New Mexico State University will mark the 60th anniversary of the Higher Education Act by hosting several events in November to recognize first-generation college students, faculty, and staff throughout its system.
The university’s seventh annual first-generation celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Corbett Center Student Union on the Las Cruces campus. The event will include tabling with participation from various departments, celebrity speakers sharing their stories starting at 10:15 a.m., and opportunities for students to discuss their experiences as first-generation students. Attendees can receive information, cookies, T-shirts, buttons, and photo props.
“We truly value our first-generation students,” said Marko Mohlenhoff, TRIO McNair Scholars Program director and co-chair of the celebration. “Often our first-gen students, even though they may come from a supportive family, don’t have anyone at home who truly understands the challenges they face in getting a degree. We want these students to know that we understand, and we’re here to support them. Many of us who work here at NMSU were the first generation in our families to get our college degree, so we understand firsthand what our first-gen students are experiencing, and we want to help them succeed.”
Additional events on the Las Cruces campus include a FAFSA and Scholar Dollar$ Workshop led by Michael Kuechmann, financial aid outreach adviser, at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10 in Corbett Center’s Otero Room. The workshop aims to provide tips and information about securing academic funding; online registration is available.
On Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 4 to 6 p.m., the Honors College First-Generation Open House will take place at William Conroy Honors College. Students can learn about honors graduation requirements, fellowships, research opportunities with faculty members, and graduate school preparation while enjoying pizza and giveaways; online registration is also offered.
“Not only do we fulfill our land-grant mission by celebrating the first-generation students in our lives, but we also hold them up for all students to see so they know they’re not alone in their pursuit of a better life through education,” said Eli Valdez, degree audit specialist and co-chair of the celebration. “On the home page of the firstgen.nmsu.edu website, there’s a video montage in English and Spanish demonstrating how our first-gen students are going beyond financial rewards by honoring their pasts and creating new futures for themselves, their families and communities.”
Other NMSU campuses are also participating in this initiative:
– Doña Ana Community College will host its event on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. at DACC Gadsden Center in Anthony with testimonials from students as well as food, mariachi performances, games and prizes.
– NMSU Grants’ celebration is set for Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring student stories along with free food and T-shirts.
– NMSU Alamogordo will hold its First-Generation Day on Thursday, Nov. 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., including a panel discussion with faculty staff and students sharing experiences plus free items such as buttons T-shirts cookout-inspired food served by F&J Burgers food truck.
First-generation members of NMSU’s community—including alumni—will be highlighted through features in NMSU’s Hotline newsletter as well as posts on social media channels.
For more details about these events or support services for first-generation students at NMSU contact Marko Mohlenhoff (markom@nmsu.edu) or Eli Valdez (evaldez1@nmsu.edu).
