First-Gen Week 2024 at CSUMB highlights support

By Walter Ryce 

When a high school student doesn’t have family members who are college graduates who can provide advice and guidance, it’s harder to navigate the college world.

The Federal TRIO programs of the Higher Education Act of 1965 help fill in those gaps for such first-generation college students, as well as disabled students, veterans or those with limited incomes. 

According to Jessica Sierra, retention advisor for Cal State Monterey Bay’s TRIO Student Support Services, such students face extra challenges. 

“Because first-gen students are new to higher education, there is a network and knowledge that they need to build,” Sierra said. “Having to navigate an environment with new and unknown vocabulary and expectations, hidden curriculum, and adapt to the campus culture, makes participating in high-impact practices, like education abroad and research, a bit more challenging.”

She adds that, in addition, some have to balance classes, work, finances or family obligations, all while figuring out how to pay for college and fighting against imposter syndrome.  

First-Gen Week, which runs Nov. 2-9, commemorates the Nov. 8, 1965, signing of the HEA, and is intended to bring more attention to those populations that might need extra support to succeed in college. 

“It helps celebrate the barriers students overcome…and it also celebrates how resilient our first-gen students are – some navigate college all on their own,” Sierra said. 

CSUMB is part of a nationwide network as a First-Gen Forward Institution, and has other support systems in place such as the Educational Opportunity Program, Guardian Scholars, College Assistance Migrant Program and Project Rebound that, altogether, help about 1,000 students. 

In addition to the university support, there are accomplished faculty and staff who were once first-gen students themselves and are attuned to the particular experiences and needs of such students. 

“When I arrived at college, I was so scared,” writes Marylou Shockely, who is now CSUMB’s interim dean of the College of Business. “I thought everyone was smarter than I was.  I began to relax more as I got into the routine of going to classes. It was a confidence booster…to learn concepts that were so mind-expanding.”

She advises new first-gen college students to take advantage of professors’ office hours for extra guidance or support. 

Maddison Burton, interim associate executive director for University Corporation, suggests seizing every opportunity. 

“I ended up studying abroad in Colombia because I stumbled upon a meeting, accidentally, in the library talking about scholarships to study abroad. I applied and four months later I was on a flight to Colombia,” Burton said. “Stay curious, ask questions, and believe in yourself.”

In commemoration of First-Gen Week, during this week’s Otter Thursday celebration at the Otter Student Union, CSUMB’s TRIO Student Support Services team is hosting a First-Gen Student Celebration from noon - 1:15 p.m. College support programs will also be tabling.

Then, First-Generation College Day will be highlighted on Friday, Nov. 8, from noon to 2 p.m. in Room 1176 at the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library. This event will feature engaging activities, a chance to express what being first-gen means to students and an opportunity to hear from first-gen alumni during a panel session.

Nearly half of CSUMB’s students are the first in their families to attend college. But that status — and accompanying help — can change in a single generation, as former first-gen student Maddison Burton attests:   

“With my lessons learned, I was able to help my younger sister through her college journey and work with students, just like my former self, who seek support navigating their way through.”

Learn more at Student Affairs’ First-Gen web page. Faculty and staff are invited to join the First-Generation Faculty and Staff Directory.