First-Generation College Celebration Day is Nov. 8
Nov. 8 is First-Generation College Celebration Day, an opportunity to lift up college students and graduates who are the first in their family to go to college. The event is held on this date annually to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which promotes postsecondary access and completion for our nation’s more than 8 million first-gen students.
Did you know? This semester, 38.8% of MSUM undergraduate students and 29.7% of graduate students are first generation!
In honor of First-Generation College Celebration Day, we are sharing two stories of first-generation students finding success thanks to their experiences at MSUM.
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Current student Angel Fuentes has approached her college journey one step at a time. Her next step will be across the commencement stage in May. Angel previously shared the expectations she felt as a first-generation student. Now as she prepares to graduate, she reflects on her experiences and future plans.
As a first-generation student and the oldest in his family, MSUM psychology alumnus Jason Nicolas didn’t have someone in his life to guide him through the college experience. His relationships with faculty at Minnesota State University Moorhead provided the mentorship and career guidance he desperately needed in his life, something he now gets to be a part of in others’ lives as the director of institutional research at Northern Michigan University.
To celebrate, you can also watch this video from FirstGenForward and post your own #CelebrateFirstGen story on social media.