‘I’m a First’ Initiative

The Office of Institutional Diversity defines First-Generation as:

If you are an HMC student, faculty, or staff member for whom:

  • Neither parent/guardian graduated from a four-year college. This means that you are part of the first generation in your family to attend a four-year college/university to attain a bachelor’s degree.
  • Neither parent/guardian completed a four-year college degree in the United States.
  • Only one parent/guardian completed a four-year college degree in the United States.

The goals of this initiative are:

  • To create awareness of first-generation students, staff and faculty on campus.
  • To provide a sense of connection, access and encouragement for first-gen students by sharing faculty and staff stories and first-generation resources.
  • To foster connection and community among first-generation faculty and staff through online resources and gatherings.
  • To provide resources including research literature, current articles and educational opportunities for campus departments and organizations to build on these connections for outreach and student success.

Programs Include:

First Gen+ Conversations

Dinner conversations to build community; with purposeful topics and guided reflection to help develop personal tools to work through issues and barriers that First-Gen+ scholars may encounter in college. Conversations are led by Dr. Lisette Sanchez, (she/her/ella), a bilingual and bicultural psychologist, insightful writer, and dynamic speaker. Workshop topics include navigating family expectations and guilt associated with being away at college, imposter phenomenon and more.

First-Gen+ Socials and Study Hours

In collaboration with FLISHMC, socials and study hours are held to support the First-Gen+ community with a space to connect, decompress, discuss issues related to college and personal development and support each other as scholars.

First-Gen+ Support

First Gen+ Scholars can meet with OID Associate Dean, Veronica Clairmont to discuss concerns, questions or barriers that they may be experiencing in college. A personal development plan may be created and could involve being connected to other campus and TCCS resources to help students reach their personal, professional and academic goals.

Click here to schedule an appointment.