Piedmont Community College (PCC) recently celebrated the remarkable journeys of first-generation college students with an inspiring panel discussion and a celebration dinner.
The panel held on November 5, titled “The Pacer View,” featured PCC students Makayla Woods, Sherell Haskins, Maritsa Gonzalez and Thomas Rice along with Dr. Kevin Lee, PCC president. The panel was moderated by Chris S. Davis, PCC director/instructor, information technology. The panel shared what motivated them to attend college and about the support they received along the way.
On November 6, PCC honored first-generation students with their fifth annual celebration dinner featuring live music from Kyle Moore and guest speaker Wynette Richardson. As an educator and speaker, Richardson spoke about her experience of being a first-generation college student and about the importance of perseverance.
Three $250 scholarships were awarded to students Thomas Williams, Hayley Jolly and Makayla Woods from employee contributions to the PCC Foundation. As part of the first-generation festivities, PCC held its first social media contest for first-generation students. First place was awarded to Clay Jolly for having the highest engagement on his first-gen social media post, second place was awarded to Rosalind Cross, third place was awarded to Sherell Haskins and honorable mentions were awarded to Lisa Neely and Vennesa Williams.
“First-generation college students bring resilience, talent and fresh perspectives that strengthen our campus community,” Dr. Shelly Stone-Moye, PCC student development vice president, said. “Celebrating them reminds us how important it is to support and honor their journey.”
Both the panel and dinner were hosted by PCC’s Student Development, Student Engagement and TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) in conjunction with the First-Gen Planning Committee. In its five year history, this year’s dinner had the highest attendance.
The EOC is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Education and exists to assist adults 19 and older with college access. They meet participants wherever they are on their journey to higher education. The EOC also provides academic advisement, career workshops, information on post-secondary educational opportunities, and free assistance with completing applications for college admission, testing and financial aid. Visit piedmontcc.edu/trio for more information.
Recent Comments