CAS celebrates National First-Generation Day 2024 by recognizing first-generation students and their faculty/staff advocates and allies
CAS celebrates National First-Generation Day 2024 by recognizing first-generation students and their faculty/staff advocates and allies
In observance of National First-Generation Day on Nov. 8, Dean Reneé Baernstein has announced the winners of the 2024 CAS first-generation awards: Associate Professor of English TaraShea Nesbit (a first-generation advocate), and two CAS first-generation students, Physics major Krist Ha (undergraduate) and Physican Associate Studies program graduate student Kelsie Jackson.
The 2024 Outstanding First-Generation Advocate Award, given to Nesbit, recognizes an outstanding member of the College of Arts and Science faculty or staff who has made significant contributions to the success of first-generation college students through mentorship/advising, pedagogical approach, scholarly research, first-generation focus programming, and initiatives, incorporation of first-generation student success strategies into their daily work, and/or service on committees whose mission is directly related to first-generation student success.
Ha and Jackson are the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding First-Generation Student Award, which recognizes an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student from the College of Arts and Sciences who will be the first in their family to earn a four-year degree. The student selected is someone who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service, as well as an unwavering determination to overcome obstacles in their pursuit of an education.
Outstanding First-Generation Student Award
Krist Ha (Undergraduate)
Physics major
"What does being first generation mean to you?"
Kelsie Jackson (Graduate Student)
Physician Associate Studies Program
"What does being first generation mean to you?"
Outstanding First-Generation Advocate Award
TaraShea Nesbit
Associate Professor of Creative Writing, Department of English