“In the past, many first-generation students were looked down upon,” said Stephanie Keene, associate director of Academic Success and PresbyFirst+ coordinator. “Many had feelings of imposter syndrome, or felt like they don’t belong, or had feelings of shame.

“I want that narrative to go away. I want our first-gens to know they are breaking barriers. They are doing things many before them couldn’t do.”

During the week of November 8, the Academic Success office held the PresbyFirst+ Fest. The events on campus were designed to “change the stigma and conversation about being first-gen,” according to Keene.

Events for First-generation Students

First-generation students, professors, and college administrators watched the documentary “Why Not Us?” during the PresbyFirst+ Fest. They then discussed the challenges and issues associated with being first-generation college students. Faculty and Staff also touched on life after college and being a “first-gen professional.”

The First-generation Art Gallery in Neville Hall featured pieces by first-gen students. Open mic night, open to all students, provided students a way to decompress while also highlighting the talents of first-generation students.

Other events that Keene and first-generation students chose for the PresbyFirst+ Fest included:

• a financial literacy workshop
• a trivia contest
• a yoga session intended to help relieve stress before final exams

“I particularly wanted to make sure there were a mixture of events,” Keene said. “We wanted some events focused on student support, first-gen identity, mental health as well as just plain fun things they can do to relax and enjoy their PC experience.”

Support for First-generation Students

November 8 was National First-Gen Day. Keene, a first-generation student when in college, felt it was important to celebrate first-generation students for more than one day.

“Given the tremendous support PC and the Clinton community have given first-gen students, I thought it would be great to have a weeklong celebration rather than one single event,” she said.

PC President Bob Staton recognized the significance of first-generation students when he introduced The Promise of PC in November 2017. The strategic plan states, “We are identifying and engaging first-generation students on campus that may require direct attention and discovery of success strategies.”

Since then, the College established PresbyFirst+ to support first-generation students. The program focuses on developing, implementing and sustaining services around the success, retention and persistence for undergraduate first-generation PC students. Currently, 204 undergraduate students at PC identify themselves as first-generation college students.

National Recognition

Earlier this year, the Center for First-generation Student Success recognized PC’s efforts to support first-generation students. PC was one of only 77 colleges and universities in the country to be named to the 2020 cohort of First-gen Forward Institutions.

More than half (56%) of undergraduate college students were first-generation college students as of the 2015-2016 academic year, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

PC is doing even more to support this rapidly growing student population. The PresbyFirst+ Mentorship program has recently been approved as a registered student organization.

“We have an awesome team of first-gen students working to make sure their peers and future peers have the best college experience possible,” Keene said.

Two weeks ago, the PC Board of Trustees announced the establishment of the Robert E. ‘68 and Phyllis B ‘18 (h) Staton Endowed Scholarship. First preference is given to first-generation PC students.

Learn More about Being a First-gen Student at PC

Students were required to wear masks and maintain social distance during the PresbyFirst+ Fest events. Multiple stations with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes were also set up during the events.

Please visit PresbyFirst+ to learn more about the program. To support first-generation PC students, please visit Giving to PC.