By Maurisa Warren

More than 100 first-generation college students and their family members arrived at West Chester University in late August for the inaugural event of West Chester’s First, a new program designed to help first-generation students succeed in college.

The students and their family members spoke with WCU President Christopher Fiorentino, faculty, staff, and other students.

“It’s a program specifically designed to help students successfully navigate, matriculate into, through, and out of West Chester University,” said Dr. Zebulun Davenport, Vice President of Student Affairs.

Judy Kawamoto, the Assistant Vice President of Student Development, is currently working on monthly programs for both new and returning first-generation students.

“Later in September, we are planning an event that focuses on things students should be doing in the first month in college,” Kawamoto said. “Each month, we are looking to have two events, one tied to an established event, like Homecoming, and one designed particularly for first-generation students, for instance a social or study skills event.”

First-generation student Hassan Gomes explained how beneficial the program is.

“A lot of times, maybe you have a situation where you go home and talk to your parents about things that are going on in college, and they might not be able to relate,” he said. “So having that support system there that helps you is super important.”

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