We ask because we CARE

The pandemic that started in 2020 continues to be a trending topic for higher education. The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) located in Odessa, TX is no exception. Students faced personal difficulties that truly put their academic goals on the line. Should I continue my studies? Can I afford it? Am I mentally stable to take on this degree? At UTPB, we heard the struggles of our students, and we set forth a plan to assist them. The UTPB CARE (Coordinated Advocacy, Retention, and Emergency Services) team stepped up and became the helping hand many students were needing.

Now, you may be wondering how the CARE team has helped first-generation students specifically? It was because of this committee coming together that we held conversations that seemed to always circle back to our first-gen students. Reading emails of students stating, “I didn’t know I could ask for an extension on my assignment?” or “I was unaware of the CARE team” and “I qualify for financial aid?” Since we continually read/heard the trending words “I didn’t know” and “I was unaware,” we put our detective hats on and started asking questions so that we could better understand our students and their needs.

In fall 2022, we hosted our first big first-gen celebration on first-gen day in November. President Dr. Sandra Woodley, who is also first-generation, opened and welcomed our attendees. We had a panel that consisted of faculty and staff that were also first-generation, and they spoke of their experiences as undergraduates and their journey in college. The event had a great turnout, but a few members of the CARE team wanted to have a brief survey asking our attendees what resources they would like to have us provide them with to improve their experience. Remember, we ask because we CARE. Many of them stated that a first-generation student organization would be helpful to them.

Should I continue my studies? Can I afford it? Am I mentally stable to take on this degree?

Fast forward to Spring 2023, two meetings took place where over 20 students attended, and conversations consisted of their first semester experience and how they wished some programming would be different. They provided feedback on orientation and the conversation of the student organization was the highlight. We successfully had 5 students volunteer to lead the organization and some of the topics they wanted to focus on consisted of how they can be easily accessible to other first-gen students, programming throughout the year, and graduation cords. At the end of both meetings, we always asked how they were feeling mentally, emotionally, and we wanted to know if there was anything we could help them with. We continuously heard “thank you for providing this space” and “I am so glad I had the opportunity to connect with other students that were experiencing the same as I was.”

The pandemic brought to light matters that required our attention when it came to serving our first-gen students. Being part of the First-Gen Forward cohort this past year, provided us with tools and resources that improved our purpose in accommodating our students. Having the CARE team ask all sorts of questions and digging for more information is what really allowed us to be intentional in what we aspire to do, to better serve our students. It can be uncomfortable when we ask, but we continually work to establish a trusting relationship as we want them to know that “We ask because we CARE”.