In commemoration of the anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965, The University of Toledo will hold its sixth-annual celebration of first-generation students on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Thompson Student Union Ingman Room.
This event will increase campus and community awareness of first-generation students enrolled and thriving in higher education. This recognition is connected to the national initiative led by The Council for Opportunity for Education in partnership with the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
UToledo will hold its sixth-annual celebration of first-generation students on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Thompson Student Union Ingman Room.
The signing of the 1965 Higher Education Act (HEA) led to the creation of the first three federal TRIO Programs to support first-generation students in their pursuit of higher education across the country.
The programs include Upward Bound, Student Support Services and Talent Search. The HEA has helped millions of first-generation, low-income students persist to degree completion. There are eight federal TRIO programs, and UToledo hosts three: TRIO Student Support Services, TRIO Upward Bound and TRIO Upward Bound Math and Science.
For the day, first-generation families will come to UToledo for an individualized campus visit and tour, that will include shadowing UToledo first-gen students who will offer their perspectives.
The families then will be encouraged to attend the First-Generation Day Celebration, which will consist of first-generation alums leading and facilitating discussions with students and visiting families. Food and entertainment will be provided at the event, including a 360 photobooth, a DJ and more.
“Being a first-generation graduate is a badge of honor, acknowledging that a current situation is not always the final destination,” said Kenny Brown, director of TRIO Student Support Services and Chair of UToledo’s First-Generation Celebration Committee. “Persistence and resilience are the fuel that drives the engines of our first-generation student community, and we want to assure them they are celebrated, valued and supported.”
