Pictured from LTR: Raul Sagrero Gaona, Cecilia Rodriguez, Elizabeth Alvarez Mendoza, Cheyanne Ortiz, Shanti Rosales, Mayra Valencia, Tamiya Mitchell, Carlos Urenda, and Kayla Kepa.
Written by Maureen Brakke
MONMOUTH, Ore. –First-generation college students play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their communities, bringing unique perspectives and resilience to their educational journeys. Western Oregon University prides itself on being a first-generation friendly place, with 47 percent of its student body identifying as first-generation college students with tailored services and resources designed to meet their specific needs.
Every year, universities nationwide celebrate First-Generation Student Day on November 8. This year, Western is dedicating an entire week of workshops and activities to highlight the experiences of first-generation students and celebrate their contributions to the campus community, from November 4 through November 8. Themes throughout the week include financial literacy, basic needs, mental health awareness, TRIO programs, finding support systems, and career readiness. On November 8 at 9 a.m., keynote speaker Mohammed Soriana-Bilal, an acclaimed poet, music, and video producer, and currently the associate dean and director of the Office for Inclusion, Belonging, and Intergroup Communication at Stanford University, will conclude the week with an impactful presentation.
“Many first-generation college students hold intersectional identities; whether they come from an underrepresented background or one that is well represented–from all backgrounds, no experience is the same. The commonality is sharing the experience of being the first in our families to do something that has not been done before,” said Dana Nunez Silva, first-generation coordinator. “Taking that initiative is courageous and is oftentimes tied to wanting to make our families proud, break generational cycles, and have a better future. That intrinsic motivation is what I believe is a superpower of first-gen students.” Nunez-Silva also emphasizes that with such a large first-gen population at Western, it is everyone’s responsibility to dedicate specialized support to these students and to recognize their achievements and hard work.
To celebrate the upcoming First-Generation College Student Week, first-generation college students at Western share their current college journey and what being a “first-gen” student means to them. Tamiya Mitchell, a psychology major shares that she understands the struggles and hardships students face when coming to college. “Leaving home and exploring a new place is terrifying for many, but being a first-gen student means facing the unknown head-on.” Cheyanne Ortiz, a social and political science major agrees that “Being a first-generation student means learning how to navigate the challenges of pursuing an academic career and discovering who you want to be in the end.”
Criminal justice major Kayla Kepa shares that being a first-gen student means having a path to achieve her dreams while showing her siblings and family that it is possible to break the cycle and create a better future. She adds that she chose to attend Western for its great opportunities in work and education and it feels like home. “Coming from Hawai’i, homesickness is real, but I am ready to face the challenge for the sake of my family, my future, and my dreams.”
Mayra Valencia, an education major, is a great example to her family. She shares that being a first-generation Latina student at Western is very significant to her. She wants to do her part in honoring her parents’ and ancestors’ sacrifices and thanking those who believe in her. “I want to continue challenging myself and hope to inspire my children and future generations. It’s not about being another number but representing, serving others, and preparing to become who I was meant to be. Hispanics and Latinos have and will continue to enrich all facets of American society!”
Western’s new Student Success Center, which stands on the site of the Old Education Building, will officially open in January 2025. Designed with a focus on creating an inclusive and supportive environment, this center will be a one-stop shop for students, particularly first-generation college students. From a math tutoring center, a student advising center, a career center, to a Disability Access Services office, the center will serve as a comprehensive support hub. It will house Western’s two college-level federal TRIO SSS programs, which serve first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities. There will also be a dedicated area for first-generation students called the First-Gen Center, which will provide a welcoming space for students to connect and find community.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
