By: Tommy Hartman

FAYETTEVILLE Ark. (UATV) – First Generation Student Week takes place every year during the first full week of November as national first generation college student 

The week kicked off on Monday with TRIO takeover event at the 6th floor of the Arkansas Union from 10 AM-Noon. 

CJ Mathis has been with the TRIO program since 2021 and TRIO has admitted 300 students in the program, which broke record. 

Mathis currently serves as the director of retention outreach, a position he held since 2022.

“were funded to serve 300 students cause generally of those 300 students at least two thirds of them have to be first generation, I would say right now were at 220 students.” Mathis said

Mathis says students who have disabilities qualify for the TRIO Program as they have to meet one of the eligibility criteria.

“students who meet two or more are prioritized for the enrollment process.” Mathis said

First Generation Students also have the opportunity to get senior photos taken at Old Main on Monday through Thursday.

The tradition started last semester and this will be the first fall for first generation graduates to have their photos taken.  

Seniors can make an appointment to take photos through Hog Sync.

Trayvious Brown, a Graduate Assisstant, helps with the Transition and Initiatives department says last semester was a sucess.

“I’d say other students an opportunity especially for first generation students to graduate and to have those photos.” Brown Said

First Generation Student week will wrap with the National First Generation College Student Day Celebration, it will take place from 11 AM to 1 PM in the Union Flag Room.