MAPS presents First Gen Advocacy Training, a 1.5 hour session meant to advise our campus partners on how to support our first generation Catamounts. This can include reviewing common practices, language used, university policies, and referral methods. We will discuss the profile of a first-gen student at Western, suggest powerful practices, and the future of advocating for our first-gen Catamounts.
The MAPS office will present with affiliates from the First Gen Advisory Board. All participants will receive a First Gen sticker for their attendance and completion of the training.
Sign up on Engage for one of our three sessions this spring by following the links belowing and signing in to Engage to RSVP!
National First-Gen Day is celebrated on November 8th every year! We host events throughout the week to celebrate our first-generation Catamounts. Below are the events hosted in Fall 2023, to acknowledge the support we received from our campus partners!
Check back here in Fall 2024 for next year's events!
Presented by Robbie Van Pelt, Study Abroad Advisor
Presented by Alexis Harp from the Graduate Student Association
Sponsored by Alumni Engagement
Special Guest: Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
This lantern walk will celebrate our first-generation Catamounts - students, faculty, staff, and community partners!
Presented by Jennifer Thomas (two-time WCU grad AND first-gen student!), Senior Assistant
Director of University Scholarships
Sponsored by Alumni Engagement
Sponsored by Residential Living
Wear warm layers and closed toed shoes! Tools will be provided.
We appreciate all of our partners and sponsors who helped us make this celebration week happen!
Use the resources below to learn how to make the most of your college experience and find strategies to aid in your success.
Do not be afraid to ask for help and do it early!
Know you are not alone - connect with others!
Pursue your passions and strengths!
Additional resources
Connect with others!
Do something!
The FirstGEN Advocate program is designed to support new and continuing first-generation college students (FGCS) during their journey at WCU. Advocates are volunteer faculty and staff members who are trained to be cognizant and sensitive to the needs of FGCS.
By engaging with an Advocate, students can expect to be:
Advocates are identified by displaying the FirstGEN symbol on their office door and wearing a FirstGEN pin or t-shirt at campus events. Find a FirstGEN Advocate.