News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Southern Illinois University Carbondale are joining in the national celebration by hosting a multi-day event today-Thursday, Nov. 11 to recognize first-generation students and honor their contributions to our community. 

In this year’s annual celebration of the National First-Generation Day on Nov. 8, SIUE and SIUC address several successes and challenges that first-generation students face and how the SIU System can help support them. First-generation students come from families where their biological parents did not complete a four-year college degree. 

“It is our hope to not only tell first-generation students that they belong, but also to show them with our actions,” said Tarsha Moore, assistant director of the Inclusive Excellence, Education and Development Hub (The Hub) and First-Generation Celebration co-coordinator with Lanel Love, PhD, SIU assistant dean of students and director of the Saluki Center. “We recognize that like many college students, first-gen students struggle with getting acclimated to college and building a sense of belonging.” 

“However, we should also recognize and affirm them for the amazing value they add to this campus, their families and to our community,” added Moore, a first-generation student who is a double SIUE alumna. “They are building a legacy for themselves and future generations and their perseverance should be celebrated.” 

“The first-generation college celebration is another example of SIU’s longstanding tradition of access and opportunity,” said Love, an SIU double alumna and first-generation college graduate. “Our goal is to provide the support, access and services our Salukis need in order to help them succeed.” 

Darryl Cherry, coordinator of Student Retention in SIUE’s Office of Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR), provided some background on National First-Generation Day. 

In 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ (NASPA) Center for First-Generation Student Success launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration, noted Cherry, also a first-generation student. 

“The First-Generation Celebration highlights the return on investment our country receives from providing first-generation students with an opportunity to reach their full potential through college,” he added. “The Celebration also raises awareness and celebrates the accomplishment of first-generation administration, faculty, staff, alumni and students.” 

 “SIUC and SIUE have joined together in these efforts to holistically support our first-generation students by offering a week of programming that will hopefully serve as a steppingstone for more formal curricular and co-curricular engagement opportunities,” explained Moore. “SIUC is currently recognized as a First-Gen Forward institution, an award designated by NASPA. SIUE aspires to achieve that recognition as well.” 

Programming this week involves both campuses offering networking events to provide an opportunity for first-generation students to connect with faculty, staff and students. 

“SIUE is also providing a virtual dialogue for first-generation students to engage in critical conversations regarding ongoing challenges they may face on campus,” offered Moore. “These conversations will include topics such as imposter syndrome, self-authorship/self-discovery, first-generation mental health and more.” 

“At the conclusion of the celebration,” said Cherry. “We hope that students will feel recognized, validated, celebrated and encouraged.” 

The events are both in-person and virtual. The remaining schedule is listed below: 

Monday, Nov. 8

Managing Transitions and Stress (virtual)
3-4 p.m.
Visit the link, here
Meeting ID: 839 0355 7343
Passcode: 099764
Sponsor: SIUC

Breaking Down the Barriers: Leadership, Resilience and First-Generation Success (virtual)
Keynote by Lolita L. Mack, MS, EdD
5-6 p.m.
Visit link, here
Sponsor: SIUE and SIUC

Tuesday, Nov. 9

Building Your Network in a Virtual World
3-4 p.m.
Student Services Building, Room 170, Carbondale campus
Sponsor: SIUC

TRIO Study Jam
5-7 p.m.
Student Services Building 150/160, Carbondale Campus
Sponsor: SIUC

Wednesday, Nov. 10

Creating Career Connections (networking event)
4-6 p.m.
MUC Oak/Redbud Room, Edwardsville campus
Registration link, here
Sponsor: SIUE

Thursday, Nov. 11

Coming Together – A dialogue about the experiences of First-Generation students, faculty and staff
1-2 p.m.
Register here
Sponsor: SIUE

Photos:
(L-R): First-generation students Tarsha Moore, assistant director of the Inclusive Excellence, Education and Development Hub (The Hub) and event co-coordinator; Lanel Love, PhD, SIU assistant dean of students, director of the Saluki Center and event co-coordinator; and Darryl Cherry, Coordinator of Student Retention in SIUE’s Office of Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR).