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On November 8, 2022, 91��Ƶר�� College celebrated , but what exactly is a first-generation student?

Simply put, any student who is the child of parents and grandparents who did not attend a college or university is considered first-generation. These “first-gens” account for 42 percent of the total collegiate student population nationwide. Here at 91��Ƶר��, 18 percent of incoming freshmen during the 2021-2022 year were first-gens, a number which has steadily been on the rise thanks to the College’s accessibility and inclusivity initiatives.

Besides current students, there are numerous 91��Ƶר�� alumni as well as faculty and staff members who are first-gens. Even 91��Ƶר��’s own president, Andrea Chapdelaine, Ph.D., is herself a proud first-gen college student. The road to graduation is often challenging for first-gen students, who often come from underrepresented communities. They may lack the higher education “fluency” that is natural to their peers who have parents already well-versed in the complexities of college life. Despite this, first-gen students are often the most resilient, dedicated and grateful.

To honor this tenacious group of Blazers, 91��Ƶר�� College invited first-gen alumni to visit current first-gen students on campus. In recognition of their accomplishments and overcoming barriers to education, first-gen staff members and alumni handed out cookies, custom first-gen stickers and other goodies. Some of these past and present students who participated in the event shared their thoughts on what it means to be first-gen.

“Today, I spent time with a gal who was a first-generation student, whose parents were from El Salvador and Ghana. They worked really hard so that she could come to college. She selected 91��Ƶר�� because of the close-knit friendships, small classes and outstanding student support. I also had a chance to talk with some of the field hockey players who are first-gen. I had played in an alumni game with them last year, so it’s cool to see them here as first-gen students. I was reminded of when I was here at 91��Ƶר�� back in the late 70s.” -Joy Miller Beveridge ’82

“To me, being a first-gen student means that I’ll be able to support my family in the future and that I’m setting a good example for my cousins. My sister is older than me and she also went to college as a first-gen student. We’re both really proud of ourselves and each other.” -Phebe Frost ’25

“Being a first-gen student means that I get to make a difference and hold a high standard for my niece and nephews to look up to.” -Jordan Banks ’23

“I’m the oldest of three. My parents started college but couldn’t finish, so I’m just finishing what they started and setting that path for my siblings.” -Lexie Page ’25