黑料正能量

黑料正能量鈥檚 Office of held the inaugural induction ceremony for , a national honor society for first-generation college students, on Monday, March 24. The ceremony welcomed 16 undergraduate students and six graduate students, recognizing their achievements as first-generation scholars. 

Two faculty members, , PhD, assistant professor in the , and , DPA, a postdoctoral research fellow in the , were also inducted into the society. As members, the pair will provide guidance and insight from their own college journey.  

鈥淚 am so elated to be inducted into Tri-Alpha,鈥� said Nettles. 鈥淚 see this as a golden opportunity to mentor individuals who are first-generation college students as I have been.鈥� 

, MSE coordinator, emphasized the importance of the honor society creating a space for first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni to be celebrated. 

鈥淭ri-Alpha allows students to come together and provide an intentional, special place where they can meet others in the first-generation community here at 黑料正能量,鈥� said Webber.   

Webber plans to incorporate student voices in the shaping of the organization and its role on campus. Members will attend monthly meetings, volunteer and receive the opportunity to apply for officer positions.  

Keisha Pettis-Gilmore, a second-year undergraduate student majoring in with a concentration in Spanish, joined Tri-Alpha and hopes to gain experience in leadership roles and contribute to the society鈥檚 long-term vision.  

鈥淭ri-Alpha benefits everyone as a whole, especially by honoring the first people to do such a great achievement,鈥� said Pettis-Gilmore. 鈥淔or many first-generation students, you don鈥檛 particularly know the type of support system they have at home. So, when they attend a school that finally recognizes them not just for their academic accomplishments but for their personal ones also, it reaffirms and gives them an extra boost of confidence.鈥�   

Jacque Copeland, a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in with a minor, joined for networking, leadership and mentorship opportunities, along with the increased access to resources.  

鈥淎s a first-generation college student, it can be mentally challenging to feel behind from not having certain information or knowledge of college life passed along,鈥� said Copeland. 鈥淲ith a community such as Tri-Alpha, it can provide additional support and purpose for sharing challenges and lessons with other first generations.鈥�   

The MSE office will notify qualifying students annually about joining. Undergraduate students must have at least 30 credit hours, a GPA of at least 3.2, and meet first-generation criteria. Graduate students must have completed the equivalent of at least one term of study (nine or more graduate credits), a GPA of at least 3.5 and meet first-generation criteria.聽聽

Alumni, faculty and staff interested in joining the Tri-Alpha Honor Society can contact the Multicultural Student Engagement office.