On Nov. 8, Baldwin Wallace University hosted its third-annual First-Generation National Celebration.
“First-generation programming is emerging as its own set of programmatic spaces across all colleges and universities,” Timeka Rashid, outgoing vice president of student affairs, said. “National First Gen Day is a simultaneous programmatic initiative across a lot of colleges and universities.”
The event featured a panel of first-generation alumni who spoke not only about their experiences at BW, but also where they are now and what they are doing with their careers.
Regina Jolly Espenschied, a first-gen intern and graduate intern for leadership in higher education at BW, explained how first gen students make up 30% of the student body on campus, and deserve to have a transformative experience on campus just as any other student.
“It’s really important for us to make an effort to make sure first-gen, as an identity and as a group on campus, is supported, to make sure that our entire campus is getting the benefit of having first-gen students here,” Espenschied said.
The first-generation resources on campus are not only intended for first-generation students, but for any students seeking guidance or struggling with the transition from high school to college.
Jayanti Upadhyay, junior biology and chemistry double major and external communications lead for the First-Gen Advisory Council, said those who attended the event on Nov. 8 were impacted and provided more knowledge about first generation students on campus.
The First Gen Advisory Council holds events throughout the semester and is also in the process of creating a First-Generation Club, which Upadhyay would like to see come to fruition before she graduates.
“Being a part of the council has given me a way to just take charge and work with other first-gen students on the council and make a better community for first-gen students here,” Upadhyay said.
Rashid explained that the programming for the first-gen event had the purpose of leaving those in attendance with an idea of how to support and connect with students.
“The focus was to celebrate first gen students, first and foremost,” Rashid said, “allowing them to understand the experiences of those who came before them with their alumni panel and to connect and meet and feel empowered when they walk away with resources and opportunity of how they can continue to grow as a leader on this campus.”
Espenschied brought it back to one of the university’s founders, and she said that John Baldwin started the university to be supportive of middle and working-class families.
“We had a really strong reputation of being a place where people could come and we would provide a nurturing environment,” Espenschied said, “… I feel the Nov. 8 event, as well as other events we do every day, are just a reflection of John Baldwin’s call to provide opportunities for everyone.”
