First-Gen Week recognizes educational pioneers

By Mark Muckenfuss

Jessica Sierra remembers what it was like as a first-generation college student when she arrived at Cal State Monterey Bay over a decade ago.

“It was hard,” she said. “I didn’t know the campus culture, the ins and outs and how to approach my instructors. That can be a barrier for people who want to be stellar students.”

Now a program advisor for CSUMB’s TRIO Student Support Services, Sierra is overseeing the organization of this year’s events for First-Gen Week, Nov. 3-8. Through a mix of social media shoutouts and in-person events, the five-day recognition celebrates and provides support to first-generation students, those educational pioneers who account for 49% of the Otter population.

“Actually recognizing first-generation students and having it be a part of the tradition that our campus recognizes, it lets those students know they’re not alone,” Sierra said.

One of the biggest barriers to success that she sees such students facing is financial issues, including financial aid. In light of that, and in response to a student survey, Sierra said, a financial literacy workshop will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4. 

“The workshop is for students to better understand credit and how that is part of their financial health,” she said. “Essentially, what is credit, how to build it and maintain it and, if things go wrong, how to build it back up.”

Also on Tuesday, the Personal Growth and Counseling Center will offer the last in a series of workshops geared toward first-generation student issues.

Other events include a mixer at the Otter Express, a resource walkabout and a “platica” at El Centro. Here is the complete list of activities:

• Monday, Nov. 3: First-Generation student highlights posting on Instagram
• Tuesday, Nov. 4: Financial literacy workshop, noon to 1 p.m., Otter Student Union, Room 310; First-Gen Proud workshop, 1-2 p.m., PGCC
• Wednesday, Nov. 5: First-Gen Resource Walkabout from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Participants will receive a passport to visit all the campus partners and affinity centers and qualify for a raffle prize
• Thursday, Nov. 6: Otter Thursday’s First-Gen Celebration edition and Alumni Mixer, 5-7 p.m. at Otter Express (time is tentative) 
• Friday, Nov. 7: First-Gen Platica – a conversation about what it means to be a first-generation student. Hosted by El Centro from noon to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 8: First-Generation College Celebration Day highlights on Instagram

Sierra said the investment in recognizing and supporting first-generation students is worth it. 

“Our students are resilient,” she said. “Even with all the barriers, they find a way.”