By Alain Puma, publications intern
More than half of the FSU student population are first in their family to go to college, according to Associate Dean of Academic Success LaDonna Bridges.
“54% of our student population identifies as being the first in their family to go to college. And it is probably underreported. We need to acknowledge and support that important population,” she said.
Bridges and The Center for Academic Success (CASA) organized and hosted a table event in the McCarthy Center lobby to commemorate National First Generation College Celebration Day.
The event included a collage of FSU faculty who are first generation college students, t-shirts, and a “I Commit to Graduate” banner that students could sign.
Bridges, who herself is a first generation college student, underscored why these students need additional support at times.
“Their journey is often different. They have all the intelligence and drive, but they don’t have the help navigating this environment. They usually do their financial aid application all on their own. They do their college application process on their own,” she said.
Bridges also highlighted one of the unique challenges that first generation college students face.
“First gen students don’t graduate at the same rate as other students,” she said.
Bridges said that she and CASA work with advisors to understand the first gen student population and are able to connect students with available resources to alleviate some of the challenges they may face.
Bridges highlighted a resource available to incoming first generation students.
“Something I’m really proud of is that we have a first year seminar class Rams 101 - four of which are dedicated to first generation students. They are taught by first gen faculty and only first gen students are in the class,” she said.
“It provides this space that allows students to ask questions without feeling othered because they are a first gen student,” she added.
Bridges said that the first generation event was illuminating for students who attended.
“It was amazing today. Cara Pina, who is a Biology professor and is first gen, was at the table and students were so surprised to find out that she was a first gen student,” she said.
“We’re trying to elevate the faculty and staff who were the first in their family so that students can see what is possible,” she added.
Bridges said she was “pleased” with student turnout and enthusiasm at the event.
“They signed the banner. We ran out of t-shirts - so that’s a good thing. Students just seemed to really like being acknowledged for being the first in their family to go to college. There’s a lot of pride that comes along with that,” she said.
