Grand Valley State University students celebrated the national First-Generation College Student Celebration from Nov. 4-8 by participating in events hosted by the University’s TRIO program. The events, which were held for a second year at GVSU, encouraged students to celebrate their achievements, and to get to know one another.

First-generation students are students whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. These students make up 38% of GVSU’s undergraduate population. TRIO programs are federal outreach, student service programs designed to provide services to first-generation students. By holding the celebration, TRIO aimed to recognize the hurdles these individuals overcome and to foster community.  According to TRIO’s website, the goal of the event was to “celebrate, acknowledge and learn more about the first-generation college student experience.”

The celebration kicked off on Monday, Nov. 4 with a first-generation encouragement session held in the Russell H. Kirkhof Center. Students were given the chance to share words of encouragement by using the hashtag “#IAmFirst.” Throughout Kirkhof, there were places for students to take photographs and commemorate the occasion.

“Being a first-generation college student means exploring a whole new world of possibilities,” said GVSU student and McNair scholar Louis Cousino. “To me, it means getting to carve out my own path while still recognizing all those who came before me, and honoring how they have impacted me. That’s the most exciting aspect of being first generation, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Telling my family about what I do in college can be challenging since they never had the opportunity to experience what I’m experiencing. Nonetheless, my family’s support means the world to me.”

On Nov. 6, first-generation students mingled over a shared meal in Kirkhof’s Pere Marquette Room. During the luncheon, a panel of guest speakers shared their experiences, and expressed the struggles and triumphs that come with being first generation. The panel included students from TRIO Classic, TRIO STEM, TRIO Teacher Prep and scholars from TRIO McNair. There was also a presentation on the history of the First-Generation College Student Celebration, which was led by TRIO Students Support Services Classic Program Director Gabe Peña.

“We are excited to celebrate first-generation college students, faculty, staff and supporters,” said the Interim Director for the McNair Scholars Program, Dr. LaCretisha McDole.

Nov. 7 was Veterans Day, and according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 62% of veterans are first-generation students. Veterans and their families were invited to join the campus community to celebrate the occasion. TRIO held a Veteran’s Day event as a way to reflect and remember those who have served, and the sacrifices they have made.

The week-long celebration concluded on Nov. 8 with a party for first-generation students, and included a live DJ, food, games and prizes.

“One of the unique aspects of being a first-generation college student is that you bring a fresh perspective to education,” Cousino said. “My parents couldn’t tell me about their experiences taking classes, which meant that I had to experiment and find what worked best for me. Conversations around first-generation college students often involve discussing deficiencies in ‘college knowledge’ and cultural capital, but I would argue that these students have a wealth of knowledge that gets overlooked. First-generation college students work hard to meet the demands of school, work and family life, and their commitment to education is inspiring.”

The National First-Generation College Student Celebration was established in commemoration of the Higher Education Act’s 1945 signing. The federal legislation fostered programs like TRIO that help students from underserved backgrounds and communities. 

In May 2022, the Center for First-generation Student Success recognized GVSU for its commitment to first-generation students. GVSU provides several resources and services to help first-generation students succeed. One such service is The Grand Valley Pledge, which offers free tuition to high school students from Michigan whose families earn less than $50,000. 

“Being the first person you know to experience something can be challenging, but it can also represent something amazing,” Cousino said. “First-generation status means that structural barriers don’t have to hold you back, and that despite the odds, you can succeed. Even getting to college is not something everyone has the opportunity to do. Celebrating first-generation college students means honoring the legacy of your family, while celebrating all you’ve accomplished so far.”