First Generation Student Day Taking Place At Western Illinois University
Nearly 40 percent of Western Illinois University’s newest freshman class is composed of First Generation students. As part of the University’s overall retention and recruitment initiatives, Western’s First Generation Society (W1GS) provides these students with the resources and tools to be successful in college.
Today (Nov. 8) is National First Generation College Celebration Day, which also honors the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. Much like other hallmark legislation of the 1960s, the HEA was created to level the playing field for individuals from minority and low-income backgrounds. In addition to creating federal grants and loan programs to help pay for an education, the legislation made key investments in higher education institutions. HEA also brought such programs as the Federal TRIO program, which assist with the preparation, procedures and direction in pursuing postsecondary access, retention and completion for low-income and/or first generation college graduates.
According to Associate Director of Retention Initiatives and W1GS Adviser Jacquelyn Miller, acclimating to a college environment, whether living away from or at home, brings academic, social, financial and other unfamiliar situations, particularly for first gen students.
“We are committed to providing opportunities for success for our students and their families. We’ve created the First Generation website (wiu.edu/fye/firstgen.php) that includes resources and a dictionary for those unfamiliar with University lingo, and Retention Initiatives hosted parent/family zoom sessions to answer questions and provide support,” Miller explained. “We’ve also created the First Generation Initiative Scholarship. Individuals can transform entire families’ lives by donating to this new scholarship.
In addition, the First Generation Society is in the process of rebuilding to bring together more students, faculty and staff with first generation backgrounds. The society works to educate its members about the resources available, get them involved in campus activities and become active volunteers.
Isaac Pulido, a graduate student from Galena who is in the WIU College Student Personnel program, graduated with his bachelor’s degree in human resource management from WIU in Spring 2022. Pulido’s goal is to earn his master’s degree and work at an institution, assisting various minority and first generation students in their growth and development throughout their academic career.
“As a first generation college student, WIU has provided me with various resources and opportunities that have allowed me to grow into the person that I am today. Western’s staff and faculty have assisted me academically and personally to thrive in a setting that, as a first generation college student, I found to be daunting,” Pulido added. “At WIU, I’ve never been seen as just a number, but as a human being and someone who Western’s staff has truly cared about. Now, I’m on my way to becoming the professional I’ve always wanted to be. I look forward to being able to assist other students in their development like Western Illinois University has done for me.”
W1GS will host a College-to-Career panel discussion from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 in the University Union Sandburg Theatre. The discussion, which will feature first generation students, along with faculty, staff and alumni, will focus on how first generation students can be career-focused, as well as resources available through the WIU Career Development Center.
Kyla Jones, a junior Bachelor of General Studies major from Decatur, said as a first generation college student, her ability to obtain knowledge of higher education was limited to the information provided by her high school. Her goal is to earn her master’s and doctorate degrees in psychology and become a clinical psychologist.
“Due to the limited information available to me, I was very unsure about what career path I intended to take when I began my time at Western. When I got here, I was relieved to find that there was a degree program which was especially designed for individuals like me,” Jones said. “As a student in the general studies program, I discovered my passion for social sciences, psychology and sociology, and realized I want to pursue a career in clinical psychology. Without the multitude of resources, opportunities and support available at Western, I would not be where I am today.”
First generation students who need assistance and more information about WIU can visit wiu.edu/firstgeneration. For all resources and support initiatives in place for students at Western, visit wiu.edu/fye.
Natalia Rosales is a junior accounting major at the WIU-Quad Cities campus, who hails from Rock Island. Rosales is the first in her family to attend college.
“I selected Western because of its affordability, and there were plenty of scholarship opportunities available for me. And WIU has a connection with many businesses around the area, like John Deere, which fits with my career goals,” Rosales explained.
