Chantal Tellez is looking forward to sharing her story of personal growth and perseverance as a first-generation student during the fifth annual First-Generation Friday Pathways to Success Summit November 3-4 at Illinois State University.
Hosted by TRIO, the First-Gen Summit will offer numerous sessions aimed at providing students the tools and resources for a successful college experience—including hearing from current first-generation students about their experiences. The event takes place ahead of National First-Generation College Celebration Day, which is November 8.
Nearly a third of Illinois State’s incoming class and 17% of the student body are first-generation students—the first in their family to attend college.
Tellez, a senior fashion design and merchandising major, wants attendees to learn about the support systems that are in place at Illinois State, through TRIO, to help first-generation students navigate college.
“They have helped me a lot with finding resources, scholarships, and opportunities that I didn’t think I would be able to have,” said Tellez.
One of these opportunities was traveling to Washington, D.C., with other TRIO members.
“Last year during last spring break, TRIO staff took students to Washington, D.C., to visit law schools, tour HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and to network,” said Tellez. “Although I am a fashion design and merchandising major, I do plan on becoming a lawyer. To be able to build that connection and network outside of ISU was really major to me.”
Brionna Ramirez, a first-generation sophomore social work major, is excited to attend her first summit.
“The agenda seems very beneficial and useful. I’m going to need all this information, like financial aid, mentor mapping, strengthen your why—I will use that,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez said she feels an immense amount of support, as a first-generation student, from TRIO.
As a hands-on learner, Ramirez is glad there will be interactive sessions, and she hopes to gain tools to help her in college and beyond. With plans to pursue a master’s in social work, she thinks the session about attending graduate school will be particularly beneficial.
“They really focus on you and prioritize you. We have an advisor, and she will print off the whole academic progress report and go step-by-step through telling me what I need to do,” said Ramirez. “That is super helpful because they have had the same experience as us.”
Dre Davidson, a junior social work major, will also serve as a student panelist during the summit. He credits TRIO with teaching him how to advocate for himself.
“I didn’t have the voice or knowledge I do now. Being around Dr. (Shatoya) Black, Makiah (Watson), or LaToya (Carter) has helped me a lot with getting advice and just talking with me,” said Davidson. “Makiah is my advisor and she helps me on a one-on-one level and can relate to my experience, as well.”
Davidson hopes students who attend the summit leave with stories that resonate with them and an understanding that TRIO is a valuable resource for first-generation students.
“I call TRIO a family because they really care about you as a student, but also most importantly, as a person,” said Davidson.
