Our National First Gen Student Day event on November 1 was a celebration of the resilience of our first-generation students here at SEU. The event brought together first-gen students, staff, faculty and student leaders to highlight the support systems and resources available to help them succeed. It was a day of empowerment and recognition — reminding our first-gen students that they are seen and supported. There was a great turnout, with a strong presence from both students and faculty.
The event took place along El Prado, where campus resources like First Year Experience and Center for Wellness Education set up camp to provide helpful information. These tables were aimed specifically to help students to be encouraged, get connected, and gather the resources needed to thrive academically, socially, personally, and spiritually here at SEU.
For many first-gen students, the event was a comforting reminder of the support they have access to and the significance of being in an invested community.
One student shared, “First-gens are said to have less support than non-first-gen students, so the way that SEU shows up means so much. It pushes us to succeed and teaches us life skills that we might not have known about without the support from SEU.”
Other students agreed, reflecting on their appreciation of the SEU community.
”I can trust that my peers, as well as campus leaders, staff, and faculty are here to help me in any way. They put so much effort into contributing to our success, and to ensuring we graduate from SEU with more confidence than when we came.”
The National First-Gen Student Day event also celebrated the strength and perseverance of those navigating higher education without the guidance of a family legacy.
One supportive family member shared, “The event was a great opportunity to highlight and recognize these students, and I think it means a lot to know that we are here for them.”
If you’re a first-generation college student here at SEU, don’t miss out on future events like this one! It’s a great opportunity to connect with others and be celebrated by your college community.
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