Within the higher education sector, Nov. 8 marked the annual celebration for first-generation students earning their postsecondary degrees.
During the 2015-16 academic year, 56% of undergraduates nationally were first-generation college students with neither parent holding a bachelor’s degree, according to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).
National First-Generation College Celebration was established in 2017 by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the Center for First-Generation Student Success, a NASPA initiative.
The date honors the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965’s signing anniversary. Aside from offering financial assistance, Federal TRIO programs were established as part of HEA to support and offer resources to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We began to recognize that first-generation students were not seen on many campuses as the asset that they really are,” said Maureen Hoyler, president of COE. “Although TRIO students make up only a limited percentage of first-generation students, we have an obligation to increase retention and graduation and inclusion on campus of all the eligible students, including all the first-generation students.”
Six years after first entering postsecondary education, 56% of first-generation college students had not earned any postsecondary credential, NASPA reported.
As part of the celebration, COE and The Center partnered to host two events. One was student-centered, which featured a virtual party-like atmosphere with music, trivia and games. The other included speeches and a panel discussion focused on the definition and history of first-generation students.
