With nearly half of all students at Aims Community College identifying as first-generation, the College makes it a priority to provide them with resources, support, events and community to help them succeed.
Empowering First-Generation Students: Aims Hosts Events and Expands Initiatives
October 30, 2024
TRIO advisor Arizbe Soto-Ramirez hugs student Lauryn Niblett at the 2024 TRIO Spring 2024 End of the Year Celebration.
A first-generation college student (commonly referred to as first-gen) is an individual whose parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college or university degree. First-gen students often face challenges navigating higher education and have lower education completion rates than their peers.
In honor of National First-Generation College Student Day, Aims is holding first-gen celebrations on the Greeley, Windsor, Fort Lupton and Loveland campuses on November 7. Each campus will host events that include snacks, giveaways, prizes, activities and more. Students will also have an opportunity to sign a “Pledge to Graduate” poster, affirming their commitment to completing their academic journey.
Aims Leverages National Network to Elevate First-Gen Student Experience
These celebration events are one element in a broader commitment to empower and guide first-generation Aims students. Earlier this year, Aims was selected to join the FirstGen Forward Network, one of only a few community colleges in the group. As a FirstGen Forward Network member, Aims administrators, faculty, and staff have opportunities to engage with other schools to improve the experiences and success of first-generation students. Internally, Aims established a FirstGen Forward task force to focus on this population.
Bernadette Cordova co-chairs the task force and is also the director of TRIO Student Support Services at Aims. “Joining First-Gen Forward is a great step for Aims,” she said. “ It’s not just about what we can give our first-gen students — it’s also about what we can learn from a larger network and how we can grow as an institution to serve them better.”
This academic year, the FirstGen Forward Taskforce is conducting a needs assessment. The team is also researching new initiatives to increase support for first-generation students. The committee will propose the best ideas to Aims leadership for approval and implementation.
TRIO Empowers First-Generation Students to Succeed
An Aims student receives tutoring at the TRIO office.
The TRIO Student Support Services program at Aims has provided a vital lifeline to students from underrepresented backgrounds for more than 20 years. The federally funded initiative supports 280 students each year — 160 in its classic program and 120 focused on STEM fields — by offering personalized academic and personal development resources to first-generation, low-income, and disabled students.
As first-generation students may not have other family members who have attended college, TRIO helps fill some gaps. “First-gen students don’t know what they don’t know. They come in not having the insider knowledge of college that others might have,” Cordova said. “Our role is to be that guiding hand, offering resources and support so they don’t have to figure it all out alone.”
TRIO offers a variety of services to help students achieve their goals:
- Academic Advising: Students receive personalized guidance in course selection, academic planning, and transfer assistance.
- Tutoring Services: Free one-on-one and group tutoring is available in high-demand subjects.
- Peer Mentoring: Experienced students help newcomers navigate college life and academics.
- Financial Literacy: Workshops on budgeting, financial aid, and scholarship applications empower students to manage their finances effectively.
- Workshops and Cultural Events: Opportunities for leadership development and cultural enrichment activities support students’ personal and professional growth.
“We take care of the whole student. It’s not just about academics; it’s about addressing their needs beyond the classroom,” Cordova said. “We’re there from point A to point B, helping them reach their graduation or transfer goals with as few bumps as possible.”
Looking ahead, TRIO at Aims plans to expand its peer mentoring program by increasing the number of mentors and providing enhanced training on cultural competency and mental health support. Additionally, the program aspires to develop more robust career pathways through partnerships with Aims’ Career Services and introduce a new engagement strategy featuring more virtual events and flexible scheduling.
“We’re dedicated to continually evolving and enhancing the support we provide,” said Cordova. “First-gen students are amazing, and they have my heart. We’re here to celebrate their journey. They are breaking new ground, and that’s something truly special.”
Learn about Aims’ TRIO Support Services at aims.co/TRIO.
You can also read a guest column in the Greeley Tribune by John W. Haefeli, an Aims Board of Trustees member, on the importance of first-gen programs at Aims Community College.
