Funding First-Gen: Campaign strengthens support for first-generation students at OSU
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | editor@okstate.edu
At Oklahoma State University, 20-25% of students identify as first-generation, meaning their parents or guardians did not earn a four-year college degree.
These students often encounter unique obstacles, ranging from difficulty navigating financial aid and academic requirements to feeling isolated in an unfamiliar environment. However, OSU is dedicated to supporting these students and enhancing their college experience.
To broaden available resources, the OSU Foundation launched Cowboys United for First-Gen Students on Sept. 17. The two-day campaign saw overwhelming enthusiasm from the OSU community, raising an impressive $209,316 from 402 donors. This total was made possible through generous matching contributions from the Paul M. Milburn Fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and the Mendenhall Foundation, effectively doubling every gift’s impact.
"Throughout this campaign, our first-generation students became advocates for their
own futures. Their voices and stories inspired the OSU community, highlighting the
importance of supporting first-generation students.”
The funds raised will benefit first-generation students across all OSU campuses, facilitating the expansion of existing initiatives such as peer mentoring programs, family engagement events, and scholarships for housing and meal plans.
“These funds will have a transformative impact on our first-generation students, offering them essential support through scholarships and resources that will pave the way for their academic success,” said Adrian Matthys, OSU Foundation assistant vice president of pipeline growth and readiness. “With these resources, we empower first-generation students to pursue their dreams and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.”
One of OSU’s most successful first-generation initiatives is F1RST2GO, a yearlong mentorship program for first-year students. Participants connect with fellow first-generation students and benefit from a robust support system. Each student is paired with a mentor who has achieved academic success at OSU, guiding them through their transition to full-time student life. Currently, F1RST2GO supports 180 students.
OSU also participates in the First-Gen Forward initiative, a national model dedicated to the success of first-generation students. The OSU First-Gen Forward Council actively works to improve retention and success rates, ensuring these students feel a sense of belonging on campus.
During the campaign, students played a vital role in raising awareness and encouraging participation. Their efforts fostered a culture of student philanthropy, leading to contributions from fellow students.
“Throughout this campaign, our first-generation students became advocates for their own futures,” said Rebecca Nievar, OSU Foundation director of pipeline growth. “Their voices and stories inspired the OSU community, highlighting the importance of supporting first-generation students.”
Students like Rustin Hoover, a junior from Broken Bow, Oklahoma, enjoyed talking with his peers during the two-day event. He and other members of the OSU Student Foundation set up tables on campus to inform their peers about the initiative.
“Being in the middle of campus allowed us to engage with students who were not aware of the campaign,” Hoover said. “We shared what it means to be first-generation, as well as how these funds will impact first-generation students, ultimately raising awareness about their experiences.”
Social media also served as a powerful platform for outreach. Several first-generation student-athletes, including Micaela Wark from Cowgirl softball and Jaxen Wright from Cowboy wrestling, shared their stories, emphasizing the campaign’s significance and how it resonates with their own experiences.
OSU’s commitment to first-generation students is further exemplified by leaders like OSU Provost Jeanette Mendez. Dr. Mendez, a first-generation college graduate herself, understands the challenges these students face.
“For me, being a first-generation college student is my entire identity,” Mendez said. “I wouldn’t be here, in my profession, if it wasn’t for myself having lived it, having learned all about the collegiate experience, which I had no experience with being first-generation.”
Mendez emphasized that many OSU faculty and staff are first-generation college graduates. This shared experience fosters a community that is uniquely equipped to support the needs of first-generation students.
Cowboys United For First-Gen Students not only raised critical funds but also continued to establish a sense of community, ensuring that these students have the resources they need to thrive academically and personally. The impact of this campaign will resonate for years to come, creating lasting change for generations of Cowboys.
For more information on how you can support first-generation students at OSU, contact Annie Wells at awells@OSUgiving.com or 918-282-0422.
Alberto Arrieta
Junior, Computer Science
Arrieta wouldn’t be at OSU without the help he received along the way. His family, friends, counselors and scholarships all made his dream of a college education possible.
Many first-generation students enter college at a disadvantage, without knowing the basic context or skills most students arrive on campus with. Despite this, Arrieta has experienced firsthand how OSU’s environment allows students like him to thrive.
Arrieta immediately was supported by F1RST2GO, where he learned how to get involved on campus and where to find help when he gets stuck. It has motivated him to succeed, and he continues to use these resources every week of his college career.
“First-gen services and scholarships take a tremendous amount of stress away from students who aren’t prepared, who are scared and who don’t know where to start for no fault of their own. My education would not have been possible without those services.”
Hannah Matross
Sophomore, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Matross knows being a first-generation student is about more than just her.
A native of Wylie, Texas, Matross believes she is paving the way for the next generation.
“Attending college can feel very isolating when your family has limited knowledge to help you through the process. I hope I can help future generations of my family also go to college and open up so many opportunities for them, like it has for me.”
Still, arriving at OSU was a nerve-wracking experience for her. But Matross quickly found success with the assistance of the F1RST2GO program.
She was provided with a mentor who helped her navigate her freshman year, including finding academic resources, getting involved with campus activities, and dealing with burnout.
“When I was first preparing for college, it was intimidating because I didn’t know what to expect. But with the help of OSU’s resources, my freshman year at OSU was one of the best experiences of my life.”
Dalonda Cavitt
Sophomore, Nutrition Sciences
A Tulsa native, Cavitt is an example of how OSU’s support for first-generation students goes beyond the specific first-gen programs. Her involvement in clubs and work helped her acclimate to the college experience, receiving guidance from those around her.
Now that she has become comfortable on campus, she wants to share that knowledge with others so they can adjust more easily. Cavitt is motivated to follow her dreams and create a better future for herself, an opportunity that wouldn’t be possible without those who support OSU’s first-generation students.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the support that goes to first-gen students like us. It gives us the confidence that we might not get from family or have created for ourselves. Knowing someone believes in you just gives me that extra push.”
Photos by: Bryanna Freer
Story by: Estefania Martinez and Grant Ramirez | STATE Magazine