Cross-Organizational Alliances Fuel First-Gen Student Success

Fort Lewis College currently enrolls a large population of first-generation students. This year we are putting an emphasis on first-generation college student success and visibility. We are committed to raising campus awareness through showcasing first-generation college student strengths, and cross organizational alliance.

First-generation college students, arguably have some of the most impactful strengths on campus alongside their peers. They bring different approaches to the social atmosphere in the classroom and their communities. The top three strengths I would like to highlight here at Fort Lewis College pertaining to first Generation student population is resiliency, empathy, and problem solving.

In college it is inevitable that students will face new challenges for the first time. With that being said, failure is a definite at some point or another. Whether the student missed their alarm and were late to class, they missed a due date or they failed a class when they truly gave it their all, it is important that a student learns and exemplifies resiliency, the ability to stand back up after a fall and try again. Our first-generation students are exceptional at this. Using this same example for empathy, a student who has failed, stood back up, and tried again has developed a greater sense of empathy for peers who may be going through the same thing or even a first-year student struggling through a circumstance. First-generation students at Fort Lewis College are always empathetic and willing to say, 'hey, I have been there' and offer tips and encouragement. This is such an important aspect to add to campus culture contributing to not only the interpersonal skills of first gen peers but other non-first-generation peers as well. In conclusion, adding problem solving to the list of skills first generation students are exceptional at contributes to the wealth of classroom skills and innovative thinking in social circles and life skills among peers. When we acknowledge and highlight these major skills contributing to campus classrooms and culture, we look to first generation students who are leading the way and creating new pathways of doing things in the world. Perspective is a gift, and our first-generation students are leading in this area in colleges across the country. As the first-generation experience coordinator on campus, I am highlighting valuable skills and strengths of our first-generation students thus in return hoping to increase visibility on campus and amplifying their voices and success.

One major way to increase visibility on campus is to establish working relationships with cross organizational alliances. This means working to collaborate with other organizations on campus with common or shared goals, combine resources, and work together to conduct a mission. Organizations on campus that are historically very visible have a major influence over campus culture and their voices are heard. Developing this relationship in return brings beautiful insight and experience that is useful to first-generation students who are stepping into visibility and hugely contributing to campus. In addition, developing rapport within intersectionality groups through trusted cross-organizational collaborations and alliances is crucial in developing a long-lasting foundation to build scalable organization structures that contribute to campus and students individually. It helps reduce barriers and increase efficiency. Through this practice, our First-generation Student Club was able to collaborate with one of the most well-known organizations on campus to create a family dinner event with an emphasis on first-generation student visibility and success.

...developing rapport within intersectionality groups through trusted cross-organizational collaborations and alliances is crucial in developing a long-lasting foundation to build scalable organization structures that contribute to campus and students individually.

Hosting our first annual Family Dinner during homecoming week on campus was a huge milestone for our first-generation student visibility and success. Students were able to bring their families and friends and eat a meal together, hear each other’s stories as well as many staff and faculty stories. The Interim President and VP of Diversity Affairs were present speakers who welcomed guests and students. Alongside our President and VP, we had an alumni speaker who shared her first-generation experience as a student and now in her role in the workplace. The first-generation club president also had the opportunity to share her personal story and speak about the first-generation student club. I was able to thank and speak to the attending family, friends, and students about how much their support means and the excellent work we are doing and have plans to do here at Fort Lewis College. This opportunity increased first-generation student visibility greatly and served as a launching pad for years to come.

Overall, there are many beneficial aspects of cross-organizational alliances and collaborations for your college campus as exemplified here at Fort Lewis College through one example of how we have empowered first-generation students to collaborate with cross-organizational alliances to build for an even stronger first-generation forward campus.