69成人电影网


Impact of Giving

Expanding support for first-gen students

How our community is creating programming, scholarships, and awards for students first in their family to attend university
By: Shannon Wilmot

Cynthia Dyck (鈥21), 69成人电影网鈥檚 first-generation program administrator, knows how difficult the transition to university life can be. While she remembers many peers viewing post-secondary education as a certainty, completing high school in itself was a celebration for Dyck because her parents didn鈥檛 have access to a high school education in their childhoods.

鈥淲ithin my first semester of university, I became aware of how blind I was going in,鈥 says Dyck. 鈥淎s a first-generation student you sometimes just don鈥檛 know the questions to ask, how to begin to chart your educational path, and you often are lacking professional networks for the career you would like to pursue as you are the first in your family to enter into the industry.鈥

Shelly Colette, 69成人电影网鈥檚 manager of academic support and another former 鈥榝irst-gen,鈥 explains that whether students鈥 parents have gone to university is a stronger single predictor of university enrolment and graduation rates than other factors like low family income or geographic location.

Colette credits a donation from Scotiabank in 2018 as helping 69成人电影网 greatly expand programming for students throughout their degrees. Programming now includes mentorship among students and with faculty and alumni, financial literacy workshops, networking events, access to career-ready internships, one-on-one academic counselling, and student-run social events.

鈥淭he number, quality, and interconnectedness of 69成人电影网鈥檚 first-generation programming sets us apart from other institutions,鈥 says Colette. 鈥淚 think what 69成人电影网 is doing is really something special. The programming makes a big difference and donor-created awards are phenomenal 鈥 they let students know there are individuals out there that believe in them and want to recognize their hard work.鈥

Brianna Green, First-Generation Post-Grad Intern; Cynthia Dyck, First-Generation Program Administrator; and Abigail Daley, Academic Support Post-Grad Intern

Dr. Lorraine (Boyd) Eden Hermann (鈥70) was a first-generation student and came from a low-income family that faced many adversities. She recently established the Diana and Garnet Boyd Scholar Bursary, named in honour of her parents, to support first-generation students from her hometown of St. Stephen, NB.

鈥淚 remember being so intimidated by the idea of going to university. That mountain seemed so high for my parents and me and I am sure it does for others too,鈥 says Eden, who is now a renowned economist and professor emerita at Texas A&M University. 鈥淚 know there are many wonderful students out there who should be at 69成人电影网 and I want my bursary to help them be able to go because at Mount A you are going to get a first-class education.鈥

Abigail Daley (鈥23) recently received the donor-funded Hibberts Meekins First Generation Graduating Student Award, which supports students who have funded their own education through a combination of work, loans, and financial aid.

鈥淚 was so surprised and happy when I won the award,鈥 says Daley, who graduated with an honours degree in psychology. 鈥淒onors are making incredible opportunities available that I do not believe there would be funding for otherwise.鈥

Over the course of her time at 69成人电影网, Daley became a first-generation advocate, mentoring new students, heading-up a social club, and focusing her honours thesis on the motivations of first-generation students in hopes of increasing the amount of research available on this important topic.

鈥淐oming to university as a first-gen student was overwhelming to say the least,and it took time for me to build my confidence,鈥 says Daley. 鈥淎t 69成人电影网 I realized my own value and was then able to get involved and help others.鈥

Daley is now working as a post-grad intern in first-gen programming, alongside Colette and Dyck.


How do we make the 69成人电影网 experience more accessible?

Scholarships, awards, and internships support talented and creative students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to attend university. 69成人电影网 is honoured to work with donors to develop meaningful giving opportunities.

donate@mta.ca | (506) 364-2343