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There was a palpable feeling of pride and excitement in and around Delaino Student Center on Nov. 7 as students, faculty, staff, veterans and active-duty military personnel gathered to celebrate First-Generation Day, hosted by TRiO under the leadership of Dr. Debbie Douma, Dean of Grants and Federal Programs and Chandler White, Coordinator of Student Engagement and Leadership in Student Affairs. Outside the building’s back entrance, people talked and laughed while Director of Veterans Student Support Services Dr. John Woods grilled burgers to serve to people inside, assisted by Rob Gregg, Project Director of Veterans Upward Bound, Matt Hebert, Project Director of the Educational Opportunity Center, and the Student Veteran’s Association.
Through the doors, TRiO Recruitment/Retention Specialist Melanie welcomed First-Gen participants at the registration table as they signed in and picked up “I’m First” swag and table visit bingo cards before talking with staff at each station about their various organizations. The TRiO organizations were there (Educational Opportunity Center, Veterans Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, Student Support Services, the Veteran and Military Family Service Center), as well as Pirates Care, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and the PSC Foundation. First-Gen participants enjoyed lunch and complimentary swag while they mingled with students and each other.
Lucky winners of raffle prizes (Krispy Kreme T-shirts, hats, blankets and coffee mugs, as well as a Target gift card) were the following: Samantha Hill. Ken Phillips, Amanda Salter, Elisabeth Stowers, Antoinette Heno, Justine Montalvo, Bobimarie Henderson, Robin Michelle-Kuhl, Tracy Hunter, Deondrea Patterson and Katelyn White.
All are encouraged to stop by Chadbourne Library on the Pensacola Campus to check out the amazing First-Generation display created by library staff members Lisa-Marie, Patrick and Linda that features various staff and faculty, as well as books highlighting first-generation issues. All these efforts coincide with National First-Generation College Celebration Day, which occurs on Nov. 8 every year.
Director of TRiO Student Support Services and event coordinator Marcy Matthews-Bethea thanked all who attended to make the event a success and said, “During the 2023-2024 academic year over 41% of PSC students identified as first-generation. Those students walk through our offices and into our classrooms every single day, and the challenges that those students may face are immense. Those of us who walked that journey decades ago or even this past semester recognize how monumental being the first to complete college is to us, our families and those we influence.”
To learn more First-Gen facts and information, check out the First-Gen Forward website at www.firstgen.naspa.org.