Creating a Cohort Without a Common Hour: The Journey of Building an Intentional First-Gen Focus(ed) Experience

Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) recognizes that promoting diversity and inclusion is integral to mending the historic, systematic inequality inherent in higher education.

Building off the College’s first Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Plan - the Intercultural Center (IC), since its inception, has taken the lead on reestablishing, reconnecting, and redesigning a supportive infrastructure for First-Generation students at MMC. We have developed a year-long calendar of programming and efforts that encompass our 3 branches of First-Gen Focus. In Fall 2021 – we launched the inaugural First-Gen Cohort (FGCP) mentorship program for incoming first-years and also hosted our inaugural First-Gen Student Week of Celebration for our campus wide First Generation Initiatives (FGI). In Spring, we stepped the game up by chartering a chapter of Tri Alpha First-Generation Student Honor Society.

With the IC, the work surrounding the support of First-Gen students has grown exponentially. Our First-Gen Focus weaves through the intentional design of our cohort program and general first generation engagements. Efforts address topics such as academic and social adjustments inherent in the transition to college like asking for help, unpacking First-Gen identity, creating a map of services to tap into, and activities to complete according to major and career. Additionally, off-campus outings are organized and led by First-Generation student leaders to provide a space for students to build community in the local community.

Efforts address topics such as academic and social adjustments inherent in the transition to college like asking for help, unpacking First-Gen identity, creating a map of services to tap into, and activities to complete according to major and career.

However, as a small, mostly performing arts institution - it’s often a challenge to identify time within academic scheduling and rehearsal requirements to schedule programs students can actually attend. Knowing this population continues to be impacted by the pandemic, we look at every opportunity as a vital connection point in learning how to best serve them.

We center around the notion that we must meet students where they are, remaining flexible and open to their need and not our perceptions. To meet our students where they are at to get them what they need - we have found value in offering passive programming and drop-in sessions to allow students to get in where they fit in. We have also recorded sessions for students when they are unable to make meetings and provided follow up tasks to ensure they do not miss out on the content delivered.

It is increasingly important to recognize that our work is most effective when we create creative points of connection with our students. As an example - in Fall 2021, we established our “Faculty and Staff Chat” series. Virtually or in person, students have the opportunity to connect with faculty and staff at MMC who were first-generation students. Through their chats - students ask questions, consider new opportunities, and are introduced to new people and perspectives. Participants have relayed that this experience is meaningful and valuable to building up our First-Gen community at the College.

Creating this Focus with no structured programmatic blocks has been no small feat. But the work we do is an ever evolving journey of intentional outreach and planning, deep consideration, and authentic care.