On April 13, First Gen Blue Streaks hosted one of the largest Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honor Society induction ceremonies at John Carroll University (JCU) in University Heights, Ohio. Supported by the Center for Student Belonging (CSB), the event celebrated the induction of more than 70 students into the society.
This program, which brought together families, students, staff, and faculty, was designed and executed by student leaders. The ceremony served as a culmination of over a year of hard work and various community engagement events.
Ambassador Initiatives and the 8 Dimensions of Wellness
For the 2025-2026 academic year, CSB onboarded five First Gen Blue Streak ambassadors. These student leaders spearheaded programming centered on the specific needs of first-generation college students, specifically utilizing the 8 Dimensions of Wellness:
- Intellectual
- Occupational
- Social
- Emotional
- Financial
- Environmental
- Spiritual
- Physical
These themes were woven into events throughout the year. For example, the goat therapy event, hosted once a semester in collaboration with the JCU Wellness Center, focused on emotional, spiritual, and social well-being while the networking etiquette workshop and dinner focused on financial, social, and occupational growth.
Celebration and Advocacy
During First Gen Celebration Week, students celebrated their identities with pride, while faculty and staff attended "lunch & learn" sessions to discuss best practices for supporting first-gen students in and outside the classroom.
To foster visibility:
- First-Gen Faculty and Staff were given "First Gen Proud" stickers.
- Supporters and Allies were given "First Gen Advocate" stickers.
- These initiatives ensure that students seeking a sense of community and belonging can easily identify supportive resources and offices across campus.
A Voice for the Community
Hayam Alammari, First Gen Ambassador for the Tri-Alpha Honor Society, captured the spirit of the community during her keynote speech during the Tri-Alpha induction ceremony:
“I stand for my parents who gave up everything so I could be here. I stand for my siblings, who look up to me. I stand for my community. And... I stand for anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong. Because you do.”
Closing the program, Amber-Kerace Geral, Advisor for the First Gen Student Club, spoke to the resilience of the students and the vital role played by their families:
“To the parents and families in this room: Please know that when your students were quiet, it wasn't because they were pulling away. It’s because they were busy becoming pioneers. They were learning to navigate a wilderness for the sake of your family's future. Your love was the fuel that kept them going even when the 'map' was missing.”
Looking Ahead: Graduation
The year will conclude with the First Generation Recognition Program on May 8. This event honors First Gen Blue Streaks and their families. During the ceremony, graduates will receive a cord to be worn at commencement that will be given to them by the supporters they choose to to bring to the event, and their supporters will be recognized with a pin that reads: “I fostered a legacy, Proud of My First-Gen Graduate” to acknowledge that our First Gen students as well as the people who supported them as they navigated this new environment.
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