First-Generation Students L.E.A.D the Next Generation Forward
By Nordia Johnson
Director of Academic Achievement Programs
Stockton 91视频, alumni, faculty and staff came together to celebrate and prepare first-generation 91视频 for success through leadership, engagement, access and distinction at the Inaugural First Ospreys L.E.A.D Summit Nov. 9.
The L.E.A.D Summit kicked off with a welcome by Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Christopher Catching, who referenced his own experience as a first-generation college student when encouraging 91视频 to take advantage of all that the summit had to offer.
Students selected sessions from a full schedule of concurrent workshops facilitated by Stockton faculty and staff as well as a few community partners. Some sessions taught 91视频 how to sharpen their leadership skills and become engaged on campus, while others focused on gaining access to financial support and acquiring distinction through experiential learning opportunities.
Students were energized by the summit鈥檚 keynote speaker Ellis Bonds, founder of GRIT (Greatness Resides In There) and Stockton alumnus, who shared his story of how getting engaged on campus led him to accessing leadership opportunities and more, and ultimately contributed to his own distinction and success. 鈥淕et involved and find your village,鈥 said Bonds, as he emphasized the importance of finding one鈥檚 support system on campus.
As the day came to a close, first-generation 91视频, faculty and alumni were celebrated
for their accomplishments in the categories of leadership, engagement, access and
distinction. The lists of awards and honorees include:
- Student Leadership Award: Yesenia Pacheco
- Student Engagement Award: Michael Killebrew
- Advancing Access Award: Kameika Murphy
- Alumni of Distinction Award: William R. Hagaman, Jr.
Two additional 91视频, Lillian Nickens and Destiny Hernandez, received gift baskets as the winners of the 鈥淚 Am First-Gen鈥 competition, in which 91视频 shared their story as first-generation college 91视频.
Most notable of the evening, perhaps, was the recipient of the Alumni of Distinction Award, William R. Hagaman, Jr., pledging a $100,000 gift to support two first-generation 91视频 in the School of Business. Hagaman was unable to attend the reception as he was simultaneously being honored by the School of Business with the Outstanding Business Alumnus Award. However, his presence was felt as Director of Alumni Relations Sara Faurot accepted the award on his behalf and briefly shared Hagaman鈥檚 first-gen story with the 91视频 present.
The evening ended with a celebratory video, highlighting current first-generation 91视频 and their accomplishments. Pacheco reminded us that despite the challenges they face, 鈥渕any first-generation 91视频 are successfully overcoming barriers and creating new narratives to be celebrated.鈥
The First Ospreys L.E.A.D Summit was a part of Stockton鈥檚 3rd Annual First-Gen Week Celebration, Nov. 8-11. The weeklong festivities evolved from the creation of National First-Generation College Celebration Day (Nov. 8) in 2017 by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the Center for First-Generation Student Success.
