National First-Generation College Celebration Day was Friday, November 8, 2024.
But, because it’s such an important accomplishment and experience of so many SUNY Old Westbury students who currently attend or have graduated from campus, the Old Westbury Student Success team spent three days that week recognizing the experience of those who are the first in their family to attend college.
“Approximately 30 percent of our student body this year are people who are the first in their family to attend college,” said Dr. Cristina Notaro, assistant provost for student success. “That shouldn’t be a surprise, as ours is a campus with a long history of empowering first-generation students through education and helping them create the life and career they want for themselves and their loved ones.”
Two events were highlights of the campus’ celebration: The I AM FIRST forum and the First-Gen Dialogue.
I AM FIRST was centered around photo opportunities. All first-generation students, along with faculty and staff who were first in their families to attend college also, took pictures and selfies with first-gen themed signs and accessories and then decorated frames for the Polaroids taken that day.
“Too often, first-gen individuals feel unseen or misunderstood,” said Maribel Cordero-Garcia, the University’s first-generation student specialist. “The purpose of the I AM FIRST photoshoot was to give first-gen individuals the opportunity to be seen.”
The First-Gen Dialogue, titled “Sweet Sips and Success Stories,” featured a panel offering viewpoints from the student, faculty, staff and alumni perspective. The panelists were Chrisline Boyer a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work who is also a TRIO ambassador; Betty Berbari, assistant dean for the School of Arts and Sciences; Lisa B. Zanders, EOP counselor; and Angela Smith-Mackey, ’85 Management Information Systems who is associate director of data anlytc mthd. enterprise-wide tools & infrastructure for Pratt & Whitney.
“I have my family tell me at the start of every year what they want to accomplish,’ Smith-Mackey told the students. “Find somebody to hold you accountable so that you accomplish and execute your plan.”
Additional advice offered by the panelists included taking advantage of the resources and help available on campus, and investigating and participating in networking opportunities.
“I hope that by listening to the stories and advice from our panelists, our audience walked away feeling more empowered, equipped, and inspired to keep moving forward, knowing they have a community behind them,” said Cordero.
Banner Photo Caption: Students talking to the members of the First-Gen Dialogue after the panel talk.