Did you know that one in three students at The University of Toledo is a first-generation college student?
A first-generation college student is a student whose parent or parents have not completed a bachelor’s degree. This means that they and their siblings are the first in their family to attend a
four-year university to attain a bachelor’s degree.
The concept of first-generation students was introduced into federal policy by the TRIO community in 1980, during passage of the Higher Education Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965. TRIO is a group of grant-funded outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from historically marginalized demographic categories. UT holds grants for TRIO Student Support Services and Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science.
“The No. 1 strategic priority at The University of Toledo is to improve student and academic success. We want first-generation students to know that we have support services in place,” Robin Stone, director of TRIO Student Support Services, said. “When they know they are part of a community that celebrates them and is committed to identifying success paths that address needs specific to them, those first-generation students will experience greater success.”
In addition to TRIO, faculty, staff and students from across the University have been meeting to strategize how best to recognize and celebrate first-generation students. The committee includes representatives from Academic Affairs; Student Affairs; University Libraries; Diversity and Inclusion; Alumni Relations; Sociology and Anthropology; and Sigma Lambda Gamma, the Latino sorority.
In addition to the formation of a student organization dedicated to first-generation students, this committee is also hosting an informational reception at Carlson Library Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by to learn more about what it means to be a first-generation student and why it’s important to celebrate and understand them.
For more information about the first-generation celebration, contact Stone at 419.530.3848 or robin.stone@utoledo.edu.
