NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University will participate in a national celebration dedicated to first-generation students. This annual event is part of a broader initiative supported by the Council for Opportunity for Education and the Center for First-Generation Student Success.

The theme for this year's recognition is “Tell Us Your Story,” encouraging students to share their personal experiences. The event, which is free and open to all Northwest students, will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the B.D. Owens Library.

Participants will have access to a popcorn bar with beverages and receive notebooks to document their stories. Additionally, attendees can enter a raffle for prizes related to the theme, including a Kindle Scribe as the grand prize and a $250 scholarship.

A first-generation student is defined as someone whose parents or legal guardians did not complete a four-year college degree. At Northwest, these students comprise 34 percent of undergraduates and 36 percent of first-time freshmen this fall.

St. Louis native Ross shared his perspective on being a first-generation student: “You are able to take on something that your family has not done, and you’re curious about finishing a four-year degree,” he said. “It is just a monumental achievement, not only for yourself but also for starting that possibility of others behind you – whether that’s your own future generation or maybe that’s your own family members.”

Northwest supports its first-generation students by offering specialized sections taught by faculty and staff who themselves were first-generation students. These sections aim to assist new students in their transition and provide mentorship opportunities.

This year marks the eighth annual First-Generation College Celebration nationwide, aligning with the 59th anniversary of the signing of the 1965 Higher Education Act. This act has played a crucial role in enabling many individuals to become the first in their families to earn college degrees.