Thursday (Nov. 8) is the National First-Generation College Celebration and the library is excited to cheer on First Gen students — this week and every week! See below for books, events, and resources — and stayed tuned for messages from our staff later this week.

Books & Films

• Book: First in the family: Your college years, advice about college from first-generation students by Kathleen Cushman (2006)
  Information on everything from the initial culture shock of starting college as a first gen student to grappling with how college changes your identity, and what that might mean for existing relationships with family and friends.
• Book: Giants among us: First-generation college graduates who lead activist lives
  Sandria Rodriguez, whose parents did not finish elementary school, interviews 17 first generation college students about the experiences that led them to pursue social or educational activism.
• Film: First Generation: Every first has a story
  Follows four high school students (an inner city athlete, a small town waitress, a Samoan warrior dancer, and the daughter of migrant field workers) who are the first in their families to attend college. Explores the problem of college access for first generation and low-income students.

UW Tacoma Events and Activities

2nd Annual National First-Gen Celebration

Thursday, November 8, 2018
12:20 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Dawg House, UW Tacoma

UW Tacoma will celebrate the 2^nd Annual National First-Generation College Celebration by honoring first-generation stories. This event will feature a keynote address from UWT’s Associate Vice Chancellor & Admissions Officer Karl Smith and student remarks from First-Gen Fellow and ASUWT President Armen Papayan. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to sign their pledge as first-generation students to finish their four-year degree.

We are First Generation Story Campaign

UW Tacoma faculty, staff and students can submit their first-gen stories and participate in the 3^rd Annual “We are First Generation” stories campaign.

Web Resources for First Generation Students

• UW Tacoma First Gen Fellows: First Gen Fellows also referred as “First Generation College Students” is a program that provides individualized support to students who identify as first in their family to graduate from college.
• UW First Generation Graduate Students: Seattle-based resources dedicated to supporting first-generation graduate students with innovative programming. A first-gen graduate student is in the first generation of their family to earn a bachelor’s degree — and is now earning a graduate degree. Link includes info on a “Show Your Pride” poll for first gen grad students.
• Navigating the First Year for First Generation College Students: Background information on first gen students, the challenges they face, and how they may be addressed by faculty and staff.

Johanna Jacobsen Kiciman contributed to this post.