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by Kathleen Greco, Dean of Student Success
Centenary University
At its core, higher education has always been about growth and self-discovery. For first-generation college students, that journey is often accompanied by challenges unique to their backgrounds, histories, and identities. While many of our first-generation students understood that they were the first in their family to attend college, they didn’t understand that it was something to be recognized, supported, and applauded for.
We celebrated National First-generation College Celebration Day (2024) with a social media campaign, "I Am First and ...," an initiative designed to empower students by allowing them to recognize an identity that may be new for them, a first-generation college student, and to share and celebrate the aspects of their identity that matter most to them.
For many, being first-gen can feel like both a source of pride and a quiet struggle. It’s a narrative that, for some, isn’t always easy to voice. Before this program, many students didn’t understand their first-generation status or were hesitant to openly acknowledge it, fearing judgment or feeling like they didn’t fit the traditional college mold. "I Am First and …" created a space where those fears could be set aside and where students could collectively share all the aspects of their identity that they are proud of and that make them who they are.
This program was more than just a celebration of first-gen; it became a celebration of all the aspects that make us who we are - our backgrounds, our values, our cultures, and yes, being “first-gen”. Students filled out the "I Am First and ..." form, took a picture with the form, and posted it on social media. We had students share any number of identities, majors, career choices, birth order, emotions, and even more fluid characteristics like being an inspiration or just simply a friend. This was an opportunity to stand together, share stories, and recognize the strength derived from diverse and multifaceted identities.
One of the most powerful outcomes of "I Am First and ..." was the spotlight it placed on the high number of first-gen students at Centenary. It became clear that first-generation students are not just a small group, they are an integral part of the fabric of our campus, spanning across all majors and involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities. From the sciences to the arts, from student government to campus ministries, first-gen students are contributing to every corner of the Centenary community. The program showcased that this demographic is not just surviving, it is thriving and plays a significant role in shaping the culture of our university.
To ensure that this important moment wasn’t just shared within our group, the marketing team worked closely with us to amplify the program across the entire Centenary community. Together, we created social media posts that not only spotlighted the personal stories of our students but also invited others to reflect on their journeys and identities. By sharing these powerful narratives online, we were able to celebrate the diversity of experiences that make our campus vibrant and remind everyone that being first-gen is about much more than just being the first in your family to attend college, it's about the courage to be yourself and the strength that comes from embracing all parts of who you are.
For more information on Centenary University's approach, please visit their website here.
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