First-Gen students to be honored

First-Generation college students will be honored at a series of events during Proud to Be First Week, which the University of North Georgia (UNG) is hosting Nov. 4-8.

Events include:

• Nov. 4, Lunch, Gainesville Campus, Performing Arts Building Lobby, noon
• Nov. 5, Lunch, Cumming Campus, Room 162, noon
• Nov. 6, Breakfast, Oconee Campus, Room 552, 9 a.m.
• Nov. 7, Breakfast, Dahlonega Campus, Hoag Student Center, 9 a.m.
• Nov. 7, Floats for First Gen Ice Cream Floats, Blue Ridge Campus Lobby, noon
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Over 6,899 students have identified as First-Gen, meaning they are the first in their family to attend college. At UNG, faculty and staff — themselves often First-Gen —hold the role of mentor for First-Gen students, providing guidance, encouragement and knowledge.

Gillsville, Georgia’s Claudia Marban, is a junior pursuing a degree in political science. As a First-Gen student, Marban was apprehensive about college from the very beginning. Thanks to the support and encouragement of her Gen-1 mentor Dr. Bibek Chand, Marban has been able to successfully navigate her entrance and academic career at UNG after transitioning from dual enrollment. Now in her junior year, Marban is considering internships with Chand's full support. 

"I have transportation issues, so it's harder for me to consider doing internships in Atlanta. Because I rely on public transportation, my options are exclusive to Hall County," Marban said. "He acknowledges my situation and is providing options that are nearby and suggesting study abroad over the summer."

Marban said she pursued higher education because she believes college would offer more opportunities for her to grow as a person. She believes her Latin-American heritage will be a great benefit as she moves forward into her career.

"Students that only grow up in one culture will eventually learn about others from school," Marban said. "I had that experience early on, so I was able to get accustomed and appreciate other languages more."

She highly encourages other students to become part of the First-Gen initiative.

"The mentors provide perspective from having already been a First-Generation student. They have experienced the struggles other people may not understand," she said.

Marban says Chand has provided motivation, too.

"He inspires me to think beyond the classroom," she said.

Chand, an associate professor of political science and international affairs, has been instrumental in having Marban apply for nationally competitive scholarships and opportunities to present at various conferences. He focuses mostly on students who pursue degrees in political science, international affairs and strategic security studies.

"Most of my familiarity is with fellowships that focus on those areas," he said. "As a faculty fellow with the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office, I'm trying to push my students to apply. We have a very good track record of getting these, so hopefully we have more this year."

Marban and Chand have been paired through the mentorship program since Marban's first semester.

Chand said the experience has been a positive one.

UNG has over 200 members of Alpha Alpha Alpha, the First-Gen Honor Society, with induction ceremonies planned for fall and spring semesters.

UNG's Proud to Be First Week events tie in with the Nov. 8 national First-Generation College Celebration (FGCC) Day.

FGCC is celebrated annually Nov. 8 to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 by former President Lyndon B. Johnson. The HEA created federal financial aid programs to fund student education, and it made key investments in colleges and universities. Many of the HEA's programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, promote postsecondary access, retention and completion for today’s limited-income, First-Generation college students.

FGCC strives to celebrate First-Gen students' contributions to their communities and to encourage change by eliminating barriers to First-Generation student success. 

UNG also hosted its inaugural meeting of the First Gen Advisory Council on Oct. 4 at the Gainesville Campus.

Members of the council include Jennifer Herring, UNG family engagement manager; Jay Kelly, owner of Signs by Tomorrow and former Gainesville State College trustee; Mrs. Shavon Martin, administrative assistant in the College of Education, Leadership Georgia Alumna class of 2022; Dr. Richard Oates, UNG Professor Emeritus/Vice President Emeritus; Dr. Alyson Paul, VP Student Engagement and Success; Mr. Phillip Payton, VP of Engineering, King’s Hawaiian; and UNG First Lady Mrs. Jessica Shannon.