[media-credit id=123 align=”alignleft” width=”200″][/media-credit]

Colorado Mesa University honored first generation students on Thursday, Nov. 8. TRiO Student Support Services hosted a barbecue from noon-1 p.m. in the Plaza. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks were served at the barbecue. Universities and colleges across the nation were also honoring their first generation students on this day as well. For CMU, this was the second year of honoring these students. Last year they held a small event, but this year they decided to include the entire campus.

First generation students are students who are the first in their immediate families to have completed their college degrees or are currently working towards receiving those degrees. That would mean that neither of their parents have college degrees.

Here at CMU, 44% of the students are first generation students. CMU refers to these students as the “Fearless First”. If faculty and staff are included, it is 55%.

[media-credit name=”Courtesy of TRiO” align=”aligncenter” width=”187″][/media-credit]
[media-credit id=123 align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]

TRiO Director Melissa Calhoon is a first-generation student herself. “We are here to help first-generation students change the future trajectory of their life,” Calhoon said.

“The TRiO Student Support Services program at CMU is an important resource for first-generation students that helps them complete their journeys,” Dr. Aparna Palmer, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs for Student and Faculty Success, said.

[media-credit id=123 align=”alignright” width=”200″][/media-credit]

Several students have received academic support, financial planning, and professional and personal development from TRiO, according to Palmer.