By Breanna Hiett
This week, Vol State will be hosting events to celebrate this year’s First-Generation college students. This will be the second year Vol State will be hosting events during the week of the national celebration. First-Generation students who are the first ones in their family to go to college and obtain a degree.
The definition of a first-generation college student is a student whose parent(s) did not complete a bachelor’s degree and who are resilient, determined, driven, persistent, tenacious, hopeful, supportive and a trailblazer who inspires others.
The events will consist of many informational events. Nov.3, the SGA hosted an informational meeting via zoom, where TRIO was talking about first-generation college students and TRIO services at 11:15 a.m.
Nov.4, TRIO hosted a Virtual Open House from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. and then again from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. on zoom. They talked about TRIO. In the meeting, information was provided about the pell grant and how students who are registered with the Access Center could be eligible for services that TRIO provides.
On Nov.5, the Springfield and Livingston campuses will have information tables set up from 10 a.m.- 11 a.m. and then again from 3 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Students will be able to find out more information about Financial Aid, The Well and The Feed. Vol State will also be handing out goodie bags, t-shirts, and give first-generation information along with handing out First-Generation buttons.
Vol State will be hosting a webinar via Zoom from 12 p.m.-1 p.m.where all students will be encouraged to wear their First- Generation t-shirts and Vol State gear while attending the meeting. The panel will consist of first-generation students, faculty and staff.
Nov 6, the Office of Student Engagement and Support on the Gallatin and Cookeville campuses will be setting up tables from The Well and host the weekly Feed drive-thru. During the event, they will be handing out First- Generation wrist bands and t-shirts, and they will also provide information for the first-generation college students. Gallatin will be hosting its event starting at 12 p.m. and Cookeville will be hosting its event from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Throughout the week, students will be able to see some of the first-time college students’ stories by looking at the posts that Vol State will be sharing on social media.
“We have many First-Generation college students at Vol State. This is part of a national celebration to show support for those students and address some of the challenges they face. We have put up some profiles of Vol State students on Facebook and the blog. It shares their stories. We hope that First-Generation college students know that they are appreciated and that we consider what we can do to help them succeed in college” said Eric Melcher, Coordinator of Marketing and Public Relations.
To see the list of events or find out more information, please go to the vol state website or visit https://volunteerstatecommunitycollege.blogspot.com/2020/10/join-us-for-these-first-generation.html.
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