Supporting First-Generation Students: How MC is Making a Difference with New Initiatives

Midland College (MC) has undertaken a deliberate effort to recognize and offer support to First Generation college students through our recently established First Generation Student Success Initiatives. In doing so, MC strives to align vision with action by augmenting pillars of our strategic plan to serve West Texas.

With the intent to build leaders both within their families and in their communities, our initiatives strive to assist a range of first-generation college students from non-traditional to first-time in college, and those seeking a variety of degrees or certificates. These include specialized first-generation advising and coaching, a first-generation student organization, and a First-Generation scholarship program in which students act as First-Generation Ambassadors. Each of these initiatives offers distinct experiences and events for first-generation students while emphasizing access, student success, and collaboration.

Support starts here

Through focus groups and polling, MC has found that first-generation students really desire a feeling of belonging and community combined with clarity and thorough explication of higher education systems and processes. Alicia Zamora*, a 20-year-old First-Generation and first-time in college student explained that she felt helpless when she would have conversations with instructors “that ended with them asking me, ‘didn’t your parents tell you this?’ I couldn’t really ask [my parents] stuff about school.”

To assist students like Alicia, the Student Services team and the First-Gen Success staff collaborate to streamline the transition to higher education. Whether it’s course selection, navigating college policies, or learning about campus resources our team provides tailored guidance to help First-Gen students achieve their academic goals. 

The power of connection

When we heard feedback in the fall of 2024 that more students wanted to participate in First-Generation activities, we responded by rallying to create a new campus organization to do just that.

Led by Lazaro Diaz, Career & Transfer Advisor, this student club focuses on creating community among students. Student engagement for this brand-new group has been encouraging with more than 60 students indicating interest in the organization and meeting attendance averaging 16 attendees in our first two meetings.

Leslie Romero, an early high school graduate and first-generation Ambassador ran for and won an officer position in the First-Gen Club and said that participating helps her feel less alone on her educational journey. She shared that, “meeting others with similar challenges and hearing their stories has been inspiring.”

...meeting others with similar challenges and hearing their stories has been inspiring.

First-Gen in Action

Our First-Generation Ambassador student group acts as a dual leadership mentoring program and a scholarship opportunity for especially motivated first-gen students. To that end, they recently helped the campus celebrate National First-Generation College Celebration Day in November by hosting a First-Gen Fiesta for the campus which featured food, music and games. Students planned and participated in the event which was a large success due to their efforts.

Alicia credits her good experiences in college so far in large part to the Ambassador program which, she says, has helped her become more outspoken. “Getting to know my first-gen advisors has helped me feel more at ease when asking questions,” she said. Building a strong sense of community not only reflects MC’s commitment to first-generation needs but also to understanding our area and its challenges. 

First-generation students bring resilience, determination, and unique perspectives to Midland College which is recognized by the faculty and staff, many of whom are also first-generation. Our campus has developed an informal mentorship program where faculty/staff can opt in to serve as 'First Gen Champions' meaning that students can be directed to them if they have a particular question or interest about their fields of expertise or knowledge. Champions are also invited to participate in first-gen events, to help strengthen the connections between their shared background and experiences. In this way we both honor the past (experiences of former first-generation students) and help current students reimagine the future, a key component of Midland College’s vision for growth and improvement. 

MC’s First-Generation Student Initiatives are focused on creating a foundation for success by providing comprehensive support in ways that are simple but create a lasting impact. Our Advising, Student Club, Ambassador program and Champions all work together to support first-gen students as they achieve their educational goals. In doing so, we hope to help first-gen students create a ripple effect of success and empowerment for future generations.

*Names have been changed per student request