El Camino College joined other college and university campuses across the country to participate in First-Gen Awareness Week, Nov. 4-8. The celebration of first-generation students, staff, and faculty included a First-Gen STEM Luncheon for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, and a First-Gen Faculty Panel & Student Mixer, where panelists shared their personal first-gen stories. "First-Gen Warrior Wednesday" invited all employees and students to show their First-Gen pride by wearing their El Camino College first-gen gear. Nearly 51% of El Camino College students identify as being first in their family to pursue a four-year degree.
Recognized as a national leader in supporting first-generation students, El Camino College is the only community college in the nation to be a part of the leadership component in First Forward, a program sponsored by The Center for First-generation Student Success, which works to increase the success of first-generation college students. An "Advisory Institution" participant in the inaugural cohort of First Forward Institutions, ECC is also the only campus out of the 115 California community colleges to participate in this new and innovative program. Thank you to the First Year Experience program and the First-Gen Task Force for coordinating the week's events. Counselors Cynthia Mosqueda and Seranda Bray, and English professor Darrell Thompson led the week's efforts.
Our distinctive First-Gen Initiative provides vitally important support and guidance. Watch as first-gen El Camino College students share their stories in this report from Inside California Education. For more information about first-generation programs and activities at El Camino College, view http://www.elcamino.edu/student/academicsupport/first-gen-institute/.