ISSUED: 8 November 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Cecelia Mason
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University’s TRIO Student Support Services celebrated First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8 by hosting about 50 Berkeley County students on campus.
“TRIO programs enforce and celebrate all students who are first-generation,” said Tajmarie Rowe, assistant director of TRIO at Shepherd. “We’re having TRIO Student Support Services and TRIO Upward Bound students come together to celebrate what it means for them to be first- generation.”
Students from Spring Mills High School visited campus for First-Generation College Celebration Day.
The Berkeley County students were given a campus tour, provided lunch, and had the opportunity to apply to Shepherd and receive an instant decision. They also were able to socialize with Shepherd students who are currently in the TRIO program by playing games on the Midway.
A first-generation college student is anyone whose parents or custodial parent have not completed a bachelor’s degree. Because they are the first in their family to attend college, many of these students find it hard to navigate higher education and encounter obstacles that can keep them from being successful.
TRIO Student Support Services is a federally funded grant program through the United States Department of Education that helps first-generation students succeed. Shepherd’s TRIO program also operates Berkeley County’s Upward Bound program.
Leading up to First-Generation College Celebration Day, TRIO had a social media campaign on October 6 highlighting what the program’s alumni are doing now and why they’re celebrating their first-generation day. On October 7, TRIO offered coffee and donuts on the Midway to bring the campus community together.
— 30 —
