In conjunction with “National First Gen Day,” Missouri Southern State University’s Project Stay will host its inaugural “First Generation Celebration Day” on Friday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Lion’s Den – located on the second floor of Billingsly Student Center.
“More than half of our students are the first in their family to go to college,” said Debbie Fort, Project Stay director. “Sometimes they have a cultural acclamation shock. They don’t always know where to go for answers and they might be afraid to approach a professor. They also don’t have anyone at home who can help them navigate the college world.”
Students, faculty and staff are invited to celebrate first generation accomplishments with intentional conversations, institutional commitment to fostering student success and campus collaborations.
“Our main goal is to inform,” said Fort. “Secondly, we want faculty and staff there, because I think as a first gen student – if I know my teacher is also first gen and has gone on to get a doctorate, then maybe that will serve as a source of inspiration.”
Light refreshments will be served. Those in attendance will also receive specially designed “First to Roar” buttons.
To learn more about Project Stay at MSSU, go to:https://www.mssu.edu/student-affairs/trio/project-stay/