Hype music and large glow sticks pounded the air in the Kiva as Nov. 8’s I AM FIRST celebration marked the middle of I AM FIRST Week at Kent State University. The weeklong series of events honors first-generation college students, those students who are or will be the first in their family to complete a bachelor’s degree.
While it can be difficult to navigate college as a first-generation college student, attendees like Ivory Kendrick, a first-generation sophomore public health major from Ravenna, look at it in a positive way.
“Use it as a way to embrace where you came from instead of just being like ‘oh, it’s a downside’ because if anything, it’s not. It empowers you to do more,” Kendrick said.
The events of I AM FIRST Week celebrated faculty, staff and advocates of first-generation students’ journeys and included tabling, connections and conversations, a student resource presentation, a recognition breakfast and celebrations for specific colleges within Kent State. This event was a general recognition for all first-generation students and advocates with a special keynote address by Mandy Munro-Stasiuk, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
More than 200 people registered for the celebration. As students walked in, I AM FIRST committee members and volunteers energetically welcomed them with cheering and large Kent State glow sticks. Once the event started, a video titled “I Know, and I Promise” came onto the screen, showing first-generation students, faculty and staff members giving advice and reassurance about being a first-generation student at Kent State.
Melanie Jones, director of Student Success Programs, then opened the event and welcomed all the students and advocates. This presentation complemented the inclusive environment set by theme of I AM FIRST events held earlier in the week.
“I feel like it's really inclusive, and they have so many cool opportunities,” Estefany Vazquez, a freshman visual communication design major, said. “I really liked it overall.”
Inclusion is a key element of Kent State’s Division of People, Culture and Belonging. The efforts of the committee created not only an inclusive environment for first-generation students but one where they are being celebrated to the fullest.
During her keynote, Munro-Stasiuk shared her own first-generation student story and the lack of resources she had in her college journey. She ended her speech by encouraging students to use the resources Kent State offers as much as possible.
“All of these resources help you with things going on either in your life here at Kent or in your life at home, use them as much as you can,” Munro-Stasuik said. “We’ve created a community here, it’s like a city within a city.”
The celebration wrapped up with a first-generation student panel. Three students from different backgrounds sat in front of their peers to share inspiring insights into the lives of first-generation students. Attendees were invited to continue the celebration by attending the committee’s social after the event.
“It’s important to celebrate first-gen students because they are accomplishing something big and very difficult, and these students are making it happen,” Adelia Young, a sophomore peer success mentor volunteer, said.