The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has been awarded a grant to support its initiatives celebrating first-generation college students. The grant, provided by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and FirstGen Forward with support from TIAA and the Strada Education Foundation, will fund a First Generation Family Night event at CCRI’s Lincoln Campus on November 7, 2024.
The event is part of CCRI’s celebration of First-Generation College Celebration Day, observed annually on November 8th. This day recognizes the achievements of first-generation college students, faculty, and staff, highlighting their journeys and addressing the systemic barriers they often face in higher education.
“CCRI is proud to have a vibrant first-generation community and we are honored to receive this grant,” said CCRI Interim President Dr. Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D. RN, herself a first-generation college graduate. More than half of CCRI’s students identify as first-generation, as do many faculty and staff.
The grant emphasizes the importance of supporting these students. “First-generation college students bring unique perspectives and resilience to our campuses,” stated COE President Kimberly Jones. “This grant empowers institutions like the Community College of Rhode Island to continue providing the necessary resources and support for these students to thrive.”
Maurice Jones, CEO of FirstGen Forward, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the grant’s role in fostering innovation and creating lasting impact for first-generation students.
The First-Generation College Celebration, launched in 2017 by COE and FirstGen Forward, unites hundreds of college campuses nationwide to celebrate this often-overlooked population through various events.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
