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The top of Pioneer Hall through vibrant fall leaves on the trees.

Meet Your First-Gen Peers

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First-Generation Stories

Voices of ÃÛѨÊÓƵ

Aerial view of ÃÛѨÊÓƵ's McMinnville campus looking over Pioneer Hall.
Brooke Brown '23 working in the library with a fellow student.
Aerial view of ÃÛѨÊÓƵ's McMinnville campus looking over Pioneer Hall.
Her Untraditional Journey to ÃÛѨÊÓƵ
“I do think that coming to ÃÛѨÊÓƵ was pretty much the best thing for me,” Brooke Brown '23 said. “It opened up so many different opportunities, ideas, friendships and relationships that I wouldn’t have had before.”
Meet Brooke
ÃÛѨÊÓƵ banner on a light post.
Portrait of Marques Herrera Kuehn '23
ÃÛѨÊÓƵ banner on a light post.
Writing His Own Story
As a first-generation student beginning his last semester of college, Marques Herrera Kuehn '23 says "I am fulfilling a chapter in my family’s life that has never been opened. And I am the one writing it.”
Meet Marques
The top of Pioneer Hall through an oak tree
Portrait of Heriberto Chavez Bolanos '23
The top of Pioneer Hall through an oak tree
Building Meaningful Relationships
“When I met with my advisor, she was very welcoming, very warm and she made me feel at home,” said Heriberto Chavez Bolanos '23. “I created friendships, not only with other students but also with faculty and staff.”
Meet Heriberto Chavez Bolanos '23
The inside of Mary Bridge Children's Health Center
Mia Naccarato '24 outside of Mary Bridge Children's Health Center
The inside of Mary Bridge Children's Health Center
Unforgettable Experience
Mia Naccarato '24 was nominated by faculty for ÃÛѨÊÓƵ’s Presidential Impact Internship Program. It changed the course of her undergraduate studies.
Meet Mia
the courtyard outside of Riley Hall in the spring
Lucy Kerr '24 sitting down outside of Starbucks, smiling
the courtyard outside of Riley Hall in the spring
A Helping Hand
For sophomore Lucy Kerr '24, helping others has always been the priority. The pre-nursing major came into ÃÛѨÊÓƵ as a first-generation student. She now lends a helping hand to those in the same position.
Meet Lucy
a vibrant performance of dancers at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ's 2021 Hispanic Heritage Celebracion
group photo of students and Folklórico dancers at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ's 2021 Hispanic Heritage Celebracion
a vibrant performance of dancers at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ's 2021 Hispanic Heritage Celebracion
Honoring Latinx Culture
ÃÛѨÊÓƵ Latinx Adelante (LULA) organizes the annual Hispanic Heritage Celebración at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ during Hispanic Heritage Month. It is a festival with live music, food from all over Latin America, activities for kids, and a variety of vendors showcasing different Latino-owned goods.
Read more
the top of Pioneer Hall through the oak trees
portrait of Karina Alcantara Guerrero '23
the top of Pioneer Hall through the oak trees
Dedication to Diversity
"As a first-generation student, there's going to be times where [you feel] like you don't belong in this space. But you have to remember that you deserve what you have because you have worked for it and you shouldn't doubt your ability." 
Meet Karina
Sun shining through the trees in the academic quad
portrait of Ruby Trujillo '24 outside of Melrose Hall
Sun shining through the trees in the academic quad
Cultivating Community
As students explore the uncommon at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ, sophomore Ruby Trujillo '24 values the personal growth she has found through the growing diversity on campus.
Meet Ruby
An aerial view of the Oak Grove over Pioneer Hall staged for Commencement.
Portrait of Devin Thacker '23
An aerial view of the Oak Grove over Pioneer Hall staged for Commencement.
A Leader in the Making
Devin Thacker '23 reflects on the last four years and all that he’s accomplished. “Even though ÃÛѨÊÓƵ is small, this has been a very big experience.”
Meet Devin
the courtyard outside of Riley Hall in the spring
Lucy Kerr '24 sitting down outside of Starbucks, smiling
the courtyard outside of Riley Hall in the spring
A Helping Hand
For sophomore Lucy Kerr '24, helping others has always been the priority. The pre-nursing major came into ÃÛѨÊÓƵ as a first-generation student. She now lends a helping hand to those in the same position.
Meet Lucy
Eleven ÃÛѨÊÓƵ first-generation students inducted into the Tri-Alpha honor society

National Honor Society

Alpha Alpha Alpha

Alpha Alpha Alpha, or Tri-Alpha, is a national honor society that recognizes academic achievement among first-generation students. ÃÛѨÊÓƵ's Tri-Alpha Bta Pi chapter was introduced in the fall of 2020 and is the first chapter in Oregon. May 2022 marked our inaugural induction event.

Portrait of Antonio Peña Anaya ’21 sitting at a desk

Spark Wonder

Knowledge is An Open Door

Antonio Peña Anaya ’21 is one of a growing number of ÃÛѨÊÓƵ students who will be the first in their family to earn a college degree. It was a difficult road – until he discovered ÃÛѨÊÓƵ.

photo collage of first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ

ÃÛѨÊÓƵ Magazine

The Faces of First-Gen

The faces of those who are the first in their families to attend college are as varied as the rest of our community. They represent all walks of life, all cultures, all socioeconomic backgrounds and include ÃÛѨÊÓƵ students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees.