First to Fly Dinner Concludes First-Gen Week Celebrations
November 8, 2024
25 current and former first-generation students received certificates, T-shirts, magnets
and pins during the annual "First to Fly" Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 7.
Galloway, N.J. – A week of celebrating first-generation students culminated in a special dinner on
Thursday, Nov. 7, which honored 25 “First to Fly” students, alumni, faculty and staff.
🎓 How has being first-generation helped shape your story and success?
Education & Human Development major LaRissa Weilgus-Sykes: “My children can see that their mother achieved her dreams and that they have the
strength to do it too."
Q: How has being first-generation helped shape your story and success?
Communication Studies major Amanda Tague: “Being a first-generation student has been a challenge that has pushed me to soar
higher. Not only do I want to make my family proud as a first-generation student,
but I want to inspire others to pursue a degree in higher education and show them
that it is possible to achieve the goals you put your mind to.”
Environmental Sciences major Andrea Sandoval: “(Being first-gen) reminds me that it is important to keep sharing my story and continue
my education so that other students can see that they can do it too.”
Health Sciences major Gabriella Ofori: “As the oldest of many kids, I have to strive and push for my dreams so my siblings
can see that they can also make it in life. I’m going to be the first in my family
to complete college and do multiple things, which I always remind myself of when things
get hard."
Health Sciences major Daniela Bonilla: “Being first-gen has shaped me to become an example to everyone, especially Latina
women. No matter your background or story, success can be achieved through hard work
and dedication.”
Business major Jahnyah Hughes: “I feel like it shaped my story (because I’m) doing it for my family: being the first
college student and letting my siblings know they can do it. And it is a good thing
to do for yourself and your future family so they know they can do it as well.”
Criminal Justice major Gianna Balut: “Being first-generation has shaped my perspective on life and college, and therefore,
has changed the trajectory of my story and success. By learning the ropes of college
on my own, I was able to find a new sense of independence, which helped me massively
in finding my place here in EOF, my sorority and in my position in the Career Center.”
Social Work major Aury Franco: “Being first-generation comes with many challenges that not many understand, but
remembering that this is something I want to accomplish is something that keeps me
going. Leaving behind a story for those behind me to follow, and they will have someone
who has gone through it before.”
Master of Business Administration student Priya Parikh: “Being a first-generation college student has helped shape my college education through
the support systems I have built at Stockton! I learned that being first-generation
is an identity to celebrate and use as a resource to build my network of other first-generation
college students who are in the career path I want to pursue!”
National First-Generation Week, celebrated the first week of November, recognizes
the challenges that first-generation students face when they are the first in their
families to pursue an undergraduate degree and honors the hard work and sacrifices
that they make in their journey.
Stockton University’s week-long celebration kicked off with a luncheon in which students
talked with guest speaker Daniel Jean, a first-generation student who went on to become
associate provost for Montclair University on Nov. 5.
The celebration then continued with Bingo Night on Nov. 6, where students played and
won prizes amongst their peers in the student organization First Ospreys.
During the First to Fly Dinner, students had the opportunity to mingle and network
in a blue, white and gold-bedazzled Multicultural Center while 25 current and former first-generation students received certificates, T-shirts,
pins and magnets.
Student holding up a First Ospreys T-shirt
Laura Leonel and Nicole Brown with William Latham, interim VP of Student Affairs
🎓 Q: What inspired you to complete a college education?
Social Work major Bryant Edmondson: “My pursuit of freedom led me to college, the gathering of intellectuals kept me there,
and being embraced, inspired, and empowered motivates me to finish my degree.”
Q: What inspired you to complete a college education?
Budget Administrator for the School of Arts & Humanities Madeline Perez:“I wanted a better future for myself.”
Associate Director of Financial Aid Jovina Bermudez: “My two young sons inspired me to complete my college education. I wanted a better
life for them and being a single mother, I knew that education was the way to provide
that life and example for them.”
Literature major Hannah Binetsky: “I always had to strive to give myself a better future, and college is the way to
guide me down that path.”
Business major Carla Rodas: “My biggest inspirations are my parents.”
Assistant Vice President for Student Health Zupenda Davis: “My two sisters and I were raised by my grandmom. She had an 8th-grade education and, decades later, received her GED. She instilled the values of
education and hard work in us. Seeing how hard she worked and the many sacrifices
she made for us so that we could go to college inspired me to get a college degree
(and advanced degrees).”
Psychology major Kady Toure: “I want to become a child psychologist.”
Business major Kisleidy Urena: “Being the first in my family to graduate inspired me to pursue my passions, show
what’s possible, and remind others to be their own biggest supporters. Always bet
on yourself!”
Psychology major Aurora Bey: “With my degree, I want to become a therapist and my own business owner.”
