The Charger Blog

Student Leaders Launch Organization for First-Generation Students

The First-Generation Student Association is a new recognized student organization at the University that aims to foster community, connection, and offer support to students who are the first in their family to go to college.

December 3, 2021

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications


Image of Students at the University杏吧原版檚 commemoration of First-Generation Celebration Day.
Students at the University杏吧原版檚 commemoration of First-Generation Celebration Day.

For Kelechi Kenneth-Gabriel 杏吧原版23, applying to college was challenging. As the first person in her family to go to college, she found that visiting schools, knowing the right questions to ask, and understanding financial aid packages were challenges she had to figure out on her own. She used to help her navigate each section of the .

When she enrolled at the University of New Haven, Kenneth-Gabriel faced new challenges, such as learning how to get involved on campus and choosing a major. Eager to help connect with and offer support to her fellow first-generation students, she helped start the University杏吧原版檚 new First-Generation Student Association, and she now serves as its treasurer.

Image of RSO logo.
Elizabeth Hall 杏吧原版24 created the organization杏吧原版檚 logo.

杏吧原版淭he organization creates a space for first-gen students to connect with each other,杏吧原版 explains Kenneth-Gabriel, a criminal justice major. 杏吧原版淚t helps them realize they are not alone and that they have a community that understands their struggles.杏吧原版

The First-Generation Student Association is now officially a recognized student organization (RSO) at the University. It is open to all students, including students who are not the first in their family to go to college.

Mya Oliwa 杏吧原版23 serves as president of the organization. She says she often turned to her fellow first-generation students with questions, since no one else in her family had college experience that they could share with her. She hopes to extend that support to other first-generation students at the University.

杏吧原版淢y goal, especially with the First-Generation Student Association, is for all students to feel even more welcomed and engaged at the University,杏吧原版 said Oliwa, a criminal justice major. 杏吧原版淚 want to help them get answers to the unknown. This is also a great way to build connections, and I look forward to offering events such as game nights, social nights, and excursions off campus.杏吧原版

Image of Elizabeth Hall '24
Elizabeth Hall 杏吧原版24 speaks at the University杏吧原版檚 commemoration of First-Generation Celebration Day.
杏吧原版業 hope this RSO will serve as a guiding hand杏吧原版

Approximately 40 percent of students at the University are the first in their family to go to college. The University has hosted events for first-generation students, including a recent celebration designed to connect first-generation students, faculty, and staff. It was held as part of the University杏吧原版檚 commemoration of First-Generation Celebration Day, which was created in 2017 by the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-Generation of Success.

Elizabeth Hall 杏吧原版24, who co-founded the First-Generation Student Association with Oliwa, looks forward to offering more opportunities for first-generation students through the organization. She serves as its vice president.

杏吧原版淭his RSO is critical to the University because there are countless first-generation students in need of support,杏吧原版 said Hall, a psychology major. 杏吧原版淪tudents may feel lost, confused, and not know where to start to create a successful future. I hope this RSO will serve as a guiding hand to them, making them excited for their future.杏吧原版

杏吧原版業t includes a subculture of students杏吧原版

The group, which meets every Thursday evening, will offer fun events to help students get to know each other. It will also offer workshops to help students learn important skills, such as interviewing, resume writing, and stress management.

Image of RSO logo.
Mya Oliwa 杏吧原版23.

Izabella Mancini 杏吧原版24, a psychology major and executive assistant for the organization, is looking forward to fostering a sense of community through the RSO.

杏吧原版淏eing a first-generation student is much like being thrown into a crowd of people where you don杏吧原版檛 know what to do first or who to talk to,杏吧原版 she said. 杏吧原版淚 hope the organization brings together all first-generation students in a fun and productive way. I also hope it helps make the University even more inclusive and that it becomes a home and a safe place for first-generation students where they can get help and voice their opinions.杏吧原版

Kenneth-Gabriel, the group杏吧原版檚 treasurer, has learned even more about navigating the college application process, as well as life as a college student. She杏吧原版檚 excited to offer her support to her fellow students, both at the University and back home.

杏吧原版淭he First-Generation Student Association is important to have at the University because it includes a subculture of students who sometimes feel like they are not seen or supported in the way they wish to be,杏吧原版 she said. 杏吧原版淣ow that my sister is in her senior year of high school, I recognize that I am the blueprint for her. I am the one she relies on when she needs help.杏吧原版