{"id":113414,"date":"2022-11-01T11:00:54","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T16:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.olemiss.edu\/?p=113414"},"modified":"2022-11-01T11:00:44","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T16:00:44","slug":"first-generation-students-to-celebrate-achievements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web20.olemiss.edu\/news\/wordpress\/first-generation-students-to-celebrate-achievements\/","title":{"rendered":"First-Generation Students to Celebrate Achievements"},"content":{"rendered":"
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First-generation students share a meal during 2021 First-Generation College Week at Ole Miss. This year’s observance includes several opportunities for first-gen students to meet, share experiences and learn about resources available to help them succeed at the university. Submitted photo<\/p><\/div>\n

OXFORD, Miss. \u2013 When Julia Peoples enrolled at the University of Mississippi<\/a>, she was the first in her family to go to college. The Puckett native struggled to find the right fit; that was, until she discovered the First-Generation Student Network<\/a> as an upperclassman.<\/p>\n

“The connections were really useful to me as a I worked to complete my law school applications,” the 2021 integrated marketing communications graduate said. “Now as a Yale University law student, I’m working to reach first-generation professional students and spread opportunities and connections further.”<\/p>\n

First-generation students will be center stage at UM during First-Generation College Week, set for Nov. 7-10. The week coincides with the annual national First-Generation College Celebration<\/a> on Nov. 8, and this is the fourth year that Ole Miss has participated in the national observance.<\/p>\n

First-generation students often come from families and environments where higher education might not a priority or family members who did not attend college themselves simply aren’t able to provide needed guidance. The aim of the StudentsFIRST program is to give first-generation students the academic and social support needed to be successful.<\/p>\n

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Andy Flores (right), co-founder and president of the UM First-Generation Student Network, addresses participants during the 2021 First-Generation College Week kickoff event. Flores is one of the university’s 2022 Truman Scholars. Submitted photo<\/p><\/div>\n

More than 130 students make up the First-Generation Student Network. About 30 students are participating in the StudentsFIRST section of the EDHE 105: Freshman Year Experience course, which aims to get students connected to one other and to various campus resources.<\/p>\n

“Being one of the first in college from my family opens the door to a number of opportunities, many of which have been uncommon in my particular case,” said Savannah White, a junior biology major from Hattiesburg.<\/p>\n

“Unlike many in my family, I have been able to obtain glimpses into the career I am pursuing through my connections, which, in turn, may ease the stress of adjustment when I begin my career.”<\/p>\n

All activities will be in-person. The featured events include:<\/p>\n