Since 2017, colleges and universities across the country have celebrated first-generation students, faculty, and staff. National First-Generation College Celebration day was selected for November 8 to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. HEA ushered in programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, necessary for postsecondary access, retention, and completion for low-income, potential first-generation college graduates. This year, November 9th – 13th is First-Generation College Celebration week.
Learn more about First-Generation College Celebration week
The Center for Multicultural Educational Opportunities (CMEO) housed in the College of Education has been helping vulnerable student populations succeed in higher education for more than 30 years. Through the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) programs, limited-income and first-generation college students are served. CMEO also helps students make informed career choices, exposes them to cultural events and to academic programs that would be otherwise unavailable, and peer mentoring opportunities.
Learn more about the Center for Multicultural Educational Opportunities
Gabriela Roggy
Through the McNair Scholars Program, Gabriela Roggy found her passion for justice, the internal drive to pursue a master degree and, ultimately, a law degree after she graduates from Boise State with a bachelor degree in criminal justice and minor in sociology next spring.
The McNair Scholars Program aims to increase the number of university students from working-class and underrepresented backgrounds in the doctoral and advanced degree pipeline.
Mateso Ngoja
A strong desire to enrich his life with knowledge and an eye toward college led Mateso Ngoja to the TRIO Rising Scholars program in high school so he could access mentorship and support he would need to succeed as a refugee and first-generation student. Determined not to be limited while learning a new language, Ngoja embraced education as a path to reaching his goals and helping others reach theirs. Now at Boise State studying business, Ngoja works at the Student Equity Center, helping to organize and volunteer for events and trainings that foster dialogue and cultural understanding like the International Food, Song and Dance Festival and Cesar Chavez Memorial Week.
Zahraa Alomar
Zahraa Alomar is achieving her dreams and making her family proud as a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in biology. At just 18 years old, Alomar is already a junior and involved in the plasma medicine project at Boise State. The project studies a device that produces cold atmospheric plasma, which kills and removes bacteria and biofilms from wounds, food, and food processing equipment.
Robyn Johnson
Robyn Johnson is a first-generation student excelling at her second chance in college. The TRIO Teacher Prep program is a crucial part of her success story as a future teacher pursuing her bachelor degree in Elementary Education.
The TRIO Teacher Prep program’s goal is to encourage and support first-generation students, limited income students, or students who have a disability to pursue and attain an undergraduate degree in education.
Jessica Warth
Jessica Warth always dreamed of attending Boise State, but faced economic challenges coming from a large family an the first in her family to attend college. When she decided the time was right, TRIO Teacher Prep was there to support Warth as she embarked on her journey as a first-generation student to become a teacher.
The TRIO Teacher Prep program’s goal is to encourage and support first-generation students, limited income students, or students who have a disability to pursue and attain an undergraduate degree in education.
Rabia Zahid
Initially unsure of herself as a first-generation student, Zahid is not only excelling in her undergraduate studies in psychology, she’s a research assistant and has completed an internship with the College Bound Program at the International Rescue Committee and is president of the Psi Chi Chapter at Boise State.
Rabia Zahid found success at Boise State with the support of the McNair Scholars program. The program’s goal is to increase the number of students from working class and underrepresented backgrounds in the advanced and doctoral degree pipeline.