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Despite a downpour, Genesee Community College is celebrating the accomplishments of and supporting the needs of first-generation college students on campus and in the community with interactive resource carnival.
Turnout at the National First-Generation College Celebration Day event at Genesee Community College (GCC) was outstanding, although an unexpected downpour did leave our attendees somewhat… soaked. But the rain did not dampen spirits, and first-gen pride was displayed with gusto by members of the GCC community, with faculty, staff, students and regional partners packing the William W. Stuart Forum. Hosted by the TRIO Adult Educational Opportunity Center (AEOC) at GCC, the AEOC staff, supported by both GCC and community partners, went all out to show our commitment to first-gen students.
Benefitting from the 2025 First-Generation College Celebration Grant, AEOC staff and GCC colleagues organized a resource carnival for all our first-gen students and their supporters. In addition to resources shared from the college offices and departments in attendance, partners from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, and Fidelis Care were present, connecting students with important supports for addressing food and housing insecurity, poverty, and other concerns shared by many first-gen students. A generous community member even donated professional clothes to support students building their work wardrobes.
First-gen students may face barriers not shared by their peers. In addition to learning how to navigate unfamiliar systems without the social capital of family members who have already attended college, first-gen students disproportionately come from low-income backgrounds. Coupled with other compounding barriers like caregiving for children and family, mental health concerns, external pressures from families, this can delay or prevent degree attainment.
With support from programs like AEOC at GCC, first-gen students can feel confident when they enter college. AEOC helps adult first-gen students to overcome these barriers, providing aid to the community with supports such as college and trade school application and enrollment assistance, financial aid and scholarship counseling, career exploration, referral to community resources, and navigation of veterans’ education benefits.
While at the First-Generation College Celebration, a GCC alumnus and military veteran shared his experience as a first-gen student at the college:
“It was hard to be the first to go to college… my mom always wanted to go, but us kids always came first. I always had help here at GCC, and with the AEOC, I always knew where to go when I didn’t know where to go. It helped to make GCC feel more like home.”
GCC celebrated with cotton candy and popcorn machines, face painting, balloon art, games, raffles, student supply giveaways, and music. Donated items like student supplies, professional clothes, and food were specific supports targeted towards first-gen student needs. Partnering with the GCC Childcare Center, the resource carnival was hosted in the late afternoon to early evening so adult students picking up their children from daycare could celebrate together. Games like “Career Jenga,” a “fishbowl” toss (complete with resin fish keychains), and lollipop pulls made participants smile. Student Engagement and Inclusion made a special “popcorn bar” which added flair to the carnival snack. Even the GCC library staff developed a tabletop mini-golf game with prizes to the college’s bookstore.
GCC leaders like the Dean of Students, Director of Financial Aid, Director of Access & Accommodations hosted tables, games, and giveaways. GCC President Craig Lamb and other Vice Presidents attended the event, connecting with first-gen students and showing support. As a result of the event, residence life collaborated with community leaders for additional student supports, like nutritious cooking classes, scheduled during the academic year. This first-gen event and sustainable efforts reaffirm GCC’s commitment to supporting first-gen students.
Genesee Community College 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-gen college students’ identities, strengths, and experiences.
For more information on Genesee Community College's approach, please visit their website: https://www.genesee.edu/.
