Induction ceremony honors first-gen students
Twelve CSB+SJU students were inducted into an branch of the National Honors Society.
In an event hosted by the CSB+SJU First-Generation Organization and Multicultural Center this Sunday, 12 CSB+SJU students were inducted into the TriAlpha Honors Society—a part of the National Honors Society dedicated to first-generation students.
The inductees included CSB sophomore Samantha Anderson, CSB first-year April Diaz Bedolla, CSB sophomore Grace Dresser, CSB junior Beatriz Gabriel Agustin, CSB sophomore Marisa LaPlante, SJU first-year Brett Lund, SJU senior Evan Mattson, CSB sophomore Devani Montes, CSB junior Angelica Galan, SJU senior Ignacio Sánchez Romero, SJU sophomore Alfonso Segura Sanchez and CSB junior Alexis Torres.
Students attending the event heard from 2018 CSB alumna Zoua Pa Vang, who is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Inductees received a certificate and cords to wear during graduation.
SJU junior Jesus Medina Jr., an SJU first generation coordinator and first-generation student, described the goals of the Tri-Alpha Honors Society and First-Generation Organization.
“The main goal is networking and getting connected with people,” Medina said. “We’re trying to grow; we’re trying to get people into the honors society so that they can be inducted and recognized.”
The First-Gen Organization and Multicultural Center focus on providing resources and support for first-generation students. Diaz Bedolla is a CSB first generation coordinator and was inducted into the Tri-Alpha Honors Society during the ceremony.
“There are a lot of events and programs that are catered specifically for first-gen students that the First-Generation Organization has made. Some of those events and programs are the First-to-First Mentorship program, a FAFSA event, First-Gen Day and the First-Gen Mixer just to name a couple,” Diaz Bedolla said via email. “We also promote resources [on] both campuses that help first-generation students immensely, like The Study, XPD and career coaches, Academic Advising, Financial Aid and other services available.”
Many first-generation students lack the resources for both understanding and financing college because they don’t have parents to walk them through the process. Mattson, who is also the SJU Senate trustee, described his first experiences with financing and planning for college.
“I think finances, whether it be the FAFSA [or] financial aid process, was really confusing, and I had to educate myself alongside my mom on these items,” Mattson said via email. “Housing process, traveling to campus with a reliable truck, registration and so many other things were challenges I had to overcome being a first-generation student.”
The Multicultural Center and First-Gen Organization offer jobs for students, which can be a way for first-generation students to earn money while working for organizations made specifically for them.
“Right now, applications [for] the Multicultural Center, especially at the First-Generation Organization, are open, so if students want to come and be part of something good, they can,” Medina said.
During her speech at the ceremony, Vang described how she had to work through barriers and struggles because she was a first-generation student. Students, including Diaz Bedolla, echoed similar sentiments.
“Because the First-Gen Organization and Tri-Alpha recognize the struggles and achievements of first-gen students, it creates a common interest within the student body and it’s easier to connect,” Diaz Bedolla said. “That common interest is reinforced and celebrated with different events and programs that both organizations have to offer.”
Mattson, too, relayed the challenges that he faced early on as a first-generation student.
“I am privileged compared to many of my first-generation peers in the way that my sister helped pave a strong path for me to go to college. However, we both had our own experiences, and for me, when I came to college, it was only my sister that I knew on campus, and we couldn’t even see each other for months because of COVID,” Mattson said. “I know I experienced a lack of strong connections to the university, like saying dad is a Johnnie (like so many Johnnies on-campus). I also know the constant fear of ‘am I going to be able to afford this experience’ loomed and the term ‘networking’ wasn’t something I knew about before coming here.”
The ceremony ended with a social session where students could interact with each other, enjoy food or take pictures in a photo booth. Although the society is small, Diaz Bedolla indicated that she believes it will grow while sharing her enthusiasm for being inducted.
“I do see the First-Generation Organization and Tri-Alpha growing, and quickly,” Diaz Bedolla said. “Being inducted into Tri-Alpha as a freshman just starting college is very rewarding. I am very grateful for this opportunity, and it gives me more motivation to finish college strong. Getting the certificate and cords from Tri-Alpha, it makes me feel like I made the right decision when pursuing a higher education. I am very proud of being a part of TriAlpha, and I know that my family is equally proud of me.”
