I AM A First-Gen Aggie

New Mexico State University (NMSU) system finds a crimson way to celebrate its first-generation heroes.

NMSU is comprised of a main campus and three community colleges where many of its faculty and staff are first-generation college graduates committed to supporting NMSU’s first-generation college students.

The established definition of a first-generation college student--(A) An individual both of whose parent(s) or legal guardian did not complete a baccalaureate degree; OR (B) In the case of any individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, an individual whose only such parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree (based on the Higher Education Act for Federal TRIO Programs).

“We found that NMSU’s first-generation Aggies are part of a strong group of entrepreneurs, social workers, engineers, nurses, physicians, teachers and leaders who have and will contribute significantly to our state and nation. We are proud to honor their contributions to New Mexico State University and their vital role in achieving the teaching, research and service mission of New Mexico’s land-grant institution.” - Dr. Anthony Marin, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs

 As a way to pay tribute to its first-generation college graduates/students and bring the system together we created an “I AM A First-Gen Aggie” campaign that took front and center. The original concept was to highlight first-generation college students during the during the celebration event. However, after the campaign was launched and completed the highlighting celebration continued from Fall 2022 into Spring 2023. NMSU’s first-gen celebrities were asked to nominate or self-nominate via an electronic form. The short and direct non-intrusive design of the form served as another method by which to continue to share NMSU first-generation college students, faculty, staff and alumni shared their story, their role/title at NMSU, campus, date of and type of degree earned. NMSU’s 4th Annual First-Generation Celebration spotlighted its system-wide, first-generation college students and graduates via NMSU’s social media and newsletters—the Student Hotline, Staff/Faculty Hotline and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) monitors in Student Union Building, Classrooms, Alumni Foundation Panorama Magazine, and website.

We reached out to our colleagues of departments that provide services to first year students and invited them to a tabling event to inform first-generation students of these services. Services the first-gen student may not necessarily be aware of that that enhance his academic journey and success. Ninety percent of colleagues invited participated; thus, powerfully demonstrating the inter-departmental commitment to first-gen student success. 

The momentum generated by our celebration was and is still is palpable as of this writing as we continue to look for interdepartmental collaboration such as a welcoming event at the Activity Center as a way to meet and greet form ongoing support relationships with other. Another possible collaboration is with the Creativity and Research Week in events that can inspire the first-gen student to bring creativity and be creative in their academic career.

Empowering our first-gen student is like reaching into the future and transforming the possible realities for families and communities. NMSU will continue to strive to improve services and processes in making college more navigable for all Aggies.

¡Viva NMSU!