Gratitude is more than a personal virtue. It is a powerful advocacy tool—one that sustains us through challenging times and helps us to demonstrate the transformative impact of our work to transform the first-generation student experience.

Sustaining Ourselves

Advocates often stay closely attuned to the news to identify threats and opportunities that affect the causes about which they care. But this hyper-vigilance comes at a cost. Media overconsumption can lead to “headline stress disorder”—an increase in negative feelings like anxiety, hopelessness, and burnout.

Holding space for gratitude is one way to counter these effects. Studies consistently demonstrate that taking just fifteen minutes a day to practice gratitude can reduce depression, relieve stress, and improve heart health. In moments of advocacy fatigue, gratitude offers us renewal and perspective, and re-energizes us for the work ahead.

Demonstrating Impact

Gratitude also serves as a strategic communication tool. When we publicly thank those who contribute to our success, we draw attention to both the structural barriers we’ve faced and the resources that helped us overcome them. We’re not only expressing our appreciation to celebrate individual contributions, we’re helping policymakers and other key stakeholders identify and implement effective solutions to our students’ most pressing problems.

For example, Georgia State University recently honored Cyntoria Johnson for her outstanding efforts to increase access using open educational resources (OER). By nominating Johnson, her students brought attention to how OER reduces costs and improves affordability—not only at Georgia State, but across higher education.

Express Gratitude: Join the “Dear…” Campaign

In the spirit of sustaining ourselves and demonstrating impact, we invite you to participate in the “Dear…” campaign—a celebration of the people who help move us #FirstGenForward on campus and beyond.

We’re partnering with our colleagues at the Council for Opportunity in Education on a campaign to share your first-gen story and celebrate those who’ve helped you throughout your academic journey. 

Each month leading up to November’s First-Generation College Celebration, we’ll share a theme on social media and invite you to post a picture and short reflection using #CelebrateFirstGen. 

This month, we encourage you to express your appreciation for your family in a “Dear Family” post—show a picture of yourself with your family and/or a mentor and share what their support has meant to you.

Your stories matter. They raise visibility, foster connection, and inspire others. Consider the words of William E:, who says:

“Dear Family: As a proud #FirstGen graduate, this moment carried weight. My family stood with me, not just in celebration but as witnesses to a journey shaped by resilience and love. They saw me as an adult learner who stayed the course, even when the odds felt heavy. Their support reminded me that when family shows up, the dream becomes possible.”

Or this tribute from Lindsey M., who praised the support she received from her mother alongside a picture of their celebration:

“So, here are my mom and I celebrating me officially earning my PhD, 4 months after successfully defending my dissertation, on an unseasonably warm December day in Pennsylvania. My mom never finished college, but she was determined that I would. There were SO MANY obstacles along the way (a post for another day), but Mom was always there with encouraging words, a warm hug, an emergency credit card, or a glass of champagne. Cheers to you, Mom!”

Add Your Voice

We encourage you to add your story to the campaign and offer thanks to the family—by blood or by choice—who supported you on your journey. Be sure to tag us @FirstGenForward and @COETalk on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn so we can join you in thanking our fellow first-gen champions!