Hispanic and Latine-identifying students.”

Visit UNC's first-generation college student website:

Being Proud of Being First

First-Gen Student Resources and Programs

Center for Human Enrichment Student Support Services

UNC’s Center for Human Enrichment Student Support Services (CHE) offers comprehensive services to support the academic, professional and personal success of first-gen students. The program, known by the shortened name of Student Support Services, is one of eight federal TRiO programs. It serves approximately 200 students, accepting 60-70 new students each year, who identify as first-gen and meet federal income guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Education. The program strives to retain and graduate first-gen college students.

Soar Program

Drawing on nearly five decades of data-driven insight, UNC’s Soar advising program expands the remarkable successes of the Center for Human Enrichment’s TRiO/Student Support Services (SSS) program. Soar takes flight, providing proactive academic advising and success coaching to a diverse range of students, with programming for Bears First, First Generation, Independent Youth, Denver Scholarship Foundation, and those exploring their academic major path.

First-Generation Scholarship

UNC’s First Generation Scholarship is awarded to first-gen students demonstrating financial need. Completion of the UNC Scholarship Application is the only requirement to be considered for this scholarship. Thanks to generous donor support, the university has awarded 156 students more than $161,450 with this scholarship since 2018-19. During that time, 567 people have donated to the First-Generation scholarship. It's one of many scholarships available at UNC that supports first-gen students.

Stryker Institute for Leadership Development

The Stryker Institute for Leadership Development serves women from underrepresented groups; approximately 90% of whom identify as first-generation students. The Stryker program gives students a full tuition financial scholarship that significantly helps alleviate the financial barriers that many of them experience. The program also allows students the opportunity to attend workshops that focus on identity development, social justice, leadership and mentorship. Through the workshop experience and cohort model, students build a strong sense of community and support.

Learning Through Engaging and Authentic Practices Scholars

Learning Through Engaging and Authentic Practices (LEAP) Scholars are first-gen biology or chemistry majors who aspire to become medical professionals. The LEAP Scholars program supports students, many of whom identify as students of color or are Pell grant recipients, in addition to being first-gen. The program employs high-impact practices that positively shape student success and offers academic and social support through a small network of advisors, faculty and near-peer mentors.

Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a federally funded undergraduate TRiO program serving first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students. It is designed to provide undergraduate students with effective preparation for graduate-level study through research and scholarly activities, summer internships, seminars and workshops, mentoring, and assistance navigating graduate school admission processes.

Reisher Scholars Program

The Reisher Scholars Program awards scholarships to Colorado students based on demonstrated financial need and academic merit. The program, which focuses on rising college sophomores and transfer students from community colleges, seeks to help promising Colorado students earn their undergraduate degrees without incurring additional educational debt. It has been successful with student scholars earning higher GPAs, being retained and graduating at a higher rates than the general student population. The results show no achievement gaps for first gen and underrepresented minority students.