Published Nov. 22, 2021
University of Louisiana Monroe President Ron Berry, second from right, joins TRIO-SSS
students, from left, Blake Stone, John'Nise Peoples, and Phillip Vu-Nguyen in celebrating
National First-Generation College Celebration. President Berry was the first in his
family to earn a college degree.
Siddarth Gaulee/ULM Photo Services
The First to Fly Reception highlighted the experiences and stories of first-generation
faculty, staff, and students
The University of Louisiana Monroe's TRIO Programs Student Support Services hosted
a First to Fly Reception to celebrate the success of first-generation students, faculty,
and staff. The event was on Nov. 8 in honor of the annual National First-Generation
College Celebration.
A first-generation college student is a student whose parents or legal guardians have
not completed a bachelor's degree, making the student the first in their family to
graduate with a bachelor's degree.
The annual National First-Generation College Celebration selected the date of Nov.
8 to honor the signing anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which provided
federal funding to strengthen resources and make college more accessible for all students.
The First to Fly Reception highlighted the experiences and stories of first-generation
faculty, staff, and students. President Ronald Berry; Donald Simpson, Ph.D., Dean
of the College of Health Sciences; Michelle McEachern, Ph.D., Dean of the College
of Business and Social Sciences; John Pratte, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Arts,
Education, and Sciences; Glenn Anderson, Pharm.D., Dean of the College of Pharmacy;
and John Sutherlin, Ph.D., Chief Innovative and Research Officer, shared their heartfelt
experiences as first-generation graduates and their college challenges.
Catherine Estis, Ph.D., TRIO Executive Director, stated that a recognition program
for first-generation students is imperative to ensuring equity in higher education.
ULM students who received a 2021-2022 First-Generation Scholarship through the ULM
Foundation were recognized with a Certificate of Scholarship. The students include
Jasmine Bingham, Asia Bradley, Micheal Butler, Kirstin Elrod, Nia Hamilton, Joshua
Handy, Terrishan Howard, Willexus Jones, Brook Little, Cayla Oliver, John'Nise Peoples,
Miya Reed, Shakonna Sudds, Jasmine Thenekhamsyharath, Ivonne Valenzuela, Ambernae
Williams, and Melaney Zheng.
The University of Louisiana Monroe recognized students who are the first in their
families to earn a college degree at the TRIO-SSS National First-Generation College
Celebration. First-Gen students are, from left, Phillip Vu-Nguyen, Brook Little, and
Blake Stone.
Siddarth Gaulee/ULM Photo Services
The first 50 students to arrive at the First to Fly Reception received a "Proud to
be First-Gen" T-shirt, and first-generation faculty and staff received "I'm First"
pins to demonstrate their first-generation pride. First-generation virtual backgrounds
were also unveiled and are available on the TRIO webpage for download.
In addition to National First-Generation College Celebration Day, TRIO-SSS peer mentors
John'Nise Peoples and Brailyn Russo introduced a new Recognized Student Organization,
First-Generation Ambassadors. The student-led organization will raise awareness about
the first-generation student's experience through activities and programs designed
to foster first-generation students' personal and professional development.
According to Mystee Burrell, Ed.D., Co-Associate Director of TRIO Programs, "A sense
of belonging is something first-generation students often feel is missing from their
college experience. FGA will provide opportunities for first-generation students to
engage with individuals from similar backgrounds and cultivate a community of support."
TRIO-SSS is one of the eight TRIO Programs fully funded through the U.S. Department
of Education to assist first-generation, income-eligible students to remain in good
academic standing and graduate from college. To learn more about the TRIO-SSS program
or to apply, visit www.ulm.edu/research/trio.
