Meridian Community College: Celebrating First-Generation College Students

Press release from Meridian Community College:

November 8, 2021

Meridian Community College will host its first First-Generation Celebration on Monday,
Nov. 8.

“This event is not only for our students but also for our staff and community,” said
Ashley Tanksley, MCC director of admissions. “If you’re the first student in your
generation to go (to college), we’re celebrating you,” she said.

A reception will get underway at 10:30 a.m. in the Quave Student Life Center. Light
refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be awarded.

Tanksley noted that many students face obstacles getting into college and don’t know
how to navigate the collegiate waters. “It’s our job to educate them. We want to take
the opportunity to say congratulations. We know where you’ve been, but you can keep
moving forward,” she said.

Nov. 8 is National First-Generation College Celebration Day. The day marks the anniversary
of when President Lyndon Johnson signed the landmark Higher Education Act in 1965.

This press release was produced by Meridian Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.