Edmonds CC, CWU-Lynnwood celebrate second annual First-Generation College Student Week

Edmonds Community College and Central Washington University-Lynnwood joined Nov. 6-8 to celebrate the second annual First-Generation College Student Week. The event was part of a national celebration that occurs on the anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965. 

“As a community college, we take pride in welcoming all who come to our campus,” said Edmonds CC President Dr. Amit B. Singh. “We are especially proud of our first-generation students, whose voices and contributions enrich our campus and classrooms.”

Jerod Grant, a first-generation college student who spoke at last year’s event, returned to facilitate discussions with students and alumni. At the “First-Gen Vibes” mocktail happy hour, students, faculty, and staff socialized and networked. The week ended with a discussion group where people could share stories about their experiences as first-generation students.

“This event is important because it confronts the history of exclusion in higher education,” said Dana Parker, assistant director of the Edmonds CC TRIO program. “It tells a new story about who belongs and who can be successful in college.”

“I’m not the first in my family to attend college, but I am the first to stay more than a year in college, to have continued throughout the hard times, financial instability, and multiple moves,” said Swan Meza, Edmonds CC student and campus event programmer. “I feel honored to have planned an event that showed first-generation students they are not alone.”

First-generation students can find year-round support at Edmonds CC through the TRIO program, Center for Student Leadership and Engagement, the Center for Student Cultural Diversity Inclusion, and other programs.

First-Generation College Student Week committee members included: Dennis Denman, associate director of the Edmonds CC Center for Student Engagement and Leadership; Meza; Parker; and Natalia Thomas, CWU-Lynnwood student services generalist. The event was sponsored by the Associated Students of Edmonds CC, Edmonds CC Equity and Inclusion Division, and Edmonds CC Foundation.

To learn more about resources for first-generation students, contact Parker at dana.parker@edmonds.edu or 425.640.1131.