The NMSU system will host the first generation ceremonies in November

At New Mexico State University, approximately 30% of students are first-generation college students. This November, campuses across the NMSU system will celebrate first-generation college students, faculty, staff and families.

On the Las Cruces campus, NMSU’s sixth annual First Generation Celebration will highlight first-generation college students and graduates throughout the month, with a table event in the Corbett Center Student Union on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m organize. Lobby floor. A First Generation Proclamation of the City of Las Cruces will be presented at 10:15 a.m

Departments across campus will participate in the celebration, which will also include first-generation information, cookies, t-shirts and photo props.

“For every first-generation student who attends one of our campuses, the campus, classroom discussions, learning environment, and input and influence on campus decision-making are more robust and meaningful to their engagement,” said Marko Mohlenhoff, TRIO McNair Scholars Program Director and Co-Chair of the First Generation Celebration. “We are a better system because of their presence.”

NMSU’s Las Cruces campus will also host two events on Wednesday, November 6th. The Honors College First Generation Open House will be held at the William Conroy Honors College from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be a screening of “Real Women Have Curves” in the Corbett Center Auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m.

At Doña Ana Community College, the first generation celebration includes certificates, food, dancing and prizes. The event will take place on November 6th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Sunland Park Campus Commons.

NMSU Alamogordo will host a First Generation BBQ and panel discussion on Friday, November 8th at noon in the Student Union Building. The event honors first-generation students and their families.

NMSU Grants will feature a special event featuring self-expression posters on November 4th.

“Despite being far from NMSU’s main campus, our diverse, close-knit community is committed to ensuring that all students feel connected and celebrated,” said Lorenzo Pino, first-generation committee member. “We look forward to honoring our first-generation Aggie students with the highest honors and promoting unity and pride on our campus.”

“We know that our first-generation students work extremely hard to achieve their educational goals, often in the face of significant and sometimes overwhelming challenges,” Mohlenhoff said. “Although they face a variety of obligations and pressures – familial, societal, cultural and financial – we also know that they are leveraging their cultural capital, their own support networks and their impressive problem-solving skills to build stronger futures for themselves and to invest their future.” their families. And that benefits the NMSU system, our surrounding communities and the greater New Mexico area.”

First-generation NMSU college students, faculty, staff and alumni will also be featured in the NMSU Hotline newsletter and on NMSU social media channels in November. To share a first generation story, fill out the “I am a first generation Aggie” form at https://nmsu.link/firstgen.

For more information, contact Mohlenhoff at 575-646-3603 or [email protected].

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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University’s sixth annual First Generation Celebration will be held on Thursday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Corbett Center Student Union. Events will be held at campuses throughout the NMSU system throughout November. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)