Community and Leadership with GEN1

The GEN1 Scholars Program at Azusa Pacific University was established in Fall 2017. Since its launch, the program has grown its programming and services to support our First-Generation to College students. This year we welcome the expansion of our program staff by welcoming two graduate assistants, Dominique Ruvalcaba who oversees student events and the student ambassador programs, and Luz Santana who oversees the GEN1 mentoring program and faculty/staff development. This fall the program also launched two new initiatives for our students: First-Generation Learning Community, and the GEN1 Student Ambassador Program.

The GEN1 Learning Community supports incoming first-year, first-generation students who are exploring majors (or undeclared). As a cohort, they take the First-Year seminar course lead by Cassandra Gonzalez, First-Generation campus coordinator and the Writing 110 - Intro to Writing course lead by Dr. Patricia Brown, a faculty member and first-generation graduate. In both courses, students will have the opportunity to explore their first-generation identity through literature, research, and mentorship provided by other first-generation college students. The First-Year seminar offers students an introduction to college, a focus on health and wellness, time to explore their strengths through CliftonStengths assessment and an opportunity to explore the first-generation identity utilizing critical thinking pedagogy. As students begin their academic journey with us, we hope that having the space to build a community among their classmates and faculty will increase their sense of belonging on campus.

GEN1 Scholar Student Ambassadors are first-generation student leaders who will serve as program ambassadors and peer mentors to the GEN1 Scholars Program. The Student Ambassadors will support new and continuing GEN1 Scholars with navigating the first-generation experience, building and maintaining meaningful community, networking, and developing a sense of belonging at APU. GEN1 Scholar Student Ambassadors are emerging professional leaders who are passionate about leading and serving a community of diverse students.

Through peer mentoring and leadership development, Student Ambassadors promote social and academic programming, oversee outreach initiatives, organize special events and help support fellow GEN1 Scholars’ journey on campus. Student Ambassadors gain practical experience in a professional work setting; learn and build leadership skills. This year our GEN1 Student Ambassadors are Daisy Vargas studying social work; Marissa Cordova studying political science and criminal justice; Shelsey Mora, studying biology; and Taren Thomas, studying psychology. They each bring with them unique stories and incredible leadership skills they have and continue to demonstrate through their work with the program.

 

With the launch of two new initiatives, the focus for GEN1 Scholars this academic year is to continue to build a community across our First-Generation to college students, faculty, and staff.