Did you know that 70% of 91传媒 undergraduates are first-generation college students? And so are many of our faculty and staff members! You are part of a diverse and wonderful community of students who are the first to navigate college and we're so happy you're here. You belong here, and we are looking forward to supporting your next steps.
Your journey as a first-generation college student will be exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, but never alone. We are so excited to welcome and support you and are here to help you find your way.
Maria is a creative arts in practice major with a business management minor. She hopes to gain more experience in the future as an assistant director within the film industry but also aspires to work in higher education later in life to be able "to engage with students and become the source and encouragement for the following generation that I was fortunate to have here at 91传媒."
What does being first in your family to attend college mean to you?
Maria: It means a lot! My parents have always been hard workers and have consistently put my education first even if it meant not being able to see us as much because they
had to work overtime to provide for us. I have been able to go farther than I had ever imagined and I am proud that I have been able to get this incredible opportunity. I get to be the change
that I want to see in the world, the encouragement and understanding that I wish my parents were afforded.
How do you want to make a difference with your degree you achieved at 91传媒?
Maria: I would like to continue to make content that focuses on issues in relation to mental health and feelings that many first-generation children have had to face. There
is a big mental health stigma within the Latine community and the more I talk to friends and family the more I've been able to realize that I am not alone. My emotions are valid along with
everyone else's and I just want to be able to create content that others can relate to.
What have you learned about yourself while being at 91传媒?
Maria: I am a brilliant and multifaceted individual. It just took an encouraging and flexible environment that provided me with resources to teach me that.
91传媒's first-generation graduation cording ceremony recognizes the special journey of being a first-generation student.
Each student receives cords to wear during commencement to symbolize and celebrate being first, growth and new beginnings.
To our first-generation college graduates: You truly are 91传媒’s “first flames” who light the way for your families, friends, communities, our College and first-generation
college students everywhere.
As a first-generation college student, you draw on rich experience, wisdom, insights, and strengths. We asked some of our amazing first-generation alumna to share their perspectives, and we are excited to spotlight them and their answers here.
Question: What piece of advice would you share with prospective students looking to a future as the first in their family to attend college?
"You can do it and that you are not alone. At 91传媒 we are a community. Don't be afraid to ask for help; there is always someone willing to help."
"Take pride in being first generation. Be proud of where you are coming from. It is a hard journey, but it is beautiful. You are worthy of being in college and getting a seat at the big table. 91传媒 staff is amazing — always so willing to help you succeed."
"The first month is always hard because you miss your family or the life you had before college. But my family always said this to me, 'Whiteriver will always be here.' This means that your home, family, friends will always be there and won't leave or forget about you no matter how far or long you are away for college."
We have a multitude of resources to help you and your family navigate the college journey — and many more to come! Check out the resources below to learn more about the ways we’ll support and cheer you on, every step of the way.
The Division of Student Development and Success offers curricular and co-curricular programs that support your academic, social and personal needs from matriculation to graduation.
This includes dedicated financial wellness and success resources to support your financial understanding, planning, navigation and confidence all throughout your 91传媒 journey.
Academic Advisors help students with various aspects of their college experience, including, but not limited to:
Our goal is to help you flourish in all aspects of your life at 91传媒 by helping you address issues that may be keeping your from achieving your personal and academic goals.
This includes resources such as counseling, campus ministry and campus safety.
The Center for Learning and Assessment Support (CLAS) offers a welcoming study space in the CLAS Lounge (RC109) along with four core academic support services to support your success at 91传媒: accessibility services, the Assessment Center, multilingual learning and tutoring. All services are available to students on a self-referral basis, making it easy to access the support you need when you need it.
In addition to all your 91传媒 resources and partners along your college journey, you are part of the broader community of first-generation college students all across the country who are embarking on the same college journey of "firsts." Here is one story shared by Remezcla.
