Montana State to celebrate first-generation community with event series

BOZEMAN - Montana State University will host a series of events leading up to National First-Generation College Celebration Day on Nov. 8, recognizing MSU's first-generation students, staff and faculty.

"By celebrating first-gen students, we showcase the incredible things they bring to the campus community and demonstrate that first-gen students belong at MSU," said Mackenzie Spence, chair of MSU's First-Generation Committee and program coordinator for TRIO Support Services.

First-generation students are those whose parents did not receive a four-year college degree. MSU is home to 3,033 first-generation students, including 244 graduate students and 2,789 undergraduates. About 18% of MSU's total undergraduate population and 12% of MSU's graduate students identify as first-generation.

Many first-generation students start college without the institutional knowledge of family members before them, but MSU provides a support system to help such students succeed, including a guide to Bozeman, dozens of scholarships and campus organizations.

TRIO, for example, provides federally funded mentoring, career coaching and programming for historically underrepresented students. MSU's First-Generation Students Association and First-Generation Committee also help students find resources and a sense of community.

To celebrate MSU's first-generation community, the university will hold the following events ahead of National First-Generation College Celebration Day.

First-Generation Book Club: Session One - 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, in Renne Library 324. The First-Generation Committee and the Center for Faculty Excellence will host a book club session for pages 1-142 of "Rising Class: How Three First-Generation College Students Conquered Their First Year." To register for each session, visit the MSU Calendar.

Famous First-Generation Display - Nov. 1 through Nov. 30 in the Strand Union Building, Room 268.

First-Generation Photo Exhibition - Nov. 1 through Nov. 30 in the Renne Library. The library will display photographs highlighting students, faculty and staff's interpretations of what it means to be first-generation students.

National First-Generation College Celebration Kickoff - 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, on Malone Centennial Mall. Snacks, drinks, photo props and more will be provided. The event will be held in the Renne Library if there is poor weather.

First-Generation Speed Networking - 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the SUB, rooms 233 and 235. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.

Supporting First-Generation Students at MSU Training - 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, in SUB Ballroom D. Through a student panel, participants will learn what a first-generation college student is, national and local trends of this demographic and how to support first-generation college students at MSU. Registration is required.

First-Generation Career Insights Workshops - 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5. First-generation professionals and MSU employees will provide insight into multiple career paths.

• Pre-medicine: Harrison Hall, Room 115
• Pre-law: Herrick Hall, Room 314
• Pre-veterinary medicine: Harrison Hall, Room 107
• Business: American Indian Hall, Room 102
• Nursing: Hamilton Hall, Room 228

First-Generation Workshop with Carlos Gómez - Noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. At the invitation-only event, first-generation Bobcats will connect with Carlos Andrés Gómez, a Colombian American poet, speaker, actor and educator from New York City. He has won more than 100 prizes, honors and awards.

First-Generation Book Club: Session Two - 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, in Renne Library 324. The First-Generation Committee and the Center for Faculty Excellence will host a book club session for pages 143-264 of "Rising Class: How Three First-Generation College Students Conquered Their First Year."

First-Generation College Celebration Showcase - 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, in Jabs Hall's atrium. First-generation students will present their research, artwork, music, poetry and more. Students interested in presenting must fill out a form by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

First-Generation Book Club: Session Three - 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in Renne Library 324. The First-Generation Committee and the Center for Faculty Excellence will host a book club session for pages 265-336 of "Rising Class: How Three First-Generation College Students Conquered Their First Year."

For more information, visit https://www.montana.edu/firstgen/nationalfirstgenerationday or contact Spence at [email protected].