Wright State University joined campuses nationwide on Nov. 8 for National First-Generation College Celebration Day.<\/p>\n
Wright State\u2019s celebration, which took place in the Student Union Atrium, included a 360 video\/photo booth, food, music, networking and encouraging quotes from Wright State alumni who are first-generation college students. The appreciation event was open to anyone who is or was the first in their family to attend or graduate from college.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time and it\u2019s the first step in building a culture and a community of first-generation college students,\u201d said Susan Schaurer, vice president for enrollment management.<\/p>\n
Wright State President Sue Edwards, Ph.D., kicked off the event and told the crowd that first-generation college students are still common on college campuses.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the nation, 56% of students going to college are in fact first-generation students,\u201d said Edwards.<\/p>\n
Business major Jackson Smith attended the event and said it was inspiring to meet other first-generation students and faculty members at Wright State.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a chance to network with a lot of people today and it was a nice thing,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n
First-generation students, faculty and staff are encouraged to pick up a first-generation college student sticker from the Office of Orientation and Success Programs in 101 Student Success Center.<\/p>\n
First-year students who need help navigating the college process can talk to a success coach in the Office of Orientation and Success Programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are all here to help make certain that students are successful in this journey,\u201d said Schaurer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Wright State University joined campuses nationwide on Nov. 8 for National First-Generation College Celebration Day. Continue reading