November 8th is First-Generation College Celebration Day, sponsored by the Center for First-Generation Student Success. From their website:
“Since 2017, institutions, corporations, non-profits, and K-12 schools from across the nation have celebrated first-generation students, faculty, staff, and alumni on November 8 and highlighted the important contributions they make within their communities.”
“Join us in advancing an asset-based national narrative on first-generation student experiences and outcomes. Use November 8 to encourage your communities to better understand the systemic barriers plaguing higher education and the supports necessary for this important and resilient population to continue thriving.”
“November 8 was selected as the date…to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965…Much like other hallmark legislation of that era, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, HEA was intended to help level a playing field that for too long had been weighed against Americans from minority and low-income backgrounds…Additionally, HEA ushered in programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, necessary for post-secondary access, retention, and completion for low-income, potential first-generation college graduates.”
The library has a book display up honoring authors and other accomplished individuals who were in the first generation in their family to go to college. You can see the list of books included here. Of course this is just a tiny sampling of the achievements of this resilient and persistent segment of the college graduate population.
