Looking to provide first generation college students with resources to succeed in school, Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) organized a resource fair last week.
Kyrstie Lane, project director of TRIO Student Support Services Programs and Early Outreach & Support Programs explained that the purpose of the fair was to spotlight different organizations on campus available to first generation students. Resources present included mentorships, advisors and scholarship opportunities that make a difference in getting a degree.
“I think that first generation students have just this little extra barrier to achieving their college degrees in terms of knowing what the journey is going to be like,” said Lane.
Some of the organizations that were providing these resources included: Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA), Associated Students (AS), Cooperative Learning Center (CLC), Project Rebound, El Centro, TRIO, College Corps and Basic Needs.
Katherine Ramos, a senior year psychology-major, first generation student and mentor with the CLC, explained how the services provided by the center help students succeed academically by providing tutoring in subjects like (but not limited to) writing, English, mathematics and business.
“We also do workshops where we actually come to your class and talk about services and provide students with some work. Basically anything students need help with,” said Ramos
Ramos said that as a first generation student she felt supported by CSUMB because a lot of professors understood the difficulty and challenges she faces. She said she was provided information and resources, like how to find out which classes she needed to fulfill her major.
Another organization that was present at the event was TRIO, a program that supports students through academics, professional and personal development workshops.
Coral Cisneros, a marine science major and first generation student who works for TRIO, said the organization helped her choose the correct classes and point her toward the Personal Growth and Counseling Center (PGCC).
“When I reached out to TRIO, and I got accepted, they provided a workshop on how to budget, financial literacy, and a workshop on self-care, I think that was the main one,” said Cisneros.
Students who assisted at the workshop were provided with refreshments such as lemonade and sodas, and desserts such as brownies and cookies.