First2Go, a multifaceted program meant to support and celebrate first-generation UCCS students, is shifting their focus primarily to students following a merger with MOSAIC.
At the start of this semester, First2Go merged with MOSAIC after the Office of Student and Family Connections was dissolved and its functions were incorporated across campus following the Division of Enrollment Management and Division of Student Affairs merger.
Prior to the organizational transition, First2Go’s goal was to assist first-generation staff and faculty members in addition to first-generation students and their families, but the program is still small, so it had a hard time financially supporting such a large undertaking. According to First2Go Coordinator Ashley San Miguel, the program has reprioritized under MOSAIC to now primarily focus on assisting students, which is 20% of undergrads.
San Miguel said that first-generation students are less familiar with college’s expectations and often struggle with the hidden curriculum or the implicit rules and expectations of college, which can lead to imposter syndrome and feeling out of place. The program aims to address challenges such as these by providing them with the proper tools to overcome these obstacles.
To combat these obstacles, First2Go offers a professional development course that reveals these rules and expectations by teaching things like knowing how to formally email professors, how to join undergraduate research projects and when to attend office hours. The program also hosts career-focused events that focus on topics like resume building and networking.
First2Go has a presentation they show to staff and faculty members about first-generation students and the unique challenges they face. The presentation is meant to raise awareness and teach professors and other staff members how they can support first-generation students.
First2Go posts stories that first-generation students have shared about their experiences in college on their Instagram. First-generation students can share their stories using this form. “It’s an opportunity for anyone who’s first-generation at UCCS to share their story and share their journey, or just share an accomplishment that they want us to celebrate,” San Miguel said.
Nov. 4 – Nov. 8 is national first-gen week, finishing with national first-generation day on Nov. 8.
In celebration, First2Go is hosting multiple events throughout the week:
Monday, Nov. 4
- Self-care Kickoff in the MOSAIC lounge (UC110) from 10 a.m – noon
- VMA Paint and Sip in the McCord-Herbst Student Veteran Center from 6 – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 5
- Coffee & Chat in the MOSAIC lounge from 8:30 a.m – noon
- First-Gen and Veteran Student Trivia in UC 124 from 1 – 2:30 p.m.
- Dinner and First-Gen Panel in Clyde’s Gastropub from 6 – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 6
- Networking 101 in MOSAIC lounge from 11 a.m – 12:30 p.m.
- Knowing When to Ask for Help in Wellness Center Zen Den from 2 – 3 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 7
- First-Gen in STEM Research Panel in Excel Science Center (CENT 204) from 10 – 11 a.m.
- First-Gen Faculty & Staff Workshop in Dwire 204 from noon – 1:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 8
- Gratitude Gathering Drop-In in MOSAIC lounge from 11 a.m – 2 p.m.
- Alumni Mixer in Dwire 204 from 6 – 8 p.m.
Photo courtesy of UCCS Photography Database.