Author: Karen Wolf

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Join us for 2023 First-Gen Week!

Join the First-Gen+ Center from Nov. 6th – Nov. 10th for First-Gen Week. We will be celebrating, centering, and empowering our first-generation Patriots!

We have a host of events celebrating our first-generation college students here at Mason. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to all events as we center the narratives and experiences of our students through open discussion, community building, and meaningful engagement.

Calendar of Events:

  • Tuesday, November 2nd – 1PM OR Wednesday, November 8th – 6PM | National First-Generation College Celebration Virtual Event
    • Co-hosted by the Center and the Council for Opportunity in Education, this virtual conversation, moderated by President Tracy D. Hall, Ed.D., features a panel of first-gen graduates who lead the world’s most recognizable companies.
  • Monday, November 6th | First-Gen Week Kickoff and T-Shirt Giveaway 
    • 11 AM-2 PM | SUB I Quad
    • In celebration of First-Gen Week, the First-Gen+ Center will be giving away t-shirts and other surprises for students that identify as first-gen.
  • Tuesday, November 7th l First-Gen Week Faculty/Staff Mixer
    • 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM – Johnson Center George’s (3rd floor)
    • Join the First-Gen+ Center and the First-Gen Faculty/Staff Affinity Group for a mixer during First-Gen Week. This event offers an informal and relaxed setting for faculty and staff from different departments to come together to celebrate their First-Gen identity. Light refreshments will be served. No registration is needed.
  • Tuesday, November 7th l New Student and Family Programs Family Support Series
    • 7 PM – Zoom (Virtual)
    • Attend this VIRTUAL webinar to hear directly from the First-Gen+ Center. They will be sharing about all the incredible things they do for the Mason community and will be available to hear and address any questions or concerns you may have!
  • Tuesday, November 7th | First to Finished: First-Gen Paths through Graduate School (Co-hosted with Graduate Student Life)
    • 2:30 – 4 PM l SUB l Meeting Room 3B
    • Join us for a panel discussion featuring the experiences and insights of first-generation staff and current graduate students at Mason regarding their graduate school experiences.
  • Wednesday, November 8th – Thursday, November 9th | First-Gen Rock Painting
    • 12 – 2 PM | SUB 1, Suite 2400 Multipurpose Room
    • In celebration of First-Gen Week, stop by SUB I, Suite 2400 starting, November 8th through November 9th from 12-2PM each day to paint in person! Set your rock on campus and tag us on Instagram with your art – @masonfgpc!
  • Wednesday, November 8th | Cookies and Conversation with CAPS 
    • 4 PM | SUB 1, Suite 2400 Multipurpose Room
    • Counseling and Psychological Services is partnering with First-Gen+Center for Cookies with CAPS. Join us for connection, cookies, and conversations! Cookies will be provided by Insomnia Cookies.
  • Wednesday, November 8th | First-Gen Student Reception for School of Business Students
    • 3-5 PM | JC Bistro
    • Build connections with first-generation School of Business peers, faculty and staff
    • Finger foods, beverages and School of Business swag will be provided
  • Thursday, November 9th | Coffee and Conversation with Contemporary Student Services
    • 2 – 3:30 PM l HUB 1012 Contemporary Student Lounge
    • Stop by the Contemporary Student Lounge to Celebrate First-Gen Week! Work on the community art project while also enjoying coffee, snacks, and conversation.
  • Thursday, November 9th | F1rst Gen @ Mason x First-Gen+ Center HUB Takeover
    • 4-6 PM | Corner Pocket
    • Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? Play games, share laughs, and even have a chance to win a prize during our First Gen HUB takeover!
  • Friday, November 10th | First-Gen Friday T-Shirt Day
    • Rep your First-Gen pride by wearing your First-Gen T-Shirts!
  • Friday, November 10th l Immigration Monologues
    • 6-9 PM, JC Bistro
    • Immigration Monologues is a series testimonials and shared lived experiences by members of the Undocumented community in pursuit of their American Dream. This year’s theme is *The Mosaic of Migration* in hopes to lift up their journeys; including the the barriers they faced. Through storytelling, we aim to promote awareness about the challenges impacting the immigrant community and to empower members of the community and allies to take action, advocated, and promote safe, inclusive, and equitable spaces for undocumented and refugee students.
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Apply Now! Undocumented Scholars Award

The First Gen Next Gen Scholarship, made possible by the First Gen Next Gen Fund, was established in 2016 through student advocacy and a consortium of donors in order to provide educational programming, scholarships, and emergency assistance to students whose immigration status might otherwise hinder them from accessing higher education.

As we continue to increase efforts for outreach and support of students at Mason who are undocumented or are protected by DACA or TPS, we have learned that we are not reaching enough students through our current methods of email, word of mouth, and social media.

In hopes to increase our reach and our target audience clear, we renamed the scholarship to the Undocumented Scholars Award!

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Eligibility: Current degree-seeking Mason student who identifies as undocumented, or has protected statuses such as DACA, TPS, or have asylum status pending.

