When Cici Salazar began her undergraduate education at Elon University in 2019, the school had just begun offering focused support services to first-generation students through the Center for Access and Success. Seven years later, Salazar is graduating with a Master of Arts in Higher Education and received her first-generation stole after planning the past two years’ ceremonies.
“It has almost doubled in size, ever since I've been here in undergrad and grad school, and it has just been really magnificent to see how first generations show up for one another,” Salazar said. “Seeing them succeed and get these college degrees, no matter what the barriers that they have to push through.”
Elon University’s First Generation Stole Ceremony took place in McKinnon Hall on May 20, and recognized students whose parents or legal guardians have not earned a four-year degree. The event honored 69 students, including 10 graduate students, the largest first-gen class to date.
Student keynote speaker, exercise science major Asia Green, reassured first-generation graduates that they deserve a seat at the table.
“I remember walking into some of my STEM courses and being the only Black student in the room,” Green said “It made me wonder, ‘Am I smart enough to be here? Do I really belong in this space, and can I actually succeed here?’ I'm pretty sure we have all experienced moments like these where you felt uncomfortable, overwhelmed and unsure of your path. But we stayed at Elon, and we embraced our growth through discomfort.”
Green has been accepted into a doctoral occupational therapy program and encouraged fellow graduates to keep pushing past fear.
“My time at Elon taught me that where you come from does not define where you're going,” Green said. “Your background may shake you, but it does not limit you. Many of us here today are proof of that.”
Graduates’ names were announced by three members of the Elon staff and faculty who were themselves first-generation college students — counselor Bonny Buckley, assistant professor of education Stephanie Hernandez Rivera and director of Elon 1010 Brandy Propst. Students were then presented with their first-generation stole, designed by senior Daisy Martinez-Jimenez, and an Elon lapel pin from the Office of Alumni Engagement.
Director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center Luis Garay delivered a charge to graduates centered around mentorship, sharing knowledge and paying it forward.
“First-generation college students are some of the most brilliant people I know for their ability to navigate multiple systems when they arrive at college, learn essentially a new language on how to be successful and make it to the end of their college career,” Garay said. “Higher education is not always easy to navigate if you are the first person in your family to attend.”
Garay asked graduates to remain mentors for future first-generation students at Elon.
“Maybe there will be a future first-generation student here at Elon, and they’ll write to you on LinkedIn,” Garay said. “They’re going to ask for your advice about how to score an internship or just want to talk to you about your career. My invitation to you is to write back to that person. Make time to talk to them, offer your advice, your wisdom.”
Finally, Salazar and assistant director of first-generation student support services Kenneth Brown presented the 1891 Awards, named for the first graduating class of Elon.
Students Daniella Alonzo Lopez, Selma Marić, Emily Nicole Menjivar and Jo-Rae Bell Jennings were recognized for empowerment, passion, community and authenticity, respectively. Associate vice president for student life Jana Lynn Patterson and associate professor of physical therapy education Paula DiBiasio received awards for celebrating and uplifting first-generation students.
After the ceremony, graduating senior Caden Minnich said he resonated with Garay’s message to give back to future first-generation students.
“I think paying it forward is huge,” Minnich said. “That’s how I live my life and hearing it on that stage, especially for first-gen students, it’s super important.”
Salazar also said she values passing on her knowledge to the next generation of students and reflected on her time at Elon and with First Generation Student Support Services.
“It started with just one person in a small office, with barely any budget, and seeing it grow throughout the years — the budget, the resources, the students — has been really great and amazing,” Salazar said. “I think there's still a lot of work to be done, but I'm excited to see where it goes.”