ISU TRIO program will recognize students Nov. 7-8 at National First Generation College Student Day

TRIO representatives will be in the Pond Student Union from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 7 and 8 handing out First-Generation College Student Pins and talking pictures to place on the national first-generation movement page #celebratefirstgen.

The concept of "first-generation" students was introduced into federal policy by the TRIO community in 1980, during passage of the Higher Education Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965. Yet, even in 2017, campuses and communities are too often blind to the academic capabilities and gifts that lie dormant within so many first-generation students.

TRIO educators continue to be called upon to highlight the return on investment our country receives from providing first-generation students with an opportunity to reach their full potential through college. 

In response, the COE Board, in partnership with NASPA — Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and other higher education organizations, is asking college access and success professionals to join with TRIO's programs across the country for the First Annual First-Generation College Celebration on Nov. 8, the 52nd anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965. For more information on this event visit http://www.coenet.org/first-generation.shtml.

TRIO will encourage people to wear their pins on Nov. 8 and beyond to continue the dialogue about what it means to be the first in your family to graduate college.