The annual First-Generation College Celebration is held on November 8, commemorating the signing of the 1965 Higher Education Act. This landmark legislation has been instrumental in supporting millions of first-generation students in their journey to persist and ultimately complete their degrees.
Middlesex Community College is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant for the 2026 First-Generation College Celebration initiative. This grant, provided by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and FirstGen Forward with support from TIAA, will enable Middlesex to further its commitment to supporting first-generation college students in our community.
"We are honored to accept the grant from FirstGen Forward and COE to implement our first-generation events at MCC," said Vannak Khin, MCC's TRIO Program Coordinator. "First-generation students must navigate their higher education journey and entry into professional life as the first in their families to achieve this feat. During the week, we invite alumni, faculty and industry professionals to share how their first-generation student experience helped them connect classroom learning to college and career success. We are excited that this grant will allow us to teach our entire MCC community how our first-gen community builds knowledge and resources and how our college community benefits from the experience and expertise of our most persistent students."
The First-Generation College Celebration, observed annually on November 8, highlights the experiences and achievements of first-generation students while addressing the systemic barriers they face in higher education. Launched by COE and FirstGen Forward in 2017, First-Generation College Celebration is now a marquee event at campuses across the country. By receiving this grant, MCC reaffirms its dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.
To celebrate, MCC will host several events between Tuesday, November 3 and Thursday, November 5. The kickoff event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lowell Cowan Center cafeteria. Members of MCC's leadership team and current students will speak on the Middlesex first-generation experience.
On Wednesday, November 4, a panel of four first-generation faculty will also present on how they navigated college and became the first faculty members in their families. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to noon in the Lowell cafeteria. An MCC alumni panel will follow from noon to 1 p.m., highlighting their stories. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., MCC's Transfer Advising team will hold a session on the transfer process and how to apply for scholarships in the Lowell cafeteria.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Lowell Cowan Center cafeteria, MCC will host the First in the Family Professional Night on November 5. The closing event will celebrate the experiences of current MCC first-generation students, including a keynote speaker, opportunities to take headshot photographs, and presentations by MCC's Office for Career Integrated Learning (OCIL).
"We are looking forward to collaborating with our Transfer Advising team and OCIL to learn how to plan a successful transition from an associate degree to life after MCC," Khin said.
Stephanie Bannister, Ph.D., President of FirstGen Forward, the center for first-generation student success, expressed her enthusiasm: "We are deeply grateful to partner with MCC and institutions across the country in advancing the success of first-generation college students. We extend our sincere appreciation to TIAA for their generous support of this grant – an opportunity to catalyze meaningful, lasting impact for students and the communities they call home."
What started as a one-day celebration has grown into week- and month-long momentum builders, leading to yearlong first-generation student success initiatives, from first-generation student conferences to faculty development, social media campaigns, and podcast series. This is the first time MCC has participated in the First-Generation College Celebration and looks forward to bringing greater visibility to first-generation students, staff, faculty and alumni.
The First-Generation College Celebration has united hundreds of college campuses across the country for an often-overlooked population through numerous events, including student rallies, faculty-led panel discussions, artistic performances, and more, in recognition of first-generation students, administrators, faculty and alumni.
Learn more about MCC's TRIO programs.
About MCC:
Middlesex Community College is proud to serve the communities of Greater Bedford and Lowell. One of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC meets each learner where they are. MCC celebrates 55+ years of impact and 10+ years as an Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander Serving Institution. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources.
About the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE):
The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) is a nonprofit organization established in 1981 dedicated to expanding college opportunities for low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Pacific Islands, and Puerto Rico. Its membership includes more than 1,000 colleges and agencies. Through its numerous membership services, the Council works with colleges, universities, and agencies to help low-income students enter college and graduate. Nearly a million low-income students and students with disabilities receive college access and retention services each year through our member colleges and agencies.
About FirstGen Forward
FirstGen Forward is the center for first-generation student success– your premier source for evidence-based approaches, data-informed strategies, professional development, and research. Together, we are building community and belonging through the FirstGen Forward Network, knowledge creation and evidence-based practices, and thought leadership and advocacy, transforming higher education and the student success landscape guided by a first-gen lens.
About TIAA
TIAA provides secure retirements and outcome-focused investment solutions to millions of people and thousands of institutions.i It paid more than $5.9 billion in lifetime income to retired clients in 2024ii and has $1.5 trillion in assets under management (as of 12/31/2025).iii
i. Based on data in PLANSPONSOR's 2025 DC Recordkeeping Survey published June 25, 2025.
ii. As of December 31,2024, TIAA paid out $5.9B in total annuity income. This figure represents all annuity income, including guaranteed and additional amounts, for all of TIAA's annuity products.
iii. As of December 31, 2025, assets under management across Nuveen Investments affiliates and TIAA investment management teams are $1,506 billion.
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