by Lauren Krakau
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Student Affairs invites the campus community to “I’m First” to celebrate their second annual National First-Generation College Celebration.
“I’m First” aims to recognize and celebrate the students, faculty and staff members who identify as first-generation at the University of Arkansas as well as to highlight resources on campus that work to support first-generation college students.
UofA Senior, Juan Moscoso said there is a lot of struggles being a first-generation college student.
“One side puts pressure on me to do well,” said Moscoso. ” And the other side is that I am really supported by my family because they did not get the same opportunities.”
During the event, stickers will be available for first-generation students, first-generation graduates, and others who support the first-generation college student population.
With these stickers, New Student and Family Programs hopes to show how large the population of first-generation students, graduates, and supporters is at the U of A and to show all first-generation students that they are welcomed in the campus community.
The event will also include a wall where members of the first-generation population can share why being a first-generation college student is important to them.
Moscoco said the most important thing about being a college student is all that he has accomplished.
“I had to pay for college on my own through scholarships,” said Moscoso. “None of my family knew how to show me how to apply for them, I paid all on my own. ”
“I’m First” is this Thursday from 11:30 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge.
Moscoso said it is great the university is celebrating a day that means so much to him.
“I’m doing fine in school, all of my own, not knowing what to do or expect,” he said. “It is nice to know that the university acknowledges that.”