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Every November, the Community College of Aurora (CCA) comes alive with the energy, pride, and creativity of our first-generation students. Our most recent First-Generation College Celebration was no exception. Having events every day throughout the week—hearing stories, witnessing connections, and watching students map out their goals—is an ongoing reminder of why this work is so important: first-generation identity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength that drives innovation, resilience, and community impact.
CCA is grateful for TIAA and the Strada Education Foundation’s generous sponsorship of the First-Generation College Celebration. The #CelebrateFirstGen grant equipped us with the resources to move #FirstGenForward by raising awareness of first-generation college students’ identities, strengths, and experiences.
Our week-long celebration was intentionally designed to meet students where they are. We began with tabling across campus—sharing resources, building community, and elevating the visibility of first-generation pride. Throughout the week, students engaged in trivia, conversations with staff, and opportunities to learn more about navigating college systems. While these moments may seem small, they create the trust and belonging that first-generation students consistently tell us they need most.
The anchor of the celebration was our FirstGen Conference on Nov. 6, hosted at CCA’s CentreTech campus. Students, faculty, and staff joined together for a full day of learning designed specifically for first-generation success. Sessions ranged from financial aid guidance to academic planning to support available through the Office of Disability and Equity, TRIO, and the Division of Student Success.
Keynote speaker Devon Hopson, assistant director of advising at the University of Colorado Boulder, shared his own first-generation journey and reminded attendees: “there is no single path to college success—only the one you claim for yourself and shape with your community behind you.” His message resonated deeply across the room, particularly with students who described feeling seen in ways they hadn’t before.
We also invited first-generation alumni back to share their experiences. Their reflections demonstrated the long arc of the first-generation identity—how it shapes not only a student’s academic life but also their career, leadership, and commitment to uplift others. Thanks to the support of the CCA Foundation, four students who engaged in multiple sessions received $500 scholarships, reinforcing that their participation and persistence matter.
The celebration continued the next day with virtual professional development for faculty and instructors, featuring Dr. David Rettinger, whose workshop on integrity and inclusive learning helped us think critically about how we support first-generation students in an evolving educational landscape.
“As I reflect on this year’s celebration, I am struck by the same truth every time: first-generation students illuminate what higher education can be—bold, community-rooted, and filled with possibility. Our responsibility is to keep building spaces where they don’t just belong, but lead.”
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