Arcadia University celebrated its first-generation community members on Nov. 8, a date that is marked as a national First-Generation College Celebration every year.

Students, alumni, staff, and faculty whose parents, stepparents, or legal guardians did not complete a four-year college education were the guests of honor in the Commons Great Room. Remarks by Arcadia President Ajay Nair and Sonya Gaskins '02-both first-generation college students themselves-were followed by a buffet lunch and activities including a resource fair, photo booth, stuffed animal-making, arts and crafts, get-to-know-you bingo (with prizes!), and other games.

Twenty-two percent of Arcadia students, and 34 percent of current first-year students, self-identify as first-generation college students.

One of the resources at Arcadia to support first-gen students is a chapter of the Alpha Alpha Alpha Society, also known as Tri-Alpha, a national honors society for first-generation college students that offers members a variety of benefits including mentoring sessions, networking opportunities with employers and other members, outward recognition of personal achievement, and more. The president of Arcadia's chapter, Amber Schuster '25, a Psychology major, shared what it's like to be a first-gen Knight.

"There's a lot of first-gen students at Arcadia. Recently, I've been sharing my experience with them, they've been sharing theirs with me, and it's been giving me a sense of security knowing that there are other people going through the same thing as me at Arcadia.

"I am embracing the opportunity to create a new path for my family. A lot of them never went to college, so I definitely feel like I am creating the foundation for my family and future generations of my family."

The First Generation Event Team included Ashley Beam, Shaliyah Braxton, Cristina Cintron-Marsh, Mary Alice DiFilippo, Nakyyia Douglas, Allannah Giles, Kay Greene, Holly Kirkpatrick, Donavan McCargo, Staci-Jo Palek, Taylor Pate, Miracle Ruiz, Christine Storch, and Jullette Wilkins.