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By Yash Markendey and Skye Garcia
Medill News digital journalists
Published December 4, 2023
Krissy McGee’s family never stays in one place for too long. Growing up, she moved over 11 times, most recently landing in Aurora, Illinois– just an hour’s drive from Northwestern University, where she’s spent her last four years studying, working and building community as one of Northwestern’s first-generation students.
Last month, McGee won the first “I’m First: Trailblazer Award,” which honors an ambitious first-generation student for demonstrating academic excellence and commitment to community. The I’m First committee received over 50 nominations– many of which named McGee.
“I never thought I would be recognized for just trying to make it through the day,” says McGee, reflecting on the I’m First celebration. “I never felt like I was going above and beyond. I felt like I was doing what I had to do.”
The award was part of Northwestern’s first week-long program to celebrate first-generation students. Assistant Director of Student Enrichment Services Mayra Garces took part in the organization of I’m First week.
I'm First Programming- Fall 2023
Wednesday, November 1st
First Gen B(rock)fast | 10:30-11:30 AM @ The Rock
Kick off I'm First week with free coffee and pastries! First Gen student are invited to add their name to an I’m First canvas which will be displayed in SES.
Thursday, November 2nd
I’m First Swag Pick Up- Faculty and Staff | 3:00-4:30 pm @ SES, Foster Walker House 6
We want you to have I’m First pride! SES and the Office of FGLI Initiatives invite staff and faculty who identify as first-generation college students to pick up swag and proudly wear it on designated I’m First days- this quarter its Wednesday, November 8th, which is also National First Gen Day.
Friday, November 3rd
APIDA Solidarity & FGLI |10:00-11:30 AM @ MCC (1936 Sheridan Road)
Join MSA’s APIDA Solidari-Tea to connect with APIDA students who identify as FGLI students at NU and visit SES for a little treat at the end! If you have any questions, please reach out to MSA Assistant Director, Rignesha (she/they) at rprajapati@northwestern.edu or apida-msa@u.northwestern.edu. Visit bit.ly/APIDA-CAL for event details such as RSVP options.
Friday, November 3rd
I’m First Swag Pick Up- Students | 12:30-2:00pm @ Norris
We want you to have I’m First pride! We invite undergraduate students who identify as first-generation college students to pick up swag and proudly wear it on designated, I’m First days- this quarter its Wednesday, November 8th, which is also National First Gen Day.
Monday, November 6th
I’m First Storytelling: Faculty and Student Mixer | 7:00-8:00 PM @ Allison Faculty Residence
In celebrating you, we also want to celebrate your stories. Student Enrichment Services (SES) and Professor Myrna Garcia invite you for an intimate dinner and a lighthearted conversation as we discuss what it means to be first gen scholars at Northwestern. RSVP Required. Catering from Joy Yee provided!
Please RSVP by Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 at 11:59 PM CST
Tuesday, November 7th
I’m First Swag Pick Up-Students | 3:00-4:30 pm @ SES, Foster Walker House 6
We want you to have I’m First pride! We invite undergraduate students who identify as first-generation college students to pick up swag and proudly wear it on designated, I’m First days- this quarter its Wednesday, November 8th, which is also National First Gen Day.
Wednesday, November 8th
Work the Room: "I am not Invisible" Workshop | 12:00-1:30 PM @NCA, 620 Lincoln St.
Join us for the Work The Room: I Am Not Invisible Workshop to learn from Jose Santos, Associate Director and BIPOC/FGLI Team Lead at NCA, how to share FGLI experiences to an employer and graduate school when presented with the question of "Tell me about yourself?" in an interview. WTR team of SaShay Butler, Yari Gallegos and Jose Santos will also discuss upcoming WTR programming and events. Click this link to RSVP and please contact SaShay Butler for questions.
Wednesday, November 8th
I’m First Celebration | 6:00-7:30 pm @ Segal Visitor Center
SES invites faculty, staff, and students to celebrate First-Generation college students' journeys and accomplishments with an evening of food and community. The celebration will start with mingling and photo booth fun, followed by a formal program.
We are excited to welcome our keynote speaker, Mesmin Destin, Associate Professor of Psychology and Human Development and Social Policy and Faculty Director of Student Access and Enrichment, Northwestern University. He will speak on the role of community in the success of BIPOC and first-generation college students.
We are also excited for the Black Poetry Society’s spoken word performance and to award for the first time at Northwestern University the I’m First: Trailblazer Award and the I’m First: Faculty Advocate Award.
Please RSVP by Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 11:59 PM CST
Thursday, November 9th
Work the Room: Alumni Dinner | 6-7:30 PM @ Guild Lounge
Join us for Work The Room: Alumni Dinner. The Alumni Dinner is an opportunity for current FGLI students to connect and network with NU Alumni from various fields. Please RSVP here.
“We really wanted a place for students to come and be in community,” she says. SES offers several programs for incoming FGLI students, including cohort-based programs like Compass– a year-long peer mentorship program– and Knight Community Scholars, which provides individual and group advising, community-building opportunities, and workshops.
As an incoming freshman, McGee was hand-selected by SES to join Northwestern’s Knight Community Scholars. McGee, surrounded by other FGLI students, began to embrace the label.
“This is a group of people with a unique subset of skills and experiences,” she says. “And we deserve to recognize that.”
Although programs like Compass and Knight Community Scholars provide mentorship to FGLI students, not all eligible students take part. Knight Community Scholars selects 30-40 students each year and Compass selects 30, says Garces.
“We’re still not touching all first-gen students in those programs,” she says. This year, Northwestern admitted over 300 first-generation undergraduate students, which leaves quite a few students unaccounted for.
While I’m First week was a promising start, SES wants future programs “to reflect the unique experiences and challenges of FGLI students,” says Garces. SES also plans to boost “relationship building between faculty and students” and improve– or construct– support networks for all first-generation students at Northwestern.
Some first-generation students have support networks outside of the university. Although third-year Fadi Youhana navigated the college admissions process alone, he was able to guide his younger sister through her college applications– now, she is a second-year at Notre Dame. Youhana credits his mother for all his achievements.
“My mom did everything she could’ve done,” he says.
Youhana’s mother valued higher education. She encouraged him and his younger sister to do well academically and apply to competitive universities.
“My mom, I call her at least every other day” he says, “She's the biggest reason I’m here.”