Student Support Services
2021 First-Generation College Celebration
The First Generation College Committee and TRIO Student Support Services hosted the annual First-Generation College Celebration on November 30th through December 2nd, 2021 on all three curriculum campuses. These events were held to celebrate the annual National First-Generation College Celebration to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 on November 8th. Being a first-generation student means that neither one of your parent/s completed a bachelor's degree.
We are excited to announce that we celebrated over 200 CCCC first-generation faculty, staff, and students through recognizing their hard work, perseverance, and determination of being the first in their family to achieve/seek a higher education degree!
First-Generation Celebration 3-day event kicked off at the Lee Main Campus in the Student Center located in Hockaday Hall, the celebration then made its way to the Chatham Main Campus in the Holmes Room located in the Library, and wrapped up at the Harnett Main Campus in the Multipurpose room located in the Miriello Building. As CCCC faculty, staff, and students trickled in, they were greeted with hot cocoa and apple cider made with care and local chocolate chip and sugar cookies from a local bakery in Sanford. The events were decked out with whimsical holiday music, sounds of a crackling fireplace, and a magnificent balloon arch that participants could take pictures under. As participants stepped through the golden streamers in the doorway, they were greeted by event volunteers with warmth and excitement ready to celebrate.
Our shimmering photo booth station captured the moment with a polaroid camera. They say a picture is worth 1000 words, but nothing compared to the inspirational messages left behind on the hand cut-outs that each participant wrote about “What does being first-generation mean to me” or “I support first-generation students because”. We couldn’t let participants walk away with only holiday cheers, so we offered them the chance to “Step Right Up and Spin the Wheel”! Participants were happily surprised with various gift cards, prize cups filled with goodies, college supplies, and much more!
Can you believe that some of our participants showed up to support first-generation students and found out that they too were first-generation? It was clear that this event sparked feelings of being supported, welcomed, and recognized at CCCC. We are happy to report that new connections, support systems, and experiences were shared throughout these few days. We even had a group of students that formed new friendships with one another!
To bring meaning to the event, TRIO Student Support Services will honor the first-generation participants by displaying all of the inspirational messages and polaroid photos that were taken at the event. This “First-Generation Wall of Honor” will be located in Hockaday Hall, Student Center to raise awareness and continue to celebrate CCCC’s first-generation faculty, staff, and students who have overcome barriers and successfully navigated the world of college.
TRIO Students Support Services would like to thank all of the CCCC faculty and staff that helped accomplish these events.
First, we would like to thank the First-Generation Committee that helped plan and bring this event together through their continuous passion and support: Anthony Farrior, Bianka Stumpf, Constance Boahn, Dane Peterson, Candice Solis, Denise Martin, Falecia Simmons, Jennifer Dillon, Jairo McMican, Jessica Rogers, Jennifer Servi-Roberts, Kelvin Hunt, Katy Jones, Lauren Black, Princess Lane, Maryann Aucompaugh, Ryan Breeden, Scott Byington, Suzannah Palumbo, and Veronica Harrison.
We would especially like to acknowledge the volunteers who made the day of activities come to life and ensure this event felt special: Jessica Rogers, Ryan Breeden, Suzannah Palumbo, Veronica Harrison, Falecia Simmons, Jennifer Babb, Amy Gustavson, Seth Buchanan, Bianka Stumpf, Dean Heather Willett, Jennifer Dillon, Princess Lane, Candice Solis, Scott Byington, Jennifer Servi-Roberts, Holly Schofield, Lincoln Frye, Dane Peterson, Consuela Blaizes, Katy Jones, Cindy Page, Chef Regina Minter, and Chef Kelly Burton.
Thank you to Lauren Black, Tiffany Needham, and Kelly Brucker who helped facilitate conversations and awareness of recognizing the health science building students, faculty, and staff through requesting flyers and cookies to be passed out in order to help the people in those buildings feel special and celebrated.
Lastly, we deeply appreciate the special appearances made by Provost Mark Hall and Provost John Mathews and thank Dr. Chapman for her consistent support of CCCC’s first-generation faculty, staff, and students.
TRIO Student Support Services offers academic coaching, university transfer assistance, career counseling, financial literacy, cultural trips, grant aid, and so much more to currently enrolled students at CCCC. If you know a current CCCC student who is a first-generation college student, TRiO Student Support Services accepts and welcomes referrals through our website or by clicking this Faculty/Staff Referral Form. We also are open to visiting your class in person or virtually to speak to your students about TRIO SSS’s services. If you are interested in TRIO SSS visiting your class please sign up using this link: TRIO SSS_Spring 2022 Class Visit Form.