In conjunction with National First Generation Day, Missouri Southern’s Project Stay will host its inaugural First Generation Celebration Day” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday in the Lion’s Den.
“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 acclimation 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 source of inspiration.”
Light refreshments will be served. Those in attendance will also receive specially designed “First to Roar” buttons.