Montana State University is organizing a series of events to honor its first-generation students, staff, and faculty ahead of National First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8. The initiative aims to recognize the contributions and experiences of those who are the first in their families to attend college.
“By celebrating first-gen students, we showcase the incredible things they bring to the campus community and demonstrate that first-gen students belong at MSU,” said Mackenzie Spence, chair of MSU’s First-Generation Committee and program coordinator for TRIO Support Services.
First-generation students at Montana State University are defined as those whose parents did not earn a four-year college degree. According to university data, there are currently 3,033 first-generation students enrolled at MSU, including 244 graduate students and 2,789 undergraduates. This group represents about 18% of the undergraduate population and 12% of graduate students.
The university provides several resources for these students, such as mentoring programs through TRIO Support Services, scholarships, campus organizations like the First-Generation Students Association, and guides to help navigate college life in Bozeman. These efforts aim to address challenges faced by many first-generation students who may lack prior family experience with higher education systems.
The scheduled events include book club sessions discussing “Rising Class: How Three First-Generation College Students Conquered Their First Year,” exhibitions highlighting notable first-generation individuals and photo displays in campus buildings throughout November. Other activities include networking opportunities for students, faculty training on supporting first-generation learners, career workshops led by professionals from various fields such as pre-medicine, law, veterinary medicine, business, and nursing.
A special workshop will also feature Carlos Andrés Gómez—a poet and educator from New York City—connecting with invited first-generation Bobcats. The event series will culminate with a showcase where first-generation students can present research or creative work in Jabs Hall’s atrium.
For further details about the event schedule or support services for first-generation members of the MSU community, information is available at www.montana.edu/firstgen/nationalfirstgenerationday or by contacting Mackenzie Spence at firstgen@montana.edu.
