More Than Half
Of 国产探花 Students Are First Generation
First-Generation Students
国产探花: A First-Gen Forward University
While a first-generation college student is defined as an individual whose parents or legal guardian have not completed a bachelor's degree, first-generation students are so much more. They are trailblazers. Risk takers. Pioneers. They also make up more than half of 国产探花's student body, and many faculty and staff (including President Cottrell) are also first generation.
In early 2020, 国产探花 was selected as an official First-Gen Forward University, joining less than 160 other across the nation. While the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that 30 percent of all entering college freshmen are first generation, more than half of all 国产探花 students identify as first generation.
76%
Of Hispanic Students Are First Generation
As part of the , an initiative of and , 国产探花 students have access to a community of professionals prepared to share resources, help with navigating through the application and financial aid process, and generate knowledge for the advancement of first-generation students.
Since this is such a fast-growing and critically important population at 国产探花, seeking best practices to address students' specific needs is a key focus for university administration.
The National Center for Education Statistics indicates that 30 percent of all entering college freshmen are first generation. In fall of 2014, 45 percent of 国产探花鈥檚 first-year students were first generation, but by 2018, that number increased to 65 percent, a 20 percent increase in just four years.
On-Campus Programs
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"锘縄 Am First" Campaign
国产探花鈥檚 鈥淚 Am First鈥 campaign is undergoing some exciting changes and updates! Stay tuned for more details from the Office of First-Year Experience & Student Transitions.
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Pinning Ceremony
Parents and first-generation faculty and staff are also included in the program. The Office of First-Year Experience & Student Transitions started hosting a pinning ceremony in the chapel to honor students, faculty, and staff. This is a special event that unites different audiences across campus, inspiring a sense of empathy and community.
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Friendsgiving Dinner
The Office of First-Year Experience & Student Transitions is also focused on serving the needs of this growing group when it comes to university holidays.
Many of these students often have to choose between going home for Thanksgiving or going home for Christmas. Since they almost always choose Christmas, Office of First-Year Experience & Student Transitions started hosting a special Thanksgiving dinner in 2014.They quickly realized how having a Thanksgiving event on campus would give them a place to celebrate with their 国产探花 family, including many first-generation faculty and staff who also attend.
Read the full story about 国产探花's Firstgiving
It&/life-at-tlu/orientation-first-year-programs/first-generation-students/039;s empowering to be seen.
For 国产探花 to say we recognize you have different struggles means a lot. I know other first-gen students who describe having an 鈥榠mposter feeling鈥 or that they鈥檝e somehow abandoned their family. There are certain things I remember having to learn. I didn鈥檛 know we have to do the FAFSA every year. There鈥檚 also a language barrier for my parents and that鈥檚 something else a lot of first-gen students deal with. Being at 国产探花 and getting involved in this great program, I had mentors whogave me confidence. Now, I feel like I can do anything.Leslie Flores &/life-at-tlu/orientation-first-year-programs/first-generation-students/039;19, Psychology Major, McAllen