UIW Hosts Annual First-Gen Celebration

In 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the Center for First-Generation Student Success launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration. Since then, colleges and universities across the country have been invited to participate in celebrating the achievements of first-generation college students, highlighting their resilience, dedication, and impact on higher education.

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, UIW hosted its third annual First-Generation Celebration to honor the achievements of the first-generation community, as well as inform attendees about the support resources available to students pursuing a four-year degree.

Campus leaders who are first-generation college graduates, including Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI, vice president for Mission and Ministry, and Dr. Dimitri Tamalis, interim provost of UIW attended the event to show their support for the next generation. Additionally, many UIW first-generation students were welcomed to speak at the celebration, sharing their personal experiences of being the first in their families to navigate higher education.

"I've faced a lot of uncertainty and confusion about navigating college life, but over time those struggles have turned into strengths that have helped me relate to guide and support others in certain situations," said Galilea Garcia, Student Government Association president and peer mentor. "I understand the weight of being the first in my family to pursue this path, and that motivates me to help others. As a peer mentor, I bring that same sense of purpose. Being first gen has made me very aware of how important it is to have community and support networks."

Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from this year's guest speaker, Dr. Amanda Roberts, a UIW alumna who currently serves as the academic program director for the Center of Excellence for Mathematics at St. Philip's College. Roberts has remained heavily involved with UIW, holding positions such as president of the UIW Alumni Board Association, UIW board of trustees member and a member of the Swing-In committee.

During her time at UIW, Roberts found that there were three things that helped to keep her motivated and successful: networking within the community for expansive opportunities, staying encouraged while in pursuit of her goals and being open to lifelong learning. All of these skills helped her feel capable of achieving her academic goals as a first-generation student.

"Learning is not only for college," shared Roberts. "You're going to learn about your choice major, but it's important to continue to learn beyond that. Don't stop there."

The celebration was concluded with a prayer led by Sr. Walter, CCVI. "As students at the University of the Incarnate Word who are first generation, you belong to the long tradition of the Incarnation, where we come and make God present in our reality. That is what you have demonstrated in the sharing of your gifts and talents, and how you have served not only yourselves, your family and this community, but also the community around the world."

Click here to read about UIW's First-Gen resource center.