University celebrates first gen students in college transition

Students at the University of Rhode Island gathered on the Quad for National First Generation College Student Day on Friday, celebrating with music, food and access to campus resources.

About one in three full-time, first-year students at URI are first-generation college students, according to URI’s website. To support these students in their transition to college life, the event offered information about finances, advertised student organizations and featured booths about club sports.

The goal of the celebration was to make resources known and accessible to students, according to Brandon Sousa, a career advisor at URI and a first-generation college student himself.

“Navigating the college experience was fun for me,” Sousa said. “But I didn’t know things until after the fact, like my friends would know about college because they had family members that went to college, I didn’t.”

Meilin Reyes, a third-year first-generation college student, reflected on her experience applying to URI.

“My application process was actually kind of difficult,” Reyes said.

When applying for college, Reyes said she didn’t know what to put in each section of the application form and had no idea that she had to choose a financial package after her acceptance. As a first-generation student, the enrollment process was something she struggled with in particular.

“Nobody in my family had been to college and my guidance counselor at my high school wasn’t very helpful,” Reyes said.

Reyes also credited university scholarships, as well as other outside scholarships, as key parts of her tuition payment.

“The [Free Application for Federal Student Aid] was not acceptable for me,” Reyes said. “I relied on scholarships that the university could provide for me, or any other outside scholarships I’m eligible for.”

Scholarships through URI, outside organizations and additional government aid also helped in Reyes’ payment for college.

She also talked about her parents’ supportive, but limited, involvement in her application process.

“My parents were always big on getting an education and going to college, they were very supportive, even though they didn’t know much about it,” Reyes said.

According to Ashly Martinez, a second-year first-generation college student, asking for help was a crucial part in navigating college admissions.

“Being humble, learning to ask ‘I don’t know how to do this, can you teach me?’ has really opened a lot of doors for me,” Martinez said.

Ashly also said the URI admissions office, Talent Development Program and all academic advisors helped in her enrollment.

Rhody F1rst, an organization meant to raise awareness for first-generation college students, was present at the event to share the resources they offer to help assist students with enrollment.

Rosa Ciunci, an affiliate of Rhody F1rst, is also an undergraduate admissions advisor at URI and first-generation college student.

“We try to help students through the application process by offering them resources, such as college essay help and talking to them over the phone or on zoom, to help ease the scariness of an application process,” Ciunci said.

Lisa Giudici, the first-year experience coordinator and advisor for Rhody F1rst, was also present and spoke on the success of the event.

“Days like today wouldn’t be possible without both our student affairs and academic partners here, and it’s lovely to see them all here because they are first gen and consider why the work we do matters,” Giudici said.

It is important to create a sense of community for students and provide them with a supportive network, according to Giudici.

“Let’s bring these people together so we can be aware of and navigate different spaces and different things on campus,” Sousa said.

For more information about URI’s first-generation college students, visit the Division of Student Affairs section of the university’s website .