WSU campuses poised to celebrate National First-Generation Day

A health career panel discussion, resource fair, and a graduate school preparation workshop are among the many activities planned across the Washington State University system in celebration of National First-Generation Day.

National First-Generation Day is recognized on Nov. 8 every year, but like many universities and colleges, WSU's campuses have planned events before and after the official day of celebration. Here is a list of activities:

WSU Everett

• First-Gen Coffee Chat with first-gen students, faculty, and staff, Wednesday, Nov. 12 at noon, Crimson Cafe

WSU Pullman

• Coffee Club, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 3-4:30 p.m., Lighty 260X
• First-Gen Resource Pop Up Fair, Wednesday, Nov. 5, noon-1 p.m., CUB 1^st floor (held in conjunction with PB&J Club)
• First-Gen Abroad Information Session, Thursday, Nov. 6, 12:10-1 p.m., Lighty 260X
• Screening of "A Walk in My Shoes", Thursday, Nov. 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Goertzen 21, RSVP requested
• First-Gen Friday Workshop Series: Navigating the Graduate School Application Process, led by Manee Moua, TRIO McNair Scholars Program, Friday, Nov. 7, 12:10-1 p.m., CUB 410

WSU Spokane

• Postcard Writing Campaign to Future First-Gen students & get a first-gen sticker, Monday-Friday, Nov. 4-7, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the HUB, SAC 107

WSU Tri-Cities

• First-Gen Study Abroad Dine & Learn, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 4-5:30 p.m., Consolidated Information Center-Learning Commons-Career Center, RSVP requested
• First-Gen Fuel Letter Writing Campaign to Future First-Gen Students, Friday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m.-noon, Consolidated Information Center 120

WSU Vancouver

• First-Gen Appreciation Lunch, Tuesday, Nov. 4, noon-1 p.m., VDEN 129
• Gratitude Letter Writing Campaign & Cocoa, Wednesday, Nov. 5, noon-2 p.m., Firstenberg 101
• First-Gen Health Career Panel with Neuroscience Club, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2-3 p.m., VDEN 129
• Bowling with the First-Gen Student Association Friday, Nov 7

Lucila Loera, executive director of the Office for Access & Opportunity and interim director of TRIO Student Support Services on the Pullman campus, said the variety of events reflect the many interests and accomplishments of WSU's first gen students.

"First-Gen Day is more than an annual celebration, it is a recognition of resiliency and determination, and the impact of a postsecondary education," Loera said. "Our first-generation students remind us that access creates opportunity, and opportunity changes lives and communities."

Leaders and pioneers

Perhaps no one exemplifies the impact college can have on a person than WSU senior Aaliyah Ngirutang. The shy psychology and sociology major admits her college career got off to a rough start after she arrived on the Pullman campus from the Micronesian Islands. She experienced culture shock, homesickness, and financial challenges, and almost left for home.

Looking back, Ngirutang is so happy she stuck it out because everything changed for her the following year. She joined the Pacific Islanders Club (she currently serves as president) and Chi Delta Sigma Sorority, Inc. She has also worked as a resident advisor (RA) in Regents Hall, a research assistant, and a teaching assistant in the Department of Psychology. She found her communities and a sense of belonging at WSU.

WSU Pullman has many programs to support first-gen students such as TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Classic, the First-Gen Student Center, College Assistance Migrant Program, Team Mentoring Program, Cougs Rise, Teacher Prep and STEM SSS, and the McNair Scholars Program, which Ngirutang joined this fall.

Being a first-gen student is something Ngirutang is proud of and seeing WSU organize so many activities for National First-Generation Day makes her feel seen and recognized on campus.

"A lot of us want to make our mom and dad proud, but at the end of the day, we are building a future for ourselves," Ngirutang said. "It is important that we remember our passion for making positive changes within our communities, and maybe the world someday."

Myonne Davis-Nicholson, first-gen student success coordinator in the Engaged Learning and Career Center at WSU Vancouver, said the impact first-gen students are making on campus can be felt far and wide.

"Bringing these students together, helping them get connected, and showing campus-wide support is essential for the strength of our student body," Davis-Nicholson said. "Our first-gen students are leaders and pioneers on our campus; they deserve a week's worth of celebrating."