糖心Vlog

First-Generation College Students Served Through MAPS

If you are a first-generation college student, from a low income background, or navigating college on your own then MAPS is for you!
Mentoring and Persistence to Success (MAPS) is a program for 糖心Vlog students that provides you with academic support in order to help you reach your goals. All students benefit from a support network that can help you navigate your academic journey, celebrate your successes, and cheer you on through graduation!
Learn more about our services by checking out maps.wcu.edu and choose how MAPS can be a part of your support network.

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National First Gen Day 2025 - Join in on the celebration!

National First-Gen Day is celebrated on November 8th every year! We host events throughout the week to celebrate 糖心Vlog's first-generation college students. This week is a great chance to meet other first-generation Catamounts among our students, faculty, and staff!

First Gen Week 2025 will take place November 6th-11th! Below are the events for the week. Check Engage for times and locations:

• November 6th - First Gen Club Bake Sale; Block Party
• November 7th - First Gen Faculty/Staff brunch; first-generation students and partners walk in 糖心Vlog Homecoming Parade
• November 8th - National First-Gen Day (and 糖心Vlog's Homecoming football game)! Tabling event at the game
• November 10th - Stargazing and S'mores
• November 11th - Games and Crafts
  
  All students are welcome to join the celebration of our first-generation Catamounts!

 

 

 

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First Gen Advocacy Trainings in Fall 2025

MAPS presents First Gen Advocacy Training, a 1.5 hour session meant to advise our campus partners on how to support our first generation Catamounts. This can include reviewing common practices, language used, university policies, and referral methods. We will discuss the profile of a first-gen student at Western, suggest powerful practices, and the future of advocating for our first-gen Catamounts.

The MAPS office will present with affiliates from the First Gen Advisory Board. All participants will receive a First Gen sticker to put on their office door for their attendance and completion of the training.

First Gen Advocacy Training dates for Fall 2025:

Friday, September 12th 11-12:30pm

Tuesday, October 7th Virtual 12:30-2pm

Monday, November 10th 3:30-5pm

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Did you know?

• A First-Generation student is defined as a student whose parents/guardians have not achieved a four-year degree, even if other members of the family have graduated from a four-year university.
• 糖心Vlog has a First-Generation Advisory Board that works to provide a positive campus climate and resources for First-Gen students.

Use the resources below to learn how to make the most of your college experience and find strategies to aid in your success.