Graduate Coordinator for the Multicultural Center Aleyshka Barbosa (‘24/ M.A. ’25): “Every step I take in my educational journey is filled with purpose, resilience and
the strength of those who came before me. My commitment to learning and growth isn't
just for me—it's for my family, my community, and those who will follow in my footsteps.
By pursuing my education, I am lighting a path of possibility and empowerment that
will ripple through generations, proving that our dreams and our impact are limitless."
Accounting major Timaya McGowan: “My career path involves graduating with my Accounting degree and teaching people
of color financial literacy and how to establish generational wealth!”
Nicole Brown, president of First Ospreys, opened the Nov. 7 celebration with remarks
that demonstrated the importance of leaning on one’s support system, especially as
a first-generation Osprey.
Brown shared her experience of transferring to Stockton and immediately finding comfort
in her “newfound village.”
“They spoke about struggles I experienced, helped me with goal setting and created
an action plan for completing university that helped me build the confidence to get
over imposter syndrome,” Brown said. “First Ospreys is deeply rooted in community,
encouragement and support for our students, and that is what I love most about it.
I am deeply proud to be a first-generation student, and I'm proud of the work First
Ospreys does to ensure our students are supported.”
Laura Leonel, vice president of First Ospreys, echoed Brown’s sentiments and praised
the students in the room for taking the leap just as she did when she moved 60 miles
away from home to Stockton.
🎓 Q: Is there anything in particular you wish you knew prior to college that you could
share with first-generation students?
Business major Tony Guardado Castro: "I wish I knew it was okay to make mistakes."
Q: Is there anything in particular you wish you knew prior to college that you could
share with first-generation students?
Business major Tony Guardado Castro: "Being first-generation is difficult because you feel an immense amount of pressure
to succeed, and you feel like you can't afford to waste time, make mistakes or enjoy
the journey. It's okay to make mistakes because people won't remember your mistakes.
What people will remember is how you overcame and recovered from the mistake. It's
never how you fall but how you get up.”
Computer Science & Mathematics dual major Riya Goyal: “One thing I wish I had known prior to college is the importance of networking. Building
connections with others who share similar interests can open up numerous opportunities
and provide valuable support throughout your college journey.”
Digital Studies major Jade Rojas: “Even if you don’t know where you’re going to end up, the journey there is the most
important and fun. It does not matter how fast you get there as long as you get there!
The friends you make along the way will guide you to your path, and your interests
will start to emerge. Once they do, you can shine like you always wanted. Trust the
process!”
Assistant Coordinator for Social Work Hilda Rivera Rodriguez: "Siempre camina hacia adelante; no vallas para atras ni para cojer impulso." (“Always
walk forward; do not go backward or follow impulse.”)
“As first-generation students, you jump into uncharted waters because you have to:
you fill applications out, advocate for yourself and get yourself into these spaces
because you have to. As I close out, I would like to acknowledge that although being
first-generation comes with challenges, we are strong, resilient, trailblazers and paving
the way for future generations,” Leonel said.
As the celebration wrapped up, Jasmine Conteras of First Ospreys succinctly summed
up the week’s purpose: “We hope that you all leave here tonight feeling motivated
and proud of identifying as first-generation.”
– Story by Loukaia Taylor
– Photos by Lizzie Nealis
First-Gen Graduates Honored in Special Send-Off
April 23, 2024
Bianca Teixeira and Priya Parikh, the current president and vice president of the
student organization First Ospreys, pose for a selfie with Lillian Nickens, one of
the club's co-founders, during a send-off for first-generation students on Thursday,
April 18.
This population of students – whose parents or immediate family members don’t currently
hold a four-year college/university degree – faces a unique set of challenges when
applying for and pursuing their own degrees.
In acknowledgment of these hurdles and the strength it took to be able to complete
their university journey, graduating first-generation students were honored with gifts,
dinner and more in a send-off celebration on Thursday, April 18, in the Multicultural
Center.
The send-off was an opportunity for students to reflect on their achievements before
walking across the stage in May. Before the program began, students reminisced on
their favorite on-campus memories, which included completing theEducational Opportunity FundSummer Academy, creating new student clubs like theMexican Student Associationand First Ospreys, and attending the DeeperSPACESretreat.
For students Jared Handelman andBianca Teixeira, one of those achievements included attending 2024’s First Generation Student Career
Leadership Experience in Miami. The two-day conference had a profound impact on how
they viewed their identities as first-generation students and demonstrated how much
power they have on campus as student leaders.
For 2023’s First-Generation Week celebration, we asked students to share what it means
to be a first-generation student (or First Osprey), how it impacted their college
experience and what support they have received since choosing Stockton University
for #StocktonVoices.
