Augusta University celebrates first-generation students with campus events 

First-generation students at Augusta University celebrated their journey in higher education through events hosted by Multicultural Student Engagement on the Summerville Campus for National First-Generation College Celebration Day.

Held on Nov. 8, the day honored the signing of the 1965 Higher Education Act, which created federal financial aid programs to fund students’ educations and boosted funding for colleges and universities.    

MSE teamed up with campus partners for a tabling event outside the Jaguar Student Activities Center. Sierra Sasha Webber, MSE coordinator, valued the opportunity to collaborate with other departments including the Office of Financial Aid, First and Second Year Experiences and Academic Advisement.

For Webber, this event was about spreading awareness and connecting students with resources to discuss their college experience.    

First-generation students were also invited for a brunch on Nov. 9 to network with other students, faculty, staff and community partners. AU President Russell T. Keen attended this special event to show support and share his experience as a first-generation college graduate himself.

As the keynote speaker, Keen shared words of encouragement, urging students to lean on one another, ask for help and embrace their unique experiences as first-generation students.  

“All of us come from different backgrounds, beliefs and upbringings, but being the first tells me that you have a healthy appetite within you,” Keen said. “You have to keep that appetite because success isn’t the end. Success breeds complacency and comfort if you’re not hungry. One of the many attributes of first-generation students that strengthen a campus community is resilience. We need you here. You’re brilliant; you’re resourceful. You’re the ones who stood up amidst everything around you being one way, and you chose a different path.”  

Keen also shared a story of a gold miner who gave up on digging just three feet from striking gold.  

“I would tell you that while walking across the stage with your degree may not just be three feet away, you have to keep putting one foot in front of another,” Keen said. “You cannot stop. You have to keep going.”  

Vanessa Beswick, a second-year student majoring in psychology, was the student speaker at the brunch. Beswick serves as a Student Government Association senator and spoke on not only her own college experience but also the lessons learned throughout her time on campus.  

She emphasized that, while each student’s journey is unique, it is important to remember that the journey is yours and not someone else’s. Many students want to follow a certain path and declare a certain major to make their family proud, but she advised students to stay true to themselves and pave their own way. 

“I am very proud of each and every one of you here today,” Beswick said. “You’ve helped your family, you’ve gotten through high school and now you stand in college as a first-generation student. Again, I am so happy for everyone here. Please remember to always take one step at a time because you’re doing great. You have this.” 

Mikelle Smith, a first-year undergraduate student majoring in biology, is a first-generation student selected as a recipient of the Augusta Promise Scholarship Program, a start-to-finish program that covers institutional costs and provides first-generation students the tools they need to succeed, such as mentorship, tutoring, counseling and other individual guidance.  

“Events like these bring light to first-gen students, and just the fact that it’s a whole day where we can go and celebrate together is just a joy,” said Smith. “It’s just enjoyable to be around other first-gens and be able to relate on that common ground and have those bonds together.”    

She finds it important to celebrate National First-Generation College Celebration Day because it brings awareness to a student group that may not have the same knowledge or resources as others.   

Jade Gatt, a second-year undergraduate student majoring in chemistry, shared similar sentiments, noting that while people often celebrate college achievements, the path to a degree can be challenging. Events that especially highlight first-generation students provide them with the community and support that helps them in their college journey.   

Gatt primarily built her support network through the Multicultural Mentorship Program, a peer mentoring program designed and designated for students from any underrepresented identity.

“There’s definitely a lot of people who can help you at AU,” said Gatt. “Through MMP, my mentor helps me a lot, and she’ll point me to the right resources, like my CAPE director and success team. I think it’s important to know that you have these people but that you also have to be proactive and reach out when you need help.”   

The MSE Office will continue programming for first-generation students in the spring semester, including the launch of Alpha Alpha Alpha, a first-generation honor society.