Raleigh Hightower
Staff Writer
[email protected]
The Center for Student Engagement and Success hosted its third annual first-generation celebration on Nov. 4 to recognize and celebrate students who are the first in their families that are on the path to graduate from college.
The Center for Student Engagement and Success dedicates their work to helping students find success through guidance, support and looking after the personal well-being of students.
The Center for Student Engagement and Success is led by director Peggy Whaley and assistant director Jennifer Smith.
“All new students attending college for the first time have a steep learning curve,” said Whaley. “First-generation students who have not had parents who have completed a college degree may have an even steeper learning curve because they may not have a close relative who can mentor them through the college experience.”
In addition to connection with first-generation students, the Center for Student Engagement and Success is involved in other initiatives on campus. Two such initiatives are Racers Empower: Healthy Minds, Healthy Campus and Racers Reconnect.
“Racers Empower: Healthy Minds, Healthy Campus is an initiative which promotes mental health and well-being, and meets the last Monday of every month,” said Smith. “Racers Reconnect is a new initiative targeting our second-year students who didn’t have the traditional first-year experience due to COVID. We meet monthly to share resources that help students stay on track and connect with their peers.”
The first-generation celebration’s keynote speaker was Murray State Alumna Alyson Van Hooser. Van Hooser, a 2010 graduate, detailed her own experiences as a first-generation student.
“It is going to take people like us paving the way, speaking up and building relationships with these students . . . it takes us taking them by the hand and leading them on that journey. That is what ‘We are Racers’ means,” said Van Hooser.
Following her academic career at Murray State, Van Hooser found success in the food, retail and finance industries, and served as a city councilmember. Van Hooser has also released a book titled “LEVEL UP.”
“LEVEL UP” explains what someone needs to do to gain respect, find opportunity and to achieve success. “LEVEL UP” also teaches effective, professional strategies to use approaching things like networking and leadership.
The celebration also included remarks by Whaley; Tim Todd, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Jennifer Smith, Assistant Director of the Center for Student Engagement and Success; Abby Hensley, Director of Development for Student Affairs and Hutson School of Agriculture and Don Robertson, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
Other notable guests at the celebration included Murray State alumni Travis and Kelly Taylor, class of 2011. Travis and Kelly Taylor were both first-generation students during their time at Murray State.
Travis and Kelly have created Murray State’s first scholarship honoring first-generation students which will be awarded during the 2022-2023 academic year.
The first ever first-generation celebration at Murray State was hosted in 2019, and last year’s celebration was hosted virtually. Moving forward, the Center for Student Engagement would like to continue to improve the event.
“We’ll continue to have a great keynote speaker and recognize students,” said Whaley. “We may include a student panel so that students can share their experiences and suggestions for success with their peers. Next year, we’ll also be able to recognize the first recipient of the Travis and Kelly Taylor First-Generation Student Scholarship.”
The Center for Student Engagement and Success encourages all students to get involved with their on campus initiatives. Student Engagement and Success also encourages students to fill out their general scholarship application by Feb. 7. All eligible first-generation students who submit the general scholarship application will be considered for the Travis and Kelly Taylor First-Generation Scholarship.