Application open from Mar. 15 – May 31 

Submit your application on the Mason Academic Works website:  go.gmu.edu/UndocumentedScholars 

  1. Complete the General Application
  2. Complete the “Undocumented  Scholars Award” application

If you have any questions about the application or your eligibility, contact us at fgng@gmu.edu 

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Mason Receives First-Gen Forward Designation

Lex Lewis-Semien (she/her)
Assistant Director, Student Access and Equity
Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment
alewisse@gmu.edu

Deana Waintraub Staffor
Associate Director,
Center for First-generation Student Success
First-genForward@naspa.org

George Mason University Receives First-gen Forward Designation;
National Honor for Commitment to First-generation Student Success

FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (March 1st, 2021) – The Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation, recently announced the 2021-22 First-gen Forward cohort. The First-gen Forward designation recognizes institutions of higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. Selected institutions receive professional development, community-building experiences, and a first look at the Center’s research and resources.

At George Mason University, first-generation students are defined as students whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have a highest level of education from a community college; did not complete a bachelor’s degree; or completed a degree outside of the United States. As of Fall 2020, Mason reported that 20% of all first-time freshmen and 26% of all undergraduate degree-seeking students were first-generation college students. 78% of first-gen students enrolled in Fall 2020 were attending full-time. First-generation college students face various barriers when trying to excel both academically and socially. Mason works to eliminate these additional barriers and foster first-generation student success through intentional programming and catered support. This support includes:

  • Early Identification Program: George Mason University’s college preparatory program for first-generation students in collaboration with local schools.
  • Student Transition Empowerment Program: Mason’s Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment’s (CCEE) initiative created to enhance the recruitment, engagement, and retention of first-generation college students accepted to George Mason University.
  • First-Generation Peer Mentoring Program: CCEE’s mentoring program to support first-generation student success.
  • First-Generation Student Task Force: Task force led by Mason Faculty/Staff who were first-generation students themselves.

“The Center is so pleased to welcome George Mason University into the 2021-22 First-gen Forward cohort. Through the application process, it was evident that Mason is not only taking steps to serve first-generation students but is prepared to make a long-term commitment and employ strategies that foster an environment of success for this important population,” said Dr. Sarah E. Whitley, assistant vice president, Center for First-generation Student Success.

Dr. Creston Lynch, assistant vice president for University Life at Mason said, “We, at Mason, are excited to be in this First-gen Forward cohort because it not only further positions our faculty and staff to continue their amazing and comprehensive work in support of first-generation students, but it also aligns directly with the Mason University Life vision that “every student succeeds” during and after their time here.”

As a First-gen Forward Institution, interested faculty and staff will be afforded multiple opportunities to engage with peer institutions who are also creating environments that improve the experiences and outcomes of first-generation students. Selected institutions will send representatives to the First-gen Forward Workshop slated for early-June and will participate in monthly phone calls, virtual professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting, and more. After two successful years in the program, institutions are eligible to apply for the Advisory leadership designation.

“First-gen Forward is an exciting opportunity for George Mason University to join a dedicated community of professionals prepared to share evidence-based practices and resources, troubleshoot challenges, generate knowledge, and continue to advance the success of first-generation students across the country. We are excited to see a groundswell of activity from the First-gen Forward cohort and know Mason will be a significant contributor,” offered Dr. Kevin Kruger, president and CEO of NASPA.

To learn more about the Center for First-generation Student Success, visit firstgen.naspa.org.

NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. Its work provides high-quality professional development, advocacy, and research for 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and 8 U.S. territories. Visit naspa.org for more information.

The Center for First-generation Student Success is the premier source of evidence-based practices, professional development, and knowledge creation for the higher education community to advance the success of first-generation students. Through four strategic priority areas, the Center drives higher education innovation and advocacy for first-generation student success.

Click HERE to download a copy of the press release.

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In Response to SCOTUS Decision on DACA

June 18, 2020

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision to uphold the decision to maintain DeferredbAction for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which provides work permits and protection from deportation for close to 700,000 DACA recipients in the United States. We are very happy about this decision and acknowledge that even in times of difficulty and tremendous change in the United States, it is also important to recognize the wave of positive decisions and actions that can happen when the voices of a community are heard.

DACA has opened up educational pathways for our students and for many others across the country through access to admissions, in-state tuition, and financial resources. DACA recipients at George Mason University contribute to and shape our campus culture and identity. This decision from the Supreme Court will continue to grant access to higher education for some of the best and brightest students in the United States.

We want to take this time to communicate First-Gen+ Center’s strong and continuous support for our DACA recipients and their families. We will work with DACA recipients to continue to connect them with legal service providers on and off-campus, mental and physical health services, and other support services to support their success at Mason. Below are resources for students and also for YOU to learn more about how you can help!

You are also welcomed to reach out to learn more by emailing Dr. Amber Holton-Thomas, Director of First-Gen+ Center (ahampto@gmu.edu).

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Financial Support:

  • Emergency Fund
  • First Gen Next Gen Fund Scholarship – For more information email fgng@gmu.edu

Emotional Support:

Peer Support:

  • Connect with UndocuMason, the primary collective of students who support and advocate for students who are undocumented, DACAmented, and who have TPS and their families.

Legal Support:

What else can you do as a person who holds citizenship in the United States?

  • Review policies or procedures in your department that might have additional barriers for undocumented or DACAmented students – if you change something, let us know! Email Dr. Amber Holton-Thomas (ahampto@gmu.edu) who serves as the Chair for the Undocumented Student Task Force at Mason
  • Educate yourself! Sign up for UndocuAlly Training sessions offered during the academic year.

To the DACA students, faculty, and staff, know that you have the full support of our department. We remain as supportive as ever of DACA recipients and other immigrants learning and working in our community, and remain committed to enabling the continued success of DACA recipients and to securing permanent relief for these aspiring Americans.