Drew celebrated the achievements of its first-generation students through First-Gen Day, an event that filled Brothers College Lobby with resources, treats and balloons. DrewFIRST and the Center for Mentoring and Professional Networks recognized and celebrated first-generation students from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 2, though First-Gen Day is typically held on Nov. 8.
Professor G. Scott Morgan, chair of the psychology department and a faculty advisor for DrewFIRST, attended the event, offering donuts, cupcakes and other snacks to the students. As a first-gen student himself, Morgan spoke to his experience.
“What defines a first-generation college student is that they are navigating college without the benefit of family members being familiar with the experience. They are figuring out college on their own, forging a path their family had not ever traveled before them,” said Morgan.
Morgan highlighted DrewFIRST as providing valuable support to Drew’s first-gen students. “DrewFIRST advocates and supports first-generation students. It also creates an environment for first-gen students to get to know each other and share their experiences,” said Morgan.
Benjamin Castro (‘25), a member of DrewFIRST, said, “The objective of First-Gen Day is to celebrate all first-generation college students. These students are the first in their families to go to college and it is difficult for them to start their college journey.”
Castro said, “We are giving first-gen students snacks and providing resources,” to celebrate First-Gen Day. Among these resources were tables from DrewFirst, The Center for Mentoring and Professional Networks and America Needs You, as well as financial aid and registration advisors to talk to.
Carol Bassie, director of the Center for Mentoring and Professional Networks, said, “First-gen students, as the first in their families to go to college, come in with unique needs, and so the objective is to support them with resources and ideas.”
The Center for Mentoring and Professional Networks offers resources that all students can utilize. Bassie explained that one way the center supports first-gen students is that “[they] set up mentoring and one-on-one conversations with alumni so students can talk to someone who has had similar experiences.” Bassie also mentioned that “the Career Center can help with resumes, cover letters [and] interview skills.”
A representative from America Needs You provided information about their Fellows Program at the event. According to americaneedsyou.org, “The Fellows Program is a two-year program that empowers low-income, first-generation college students with the tools they need to graduate college, succeed in their careers, and compete at the highest level by providing one-on-one mentorship, intense career development, robust networks, and holistic support.”
In addition to providing these resources, the event also increased the visibility of first-gen college students attending Drew. “Awareness that first-generation students’ families don’t have the experience with college that other students’ families might, and to be aware that students come from different backgrounds is important,” said Castro.
Morgan also spoke to the importance of recognizing first-gen students. “Most moving to me, this year at graduation, when they were recognizing groups of students, and they asked first-gen college students to stand. That was a really important moment,” said Morgan. “There are more students and faculty on campus that are and were first-generation students than people appreciate.”
Katie Carmichael is a junior majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing and minoring in education.
Featured image courtesy of Katie Carmichael.
