First-Generation Week will culminate Nov. 8 with First-Generation College Celebration Day in Tennessee. The statewide proclamation was signed by Governor Bill Lee in October.
The day and proclamation honors first-generation students, students whose parents or legal guardians did not complete a four-year degree and celebrates the impact obtaining a college degree has on breaking-down generational barriers and creating opportunity, economic mobility and expanding the state’s workforce.
“This proclamation means a lot to me as a student because the Office of First-Generation does a lot behind closed doors to make sure our students and our events are excelling. We’re letting students know they are not alone. It’s great to know that we are being seen and celebrated,” Enyiah Higgins, junior health sciences major and president of Tigers First said. “Being a first-generation student has been an honor and means the world to me. I take a lot of pride in that. Being the first in my family to go out and get an education is big.”
First-Generation College Celebration Day occurs annually Nov. 8 to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, a federal law signed on Nov. 8 which expanded access to higher education opportunities.
Jacki Rodriguez, director of the University of Memphis Office of First-Generation, proposed the opportunity to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) as its state sponsor and in partnership submitted the proposal to the State of Tennessee.
Highlighted statistics include:
- At the University of Memphis: Over one-third of our undergraduate Tiger population identifies as first-generation. These students come from all walks of life across West Tennessee and beyond, overcoming immense systemic hurdles to navigate college admissions and financial aid independently.
- Statewide Impact: In Tennessee, first-generation undergraduates make up roughly 20% to 25% of enrollment at the major public universities. First-generation scholars make up an even larger, critical mass across Tennessee’s 13 community colleges and 24 TCATs.
- Nationally: First-generation students make up over 54% of the undergraduate population. In Tennessee, they are the trailblazers who return to their hometowns—from Memphis to Mountain City — as skilled professionals, driving local economies forward.
FirstGen Forward named the University of Memphis as one of 14 institutions of higher education selected to its inaugural class of FirstGen Forward Network Champions. The UofM Office of First-Generation programs include the First Scholars Program, the Career Closet, Faculty/Staff First-Gen Champions, the Peer Mentoring Program, and the office hosts multiple special events, workshops and trainings throughout the year.
“I wasn’t really planning to attend a university, but luckily, I got the First Scholars scholarship,” Jorge Tapia, first-generation electrical and computer engineering student said, “Being a recipient means everything. It means my future. It gave me a sense of community, it gave me a reliable support system, and an upper hand navigating an unknown place. I’ve met all these great people and met most of my friends through the Office of First-Generation. I’m forever grateful to Jacki and Nikki.” Nicole “Nikki” Taylor Tartt serves as the First Scholars program manager.
